Laguna Route Altiplano Mining Circuit
High-altitude mining circuit through colored lagoons
The Laguna Route cuts through Bolivia’s most remote altiplano, connecting a chain of mineral-stained lakes and abandoned sulfur mines at crushing altitude. Starting from Uyuni, this technical circuit threads between Laguna Colorada’s flamingo colonies and Laguna Verde’s arsenic-tinted waters, following old mining roads that serviced now-ghost camps like Sol de Mañana geothermal field. The route peaks at Laguna Blanca, where thin air and bone-jarring corrugated tracks test both driver and machine.
This is expert-level high-altitude overlanding demanding modified 4WD with extra fuel, water, and altitude preparation. Elevation sickness hits hard above 4,200 meters, and mechanical failures mean multi-day waits for rescue. Best tackled April through September when weather windows open, though nights drop below freezing year-round. Permits required for Eduardo Avaroa Reserve. The payoff: witnessing some of the planet’s most alien landscapes and earning serious overlander credibility among those who’ve pushed the limits.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Rock |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 186 mi / 299 km |
| Duration | 4-5 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 15420 ft |
| Best season | April-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Uyuni, Bolivia |
| Land manager | Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| 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 stock Tacoma run this trail, or does it need to be built?
A stock Land Cruiser 70/80 series can manage it, but you need genuine high clearance, a snorkel for dust and occasional water crossings, reinforced sidewall tires, and a dual-battery or auxiliary power setup. A stock Tacoma with street tires will get you stranded — this isn't a trail you figure out on the fly.
When is the trail passable and what happens if you go during rainy season?
April through September is the dry season window — go then. The rainy season (November through March) turns salt flats into shallow lakes and dirt tracks into axle-deep mud; multiple sections become impassable and rescues at this altitude are not simple operations.
Do you need a permit to drive the Laguna Route through Eduardo Avaroa Reserve?
Yes. Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve charges a mandatory entry fee (currently around 150 BOB for foreigners, subject to change) collected at the reserve entrance near Quetena Chico. Have cash in bolivianos — no card readers out here.
What's the hardest section and what specifically makes it dangerous?
The approaches around Laguna Colorada and the rocky plateau crossings above 4,700 meters are the crux — loose volcanic rock, zero established trail markers, and altitude that kills your engine power and your decision-making simultaneously. AMS (acute mountain sickness) is a real mechanical problem here: drivers have made bad calls because they were hypoxic and didn't realize it.
Where do you get fuel and water along the 186-mile circuit — is there anything resupply-wise between Uyuni and the end?
Uyuni is your last reliable fuel stop; carry a minimum 20-liter spare can because there is no fuel on the circuit itself. Water sources exist near some lagoons but require purification — bring a quality filter and enough capacity for your crew for 5 days, as some stretches near the mining camps have contaminated runoff.
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.