Ruta del Che — Vallegrande to La Higuera via the Bolivian Guerrilla Trail
Che's last road. Still as raw as the history.
In October 1967, Che Guevara was captured and executed in La Higuera — a village so remote it barely shows up on maps. The dirt road connecting Vallegrande to La Higuera threads through the dry quebradas and pine-scrub ridges of Bolivia’s Santa Cruz Department, climbing and dropping over corrugated red-earth tracks that haven’t changed much since the Bolivian Army dragged a wounded revolutionary through them. The laundry at Vallegrande hospital where Guevara’s body was displayed is still there, as is the old schoolhouse in La Higuera where he was shot. The drive itself is a series of steep switchbacks, creek crossings, and long exposed ridge traversals with views out over the Serranía del Chaco that most tourists never see.
This is a moderate-to-difficult track depending on season — dry season (May to October) makes it manageable in a high-clearance 4WD, but wet season turns the clay to axle-deep soup and is not recommended without serious recovery gear. The route is roughly 70 km one-way from Vallegrande with no fuel or services between. Carry water and food. La Higuera has a small museum and basic accommodation. No permit required. The history is complicated, but the road is real, the landscape is wild, and it’s one of Bolivia’s most underrated overland runs.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 43 mi / 70 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 8900 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Vallegrande, Santa Cruz Department |
| Land manager | Bolivian Ministry of Public Works and Services |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Hilux or 4Runner run this trail without modifications?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a Hilux, 4Runner, or Land Cruiser will handle it fine. Lifted rigs aren't required, but all-terrain tires are strongly advisable — the clay sections turn brutal when wet and will swallow street tires.
What happens if you try to run this trail in November or April?
The rainy season (November–April) turns the clay and dirt sections into axle-deep mud that will stop most vehicles cold. May through October is the reliable window — July and August are the driest and most predictable months.
Do you need a permit or pay any fees to drive this route?
No permit or trail fee is required to drive the route itself. If you stop at the La Higuera museum or the Che Guevara memorial site, there may be a small local entry donation requested, but it's informal and minimal.
What's the hardest section and what actually makes it difficult?
The descent into the La Higuera valley is the crux — steep, loose, and narrow with limited room to recover if you get off-line. At 8,900 ft max elevation, the air is thin enough that turbocharged rigs will notice a power drop on the climbs; naturally aspirated engines will feel it more.
Is there any place to resupply fuel or water between Vallegrande and La Higuera?
No fuel stops exist on the route — top off completely in Vallegrande before you leave. Water sources are scarce and unreliable; carry at least 10 liters per person. Dispersed camping is wide open along the route, but you're fully self-sufficient from the moment you leave town.
Trail track
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