| dc.description.abstract | Trails, emerging over time without formal planning, have played diverse
roles in the Equatorial Andes during the pre-Hispanic period. In particular,
the trail that crosses the Guagualzhumi hill, with its historical importance
and natural environment rich in biodiversity, becomes the focus of this
research. Since the pre-Hispanic period, the trails have served various administrative,
religious, military and economic purposes, connecting different areas of the
Andina region. In this research, a description of the historical background of
the Guagualzhumi -Paccha trail is made, from its origin to its relationship
with the Qhapaq Ñan, in order to understand its role within this pre-Hispanic
road system that crossed the territories of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile,
Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, which includes several Andean cities, among
which Tomebamba (current city of Cuenca) stands out. It is important to
note that this trail was considered to be of lesser traffic compared to other
routes, and played a significant role in this road system as it was used
mainly for military purposes by the pre-Hispanic settlements. The Guagualzhumi hill offers a large number of panoramic views and is home to rich native vegetation and fauna. In this research, a reconnaissance
and description of the current state of the trail that crosses it is carried out,
with the intention of obtaining a more detailed vision of the natural
environment and defining the areas that require greater intervention. This
will allow us to propose strategies to improve the mobility and accessibility
of the trail, while at the same time preserving its natural environment. From
this context, the research focuses on the analysis of accessibility and
mobility to the Guagualzhumi - Paccha trail, which is considered a highaltitude
sanctuary with important archeological evidence. | |
