More Than 2.5 Kilometers of Hidden Inca Trails Discovered Near Machu Picchu
Researchers have identified more than 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles) of previously undocumented pre-Hispanic trails near Machu Picchu, uncovering a new section of the ancient road network that linked the Inca citadel to its surrounding landscape. Researchers detected the routes in the Mandor Wall sector, east of the Machu Picchu citadel, during archaeological reconnaissance in Jul. […]
Researchers have uncovered more than 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles) of previously unknown pre-Hispanic trails near Machu Picchu. The ancient road network connects the Inca citadel to the surrounding landscape. The discovery was made during an archaeological reconnaissance in Mandor Wall sector, east of Machu Picchu, in July 2026. The team used LiDAR technology to map terrain hidden beneath dense vegetation.
While approximately 1.2 kilometers (0.75 miles) of these paths exhibit characteristics of Inca engineering, further fieldwork is needed to confirm their age, function, and state of preservation.
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