Cordillera Real Northern Circuit
Technical mountain passes through glaciated peaks.
The Cordillera Real’s northern reaches serve up some of Bolivia’s gnarliest mountain driving, where 6,000-meter peaks scrape the sky and oxygen gets thin enough to make your engine wheeze. This circuit loops from Sorata north through Italaque, crossing multiple 4,800-meter passes with names like Abra Chucuyo and Abra Lanza, each one a white-knuckle climb over loose scree and exposed ledges. You’ll thread between Illimani and Huayna Potosí’s glacier-draped faces while navigating mining roads that would make a mountain goat nervous.
Difficult doesn’t begin to cover it — these are legitimate technical 4×4 routes requiring experienced drivers and proper mountain driving skills. Lockers help, but skilled throttle control matters more when you’re picking lines across avalanche debris and rock slides. Pack for altitude and weather extremes, with emergency bivouac gear mandatory. June through August offers best conditions, but weather changes fast above treeline. No permits needed, but inform locals of your route plans. This circuit separates weekend warriors from serious mountain drivers, delivering some of South America’s most spectacular alpine scenery.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock|Dirt |
| Features | High Altitude, Remote, Scenic, Technical |
| Length (miles) | 124 mi / 200 km |
| Duration | 3-4 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 15748 ft |
| Best season | June-August |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with lockers |
| Nearest town | Sorata, La Paz |
| Land manager | Local Communities |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| 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
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Land Cruiser or 4Runner run this trail, or do I need lockers?
A stock rig won't cut it here. The trail officially requires a modified 4WD with lockers — the rocky, high-altitude passes will punish open differentials and low-clearance vehicles. Skid plates, a lift, and a reliable winch anchor point are worth having too.
Is the trail accessible outside of June–August?
June through August is dry season and the only reliable window. Outside those months, rain and snow turn the dirt sections into impassable mud and the rocky passes become genuinely dangerous — route-finding also deteriorates fast when cloud cover drops.
Are there permits or fees required to run this trail?
The route passes through land managed by local communities, so expect informal community checkpoints where small fees or contributions may be requested — carry bolivianos in small bills. There's no single centralized permit system, but respecting community access points is non-negotiable.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The high passes above 15,000 ft are where things get serious — loose rock, narrow shelf roads with exposure, and no room to turn around. Altitude will affect both your engine performance and your own decision-making, so acclimatize in La Paz or Sorata for at least two days before you start.
How far apart are fuel stops, and is water available on the trail?
Fuel up completely in La Paz or Sorata before you leave — there are no reliable fuel sources along the 124-mile route. Water crossings exist on the trail, but treat everything; dispersed camping is available throughout, so carry enough fuel and filtration for the full 3–4 days.
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.