Death Road (North Yungas Road)
Bolivia, south-america
64 km
4,650 m
extreme
May to October (dry season)
North Yungas Road, universally known as the "Death Road," is a 64-kilometer route connecting La Paz to Coroico in the Yungas region of Bolivia. Carved into the side of the Cordillera Oriental mountain range, the road descends from 4,650 meters at La Cumbre pass to around 1,200 meters in the subtropical Yungas, dropping through multiple climate zones in a single journey. The Inter-American Development Bank christened it "the world's most dangerous road" in 1995, when an estimated 200 to 300 travelers died annually along its length.
The most dangerous section is a single-lane dirt track just 3.2 meters wide, with sheer cliff drops of up to 600 meters on one side and no guardrails. Vehicles traveling downhill are required to drive on the outside edge (the cliff side) to give uphill traffic better visibility, meaning the driver has no view of the road edge. Fog, rain, and mudslides are common, and the surface shifts from rock to mud without warning. Crosses and memorials mark the spots where buses and trucks have plunged into the abyss.
Since 2006, a modern bypass road has diverted most vehicular traffic away from the old Death Road, and the route has been reborn as one of the world's most popular mountain biking experiences. Thousands of adventure tourists each year ride the 64-kilometer descent on bicycles, a thrilling journey that takes about three to four hours. While the road is far safer without heavy truck traffic, accidents still occur, and several cyclists have died on the route. The contrast between the freezing summit and the lush tropical vegetation at the bottom makes for an extraordinary sensory experience.
Where is it?
Death Road (North Yungas Road) is located in Yungas, Bolivia (south-america). Coordinates: -16.3000, -68.0167
Driving Tips
Most visitors now cycle the road with a guided tour operator. Drive or ride on the left (cliff side) when descending. Wet season (November to March) increases the danger. Bring warm clothes for the summit.
Road Surface
Gravel and dirt
Road Details
- Country
- Bolivia
- Continent
- south-america
- Region
- Yungas
- Length
- 64 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,650 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Surface
- Gravel and dirt
- Best Season
- May to October (dry season)
- Coordinates
- -16.3000, -68.0167
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