What is the Qhapaq Ñan?
Quick answer
The Qhapaq Ñan (“Royal Road” in Quechua) is the vast road network built by the Inca Empire. It stretched about 30,000 km (18,600 miles) across the Andes, through what are now Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina and Colombia. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014.
An engineering marvel
The Incas built their roads without wheels, iron tools or draft horses. Even so, the network crossed some of the world’s most difficult terrain:
| Challenge | Inca solution |
|---|---|
| Steep mountains | Stone staircases and switchbacks |
| Deep gorges | Rope suspension bridges woven from grass |
| Wet ground | Raised roads with drainage channels |
| Deserts | Roads marked with stone walls and posts |
| Long distances | Tambos, rest stations about a day’s walk apart |
The main routes ran north to south along the Andes and along the coast, linked by many cross roads.
Who used the roads?
The roads were mainly for the state: armies, officials, and llama caravans carrying goods. Ordinary people needed permission to travel. Messages were carried by relay runners called chasquis, who could carry news about 240 km (150 miles) a day. Records were kept on quipus, knotted strings, since the Incas had no written script.
The last Inca bridge
The Q’eswachaka bridge over the Apurímac River in Peru is still rebuilt every year by local Quechua communities, using traditional grass ropes. The ceremony is recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Walking it today
The most famous section is the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, a hike of about 4 days and 43 km. Permits are limited and must be booked months in advance.
The Inca Empire was the largest in the Americas before the Spanish conquest in the 1530s. For another ancient empire’s achievements, see the first emperor of China. The Andes are also home to South America’s highest mountain.
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