Reconocimiento, accesibilidad y conservación del entorno natural del sendero Guagualzhumi–Paccha, ubicado en la zona periurbana del sur de la ciudad de Cuenca

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.