The Incan ruins on Isla Del Sol draw many visitors to the Peru-Bolivia border. We definitely recommend a trip to Isla Del Sol, but you don’t have to leave the shores of Lake Titicaca to experience some of the ancient wonders of Bolivia’s altiplano. On a hilltop above Copacabana sits La Horca Del Inca. The Spanish who came across this structure many years ago thought the pillars were gallows used by the Inca. However, La Horca Del Inca was actually a site of astronomical studies for pre-Incan cultures.
While these ruins are not incredibly spectacular, the structures are interesting to see if you have time in Copacabana and the views of Lake Titicaca from the hilltop are wonderful. We found this short hike to be a fun half-day activity before our bus to Cusco.
Finding the Trail to La Horca Del Inca
La Horca Del Inca can be easily accessed on foot from Copacabana. From the east side of Basilica de Nuestra Señora de Copacabana, head directly south down Calle Murillo towards the edge of town. You will cross Calle Potosí and Ruta Nacional 2 (also known as Avenida Tejada). Soon after crossing Ruta Nacional 2, there will be a stairway on your left. There is a sign marking the way to the ruins. At this point, you will be at the base of the climb.
Near the beginning of the trail, there is a small round building where you pay 10 Bolivianos for entry. We had heard that there may be other individuals that will try to charge you along the trail. This is a scam. Only pay the official at the trailhead.
Hiking to La Horca Del Inca
From the building at the trailhead, the path leads up the hill. The climb is short, but somewhat steep. As you continue, the path becomes a little fainter. If you think you’ve lost the trail, don’t worry. Just keep heading upwards towards the rock field. There are some fun rocks to scramble on as you make your way up.
The ruins sit below the crest of the hill. The structure isn’t very obvious from below, but among the rocks, you will see a couple stone pillars that have withstood time. There is no signage marking the structure or explaining its significance.
From here, we continued up a ways, climbing some rocks as we went. It was very windy that day, so we found a sheltered spot to admire the views before heading back.
The hike from the stairway off Calle Murillo to La Horca Del Inca is just over a quarter mile (0.4 kilometers). If you want to hike to the top of the hill, it is only about another 0.2 miles. In total, we hiked about a mile (1.6 kilometers). The hike is somewhat steep, but the pretty views and short distance make it a great quick activity.
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