Camino de la Muerte — La Paz to Coroico via the North Yungas Death Road
The road that earned its name in blood.
Before the bypass opened in 2006, this was the only road connecting La Paz to the Yungas jungle lowlands — and it killed hundreds of people a year. The original Camino de la Muerte descends from La Cumbre Pass at 15,260 feet through sheer fog, single-lane cliff ledges, and cascading waterfalls that pour directly onto the road surface. Vehicles drive left-hand side so the outer wheel stays visible to the driver — a survival rule, not courtesy. Key waypoints include the La Cumbre glacier views, the Río Coroico crossing at the bottom, and the hairpin squeeze past Yolosa where the pavement finally returns. Most of the classic section is now used by mountain bikers and the occasional 4×4 with nerve.
This is not a trail for novices or unprepared rigs. The road is active, unpaved, often cloud-obscured, and has no guardrails for the majority of its length — the drop is several thousand feet. A true high-clearance 4WD with good brakes, a snorkel, and a recovery kit is the minimum. The dry season runs May through October; wet season turns sections into waterfalls and the clay into grease. No permit required but check road status with local guides in La Paz before departure. Fuel in La Paz; none on the road itself. What you get is one of the most visceral, vertigo-inducing drives on the planet.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 38 mi / 61 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 15260 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with good brakes and snorkel |
| Nearest town | La Paz, Bolivia |
| Land manager | Bolivian Road Authority (ABC) / Coroico Municipality |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | Bolivia Road Authority |
| 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
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
What's the minimum vehicle setup to drive the Death Road — can I do it in a rented Land Cruiser?
High-clearance 4WD is mandatory, and your brakes need to be in perfect condition — brake failure on this road is lethal, not inconvenient. A snorkel is strongly advised given the waterfall sections that wash directly across the road. A rented LC70 or 79 series is the local go-to; verify brake and tire condition yourself before you leave La Paz, don't trust the rental company's word.
What's the best time of year to drive it — is it passable in the wet season?
May through October is the dry season and the only window most experienced drivers will touch this road. November through April, the waterfalls turn into full cascades across the road, rockslides are frequent, and the clay surface becomes near-frictionless — several fatalities have occurred in wet season conditions.
Do I need a permit or pay any fee to drive the Death Road?
There is no formal permit required for private vehicles, but there is a small toll collected at the Cotapata checkpoint — typically a few Bolivianos. Cyclists pay a separate fee managed locally; vehicle fees can vary, so carry Bolivian cash since there's no card infrastructure out there.
What's the hardest section and what actually makes it dangerous?
The stretch between La Cumbre and Yolosa is where the road earns its name — single-lane, no guardrails, with sheer drops of up to 800 meters off the left edge. Uphill traffic has right-of-way by local convention, which means you may be reversing toward a cliff edge to let a truck pass. Wet rock faces and waterfall crossings through this section eliminate any margin for mechanical or driver error.
Is there any gas or emergency support along the route, or do I need to come fully self-sufficient?
There is zero fuel, no cell service, and no rescue infrastructure for the full 38 miles between La Cumbre and Coroico. Fill up completely in La Paz before departure, carry recovery gear and a first aid kit capable of handling trauma, and tell someone your plan — if something goes wrong on that cliff edge, you're on your own until another vehicle comes through.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.