The 'Stairs of Death' or the ‘Hike of Death’ are a section of granite steps built by the Incas, which lead to the top of Huayna Picchu in the Machu Picchu site. These stairs are characterized by being steep and difficult to climb. The distance round trip is 4 kilometers or (2.5 mi) with a top elevation of 2,693 meters or (8,835 ft). In addition, the stairs are on the edge of cliff views. However, despite its name, no tourist has lost his life there.
Huayna Picchu is the mountain behind the famous Machu Picchu citadel in Cusco, Peru, which was home to the Incas in the 15th century.
This mountain is sometimes confused with Montana Machu Picchu, which is another nearby peak you can hike, but Huayna is actually the iconic mountain you see directly behind the ruins when you first enter Machu Picchu and stand at the famous viewpoint.
The name ‘Wayna Picchu’ comes from the Quechua language, meaning ‘young mountain’ (‘wayna’ is young and ‘picchu’ is mountain). ‘Huayna Picchu’ is an alternative spelling for the same name.