Conquer the World’s Most Dangerous Road in La Paz

September 1, 2014 Pirwa

La Paz offers thrills ranging from mountain climbing to bridge swinging, but the city’s most popular extreme excursion is downhill mountain biking along the Yungas Road to Coroico. Once you’ve experienced the road’s sharp curves, looked down its endlessly steep drops, and ridden through waterfalls, you’ll understand why the Inter-American Development Bank once declared it the world’s most dangerous road.

The road was originally constructed in the 1930s, to connect the city of La Paz with the Bolivian Amazon. The work was done by Paraguayan prisoners of the Chaco War. The road boasted and continues to boast amazing scenic views, but it quickly became infamous as Death Road due to a staggering amount of fatal accidents. Luckily, an alternative route caused the road to fall into disuse for auto transit. These days, the road is mostly used by bikers from around the world, seeking thrills, a beautiful landscape, and bragging rights.

Excursions begin with a pickup from your hostel in La Paz and transport to La Cumbre, where the ride begins at a spot offering views of the surrounding snow-covered peaks. From the cold Bolivian altiplano, at vertiginous 15,000+ feet above sea level, you descend 3,500m at high speed into the dense vegetation of the jungle. The route takes a little more than five hours, including stops for photos, rests, and snacking.

If you choose a reputable tour operator, you can enjoy the beauty of the road while letting someone else worry about maintaining elite equipment as well as well-trained guides knowledgeable in rescue, bike repair and first aid.

The ride ends at the tiny town of Yolosa,although you ascend by car to nearby Coroico in order to enjoy a delicious buffet lunch and a refreshing swim. At 4:00pm, you’ll head back to La Paz by car, but on a much calmer road!