Aguas Calientes to Hidroelectrica Hike

Aguas Calientes is the gateway town to Machu Picchu. Most visitors to the iconic Inca ruins spend at least one night here after arriving by train from Ollantaytambo. The railroad is in fact the only vehicular access to this place, which is tucked beside a whitewater river between near-vertical, thickly forested mountains. The tracks continue through Aguas Calientes toward the next-closest populated place, Hidroelectrica ("Hidro" for short), which is 10.5 kilometers by rail to the west.

Pedestrian traffic along the tracks is allowed, and the section beyond Aguas Calientes makes a nice day hike if you have time to spare, and if you don't mind the occasional clattering of a passing train. This rail corrider is in fact the way that many locals and tourists alike reach Aguas Calientes after driving to Hidro. It is also the final section of the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu.

Hidro is on the far side of Machu Picchu Mountain and around a long bend in the river gorge. The gorge is walled by black and yellow-streaked walls of granite and draped in jungle greenery. The river tumbles over boulders down below and a thick canopy closes overhead. If you continue far enough around the river bend, you can look up to see the terraces and walls of Machu Picchu perched high in the sky atop a huge and impassible vertical cliff.

The best scenery is within the first 5 kilometers from Aguas Calientes, so you can turn around once you've had a satisfying glimpse of the distant ruins. The bridge over the river makes a good turnaround point. If you continue all the way to Hidro, you'll find several small shops and restaurants surrounding the terminus of the railway. There are a few restaurants and rest stops along the tracks before Hidro as well, however. To Hidro and back to Aguas Calientes is a hike of more than 20 kilometers, but it's not strenuous.

Do this hike early in the day for pleasant temperatures, a better chance of spotting birds and other wildlife, and few people. The route can get pretty busy around midday with walkers coming from Hidro. Begin the hike by walking the dirt road from Aguas Calientes toward Machu Picchu, but take the right fork before reaching the park entrance. This leads to the railroad tracks, which you'll then follow for the remainder of the way.