How Hard Is The 4 Day Inca Trail?
Is the 4 Day Inca Trail really that hard?
This hiking route can certainly put us through our paces, and especially so given it’s a multi-day hike up in the higher altitudes of the Peruvian Andes. However many do worry if it is really that hard, and if they’ll be able to make it all the way along to Machu Picchu.
In this guide we’ll cover everything you need to know about how hard the 4 day Inca Trail is. This includes whether you need to be fit, how to prepare as well as answering any other questions you may have in our FAQ section.
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How Hard Is The 4 Day Inca Trail?
Quick Answer: This trek has a moderate difficulty rating, although the vast majority of hikers complete the 4 Day Inca Trail with little issues.
Whilst the consecutive days of hiking may worry some, you’ll actually wake up well-rested after a night in our comfortable tents. The second day is definitely the biggest challenge though, where you will need to slow down and take several breaks (here you will be climbing up to Dead Woman’s Pass and potentially through the Runkurakay Pass too).
Overall it depends on each individual, and their level of current fitness and preparation. Those who bring quality hiking gear and adjust to the altitude prior will definitely find it easier. Being in good shape is an important factor too, which we’ll now cover in more detail below.
Do You Have To Be Fit To Do The Inca Trail?
Being prepared physically before hiking the Inca Trail is important, but you don’t need to be an exceptional athlete or marathon runner to do so.
It’s a good idea to follow a training plan for the prior months to taking on the 4 Day Inca Trail hike. This includes walking for longer distances, as well as hiking on uneven terrains and slopes to get used to walking longer on more difficult gradients (such as over hills and through forests).
More importantly though is your own experience hiking the Inca Trail. If you’re fit before coming then you’ll have better memories of the scenery and local ruins, whilst if unfit you may feel like you’re being punished at times. At the end of the day the choice is yours – however we definitely prefer the former!
4 Day Inca Trail Difficulty FAQ
Below we’ll now answer some of the biggest questions we get from readers regarding the difficulty of the 4 Day Inca Trail.
What Is The Hardest Day Of The Inca Trail?
Overall the second day tends to be the most difficult of the 4 day Inca Trail hike. This is because we will need to ascend up to Dead Woman’s Pass – which means a lot of steps as well as within higher altitudes. Walking down the other side (towards Runkurakay) is also quite a physically-demanding stretch.
How Difficult Is The Inca Trail For Beginners?
Again it really depends on your preparation. If you’re a beginner and have prepared properly, then you’ll have minimal discomforts and can really enjoy the hiking route. The same goes the other way too – in that pros who haven’t prepared well may find it difficult in certain parts.
Is The Inca Trail Harder Than Kilimanjaro
Whilst we haven’t personally hiked Kilimanjaro, many of our past clients have and have said that the African peak is much harder than the Inca Trail. This is due to the fact that you’ll be hiking at much higher altitudes here (up to 5895m, whilst the highest point of the Inca Trail is at 4215m).
How Hard Is The 4 Day Inca Trail?
And that’s all for our guide on how hard the 4 Day Inca Trail is.
Widely regarded as one of the most impressive hikes you can head on in South America, the Inca Trail is no easy feat. However as we have seen in this guide, it really isn’t that difficult either given you prepare properly and make sure you are in a decent physical condition beforehand.
You can read our Ultimate Inca Trail Guide for more advice on how to properly prepare for the Inca Trail.