How Hard Is the Short Inca Trail? Difficulty, Elevation & Training Tips

Quick answer: the Short Inca Trail is a moderate hike. You walk about 11 km (6.8 miles) in 6 to 8 hours, with an elevation gain of around 550 m (1,800 ft) and many uneven Inca stairs. The highest point is only 2,720 m (8,924 ft), lower than Cusco, so altitude is rarely the problem. With average fitness and two days of acclimatization in Cusco, most travelers finish it comfortably.

New to the trail? Start with our complete Short Inca Trail guide, and check the live permit availability before you choose your date.

The Short Inca Trail in numbers

• Distance: about 11 km (6.8 miles) from Km 104 to Machu Picchu.
• Hiking time: 6 to 8 hours, including visits and breaks.
• Start: Km 104, about 2,170 m (7,120 ft).
• Highest point: Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), 2,720 m (8,924 ft).
• Total elevation gain: about 550 m (1,800 ft).
• End: Machu Picchu, 2,430 m (7,972 ft).

What makes it hard

The climb to Wiñay Wayna

The first part of the hike, from Km 104 to Wiñay Wayna, is where you gain most of the altitude: almost 500 m in about 7 km. It is a steady climb with long sections of stone steps, in the warm and humid air of the cloud forest. Go slowly, drink water and use the breaks your guide makes along the way.

The Inca stairs

The stairs are the real challenge. They are original stonework: uneven, sometimes high and narrow, and slippery when wet. They are tiring on the way up and hard on the knees on the way down. Trekking poles help a lot, especially on the descents.

A long day

The day starts very early in Cusco, includes a train ride and ends in Aguas Calientes in the late afternoon. The distance is short, but you are on your feet most of the day.

What makes it easier

• Low altitude: the whole trail is lower than Cusco (about 3,400 m), so if you are already acclimatized in Cusco, the hike feels easier than you expect.
• Only one day of hiking: day 2 is the guided visit of Machu Picchu, with no big climbs.
• A hotel, not a tent: you sleep in a hotel in Aguas Calientes, with a hot shower and a bed.
• A light daypack: you only carry water, snacks, rain gear and your passport; extra luggage stays in Cusco.
• Small groups: our groups have a maximum of 8 travelers, so the guide can set the pace for the group instead of the other way round.

Can kids and older travelers do it?

Yes, it is one of the most family-friendly ways to hike to Machu Picchu. There is no official age limit, but we recommend a minimum age of 7 because of the steep stairs. Older travelers who walk regularly usually do well, especially with trekking poles and a slow pace. The trail is not suitable for wheelchairs, and we do not recommend it for travelers with serious back problems. More in our family guide to the Short Inca Trail.

Short Inca Trail vs. the other Inca Trail options

The Short Inca Trail is easier than the Classic Inca Trail in 4 days, which crosses Dead Woman’s Pass at 4,215 m and covers about 40 km with three nights of camping. The 1-day Inca Trail follows the same route as the short trail, but you return to Cusco the same day, which makes the day even longer.

Difficulty compared: 1-day, Short, Classic and Choquequirao

If you are choosing between treks around Cusco, these are the numbers that decide how hard each one feels. Figures come from the routes we operate.

The Short and 1-day Inca Trails are the same hike: what changes is the length of the day. The Classic route is harder because of altitude and distance. Choquequirao is harder still because of the canyon: you descend more than 1,300 m to the Apurímac river twice and climb back out each time. Read more in our Choquequirao trek guide.

How to prepare

1. Acclimatize: spend at least two days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before the hike.
2. Train for stairs: in the 4 to 6 weeks before your trip, take the stairs whenever you can and do a few walks of 3 to 4 hours, ideally with hills.
3. Break in your shoes: hike in the shoes you will use on the trail, never in new ones.
4. Bring trekking poles: they protect your knees on the descents.
5. Pack light: porters are not included, so keep your daypack light.

Want a week-by-week plan? Our complete Short Inca Trail guide includes a simple 6-week training plan with stairs, hill hikes and strength exercises for the descents.

Is it harder in the rainy season?

The route is the same all year, but the conditions change:

• Dry season (April to October): firmer steps and more sun. Mornings are cool and the middle of the day can be hot on the climb, so start slowly and protect yourself from the sun.
• Rainy season (November to March): the stone steps get wet and slippery, and you hike in a rain jacket. Walk more slowly on the descents and use trekking poles with rubber tips.
• February: the Inca Trail is closed for maintenance.

Rain does not change the distance or the climbing, but it adds time. Plan for the longer end of the 6 to 8 hours.

On the day: tips from our guides

• Start slowly: the first hour sets the pace for the whole day.
• Drink small amounts of water often and eat the snacks from your lunch box during breaks.
• Take the stairs one at a time and use your hands on the steepest sections.
• Wear layers: it is warm in the cloud forest and cooler at the Sun Gate in the afternoon.
• Tell your guide early if you feel unwell; guides carry a first aid kit and emergency oxygen.

Ready to hike? Permits included Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: 2 Days / 1 Night 2 Days · From $569 See itinerary & dates →

Frequently asked questions

Is the Short Inca Trail harder than Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu?

They are different. Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain are shorter but much steeper climbs. The Short Inca Trail is longer but more gradual, with a total gain of about 550 m.

Can a beginner hike the Short Inca Trail?

Yes, if you walk regularly and take it slowly. It is the easiest way to hike the Inca Trail with an overnight stay.

Will I get altitude sickness on the Short Inca Trail?

It is unlikely if you have acclimatized in Cusco, because the trail is lower than the city. Its highest point, the Sun Gate, is at 2,720 m.

Is the trail dangerous?

No, but it requires care: the stairs are uneven and can be slippery when it rains. Walk at your own pace and follow your guide’s instructions.

How long does it take to hike the Short Inca Trail?

Most groups take 6 to 8 hours from Km 104 to the Sun Gate and Machu Picchu, including the visits to Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna, lunch and breaks.

How fit do I need to be?

You need average fitness: if you can walk 3 to 4 hours with some hills or stairs and still feel fine the next day, you are ready. You do not need trekking experience.

Is the 1-day Inca Trail harder than the Short Inca Trail?

The trail is identical. The 1-day version feels harder because you also visit Machu Picchu and return to Cusco the same night, so the whole day lasts 16 to 18 hours.

Is the Short Inca Trail easier than the Classic Inca Trail and Choquequirao?

Yes, much easier. The Classic route climbs to 4,215 m and covers about 40 km in 4 days. Choquequirao covers about 40 km with around 2,900 m of climbing. The Short Inca Trail is 11 km with about 550 m of climbing.

Can I do the Short Inca Trail with bad knees?

Many people do. The hardest part for knees is the descent from the Sun Gate to Machu Picchu. Use trekking poles with rubber tips, take the steps one at a time and tell us in advance so your guide can plan extra breaks.

How should I train for the Short Inca Trail?

Focus on stairs and hill walks for 4 to 6 weeks, in the shoes you will hike in. Our complete guide has a 6-week training plan.