The ancient empire known for its road system and Inca Trail is the Incan Empire. Flourishing in the 15th and 16th centuries in what is now Peru, the Incas established an extensive network of roads, known as the Qhapaq Ñan, connecting their vast empire, which stretched along the western coast of South America. This infrastructure facilitated trade, military movement, and communication across diverse terrains, from mountains to deserts. The Inca Trail remains a significant archaeological and cultural symbol, reflecting the ingenuity of Incan engineering and their ability to unify a large, diverse population under a centralized rule.