Cordillera Real La Paz to Coroico Yungas Death Road Extended Circuit
Extended Death Road circuit through Cordillera Real
Beyond the tourist-packed Death Road lies a 320-kilometer network of mining access roads threading through Bolivia’s Cordillera Real, where the main La Paz-Coroico route was carved from cliff faces in the 1930s by Paraguayan prisoners of war. This extended circuit includes the original Camino de la Muerte plus remote branches to Chulumani and Irupana, climbing from La Paz’s 3500-meter altiplano through the Cumbre pass at 4650 meters before plunging into subtropical yungas valleys. Ancient coca terraces built by pre-Columbian cultures still feed local markets, while rusted mining equipment from failed gold ventures dot the mountainsides.
Difficult terrain demands experienced drivers with proper 4WD — this isn’t the sanitized tourist route. Narrow single-lane sections with 500-meter drops have no guardrails, and frequent fog reduces visibility to meters. Dry season (May-September) offers best conditions, but even then expect afternoon cloud buildup and sudden weather changes. Carry emergency supplies, GPS backup, and inform someone of your route as cell coverage is nonexistent. The reward is experiencing authentic Bolivian mountain culture away from crowds, with stunning transitions from high-altitude páramo to lush coffee country.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Rock |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 199 mi / 320 km |
| Duration | 4-5 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 15256 ft |
| Best season | May-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Capable 4WD with low range |
| Nearest town | La Paz, La Paz |
| Land manager | ABC Bolivia |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| 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
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Land Cruiser or Patrol handle this, or does it need to be built?
A stock 4WD with low range and decent ground clearance can complete this circuit, but high-clearance with all-terrain tires is strongly preferred. The technical rock sections and mud in the Yungas descent will punish street tires and low-clearance rigs hard. Lockers or a limited-slip rear will save you on the loose, off-camber stuff.
What happens if you attempt this outside May–September?
October through April is the wet season, and the Yungas sections become genuinely dangerous — landslides close sections without warning, and the Death Road's clay surface turns into a greased skid pad above the cliffs. Several sections become impassable even for capable 4WDs during heavy rain months.
Do you need any special permits or park entry fees for this route?
There are no formal permit requirements for the circuit as a whole, but entry into certain protected zones along the Cordillera Real may require registration with local authorities or ABC Bolivia. Carry your vehicle documents and passport — there are occasional checkpoints, and being a foreigner in a foreign-plated vehicle will get you scrutinized.
What's the hardest section and what makes it dangerous?
The Yungas descent on the historic Death Road is the crux — single-lane cliff-edge track with sheer drops of 600+ meters, no guardrails, and oncoming traffic from cyclists and local trucks. Width is tight enough that one poorly judged line puts your wheels over the edge. Go slow, communicate clearly with oncoming traffic, and hug the mountain side regardless of traffic conventions.
Is there any fuel or resupply between La Paz and Coroico on this extended circuit?
Fuel is available in La Paz at the start and in Coroico near the end, but the 320km route through the Cordillera Real has zero guaranteed fuel stops in between. Carry enough extra fuel for at least 150–200km of low-gear, high-altitude driving, which will destroy your mileage. Water crossings are present throughout, but treat all water before drinking — there's mining activity along several sections of the route.
Trail track
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