Death Road La Paz to Coroico
World's most dangerous road
The old Yungas Road earned its grim nickname honestly — this single-lane dirt shelf carved into vertical cloud forest cliffs has claimed thousands of lives. Starting at 15,260-foot La Cumbre pass, you descend through every ecosystem Bolivia offers, from alpine tundra to steaming jungle. The narrowest sections barely fit one vehicle, with 2,000-foot drops and no guardrails, just wooden crosses marking where trucks went over the edge.
Expert difficulty requiring nerves of steel and perfect vehicle control. High-clearance 4WD with good brakes essential — many sections are one-way downhill only. Dry season (May-October) safer but still treacherous; wet season adds mudslides and zero visibility. No permits but inform authorities of travel plans. What you earn is bragging rights for surviving the world’s most dangerous road, plus stunning transitions from Altiplano to Amazon basin in a single day’s drive.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 43 mi / 69 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 15260 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | La Paz, Bolivia |
| Land manager | ABC Bolivia |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
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