The North Yungas Road - more commonly known as El Camino de la Muerte or "the Death Road" - is a 38 mile (61-kilometre) mountain bike ride from La Paz to Coroico (in Bolivia). Arguably the most dangerous place to mountain bike in the world, countless riders have taken the 2,000 meter plunge off the side of the road, which at many places is no more than a 10 feet wide muddy mess. Many believe tourists should not treat the road as a playground for the adrenaline seeking adventurous tourist. In hindsight, I understand why. Of course, I couldn't resist...
After selecting from the several tour outfits offering packages to guide you down the road, the experience begins in freezing weather 15,260 ft above sea level at La Cumbre Pass. Over the next several hours you descend over 11,000 feet navigating countless hairpin turns through altiplano, cloud level, and rainforest ending in the town of Coroico (3,900 ft)... hopefully to be greeted with a cold cervesa while a smile plasters your face.
The Death Road's moniker is far from puffery: On July, 24 1983, a bus veered off the road on a sharp turn killing more than 100 passengers in what is said to be Bolivia's worst road accident. The road is riddled with memorials.
After selecting from the several tour outfits offering packages to guide you down the road, the experience begins in freezing weather 15,260 ft above sea level at La Cumbre Pass. Over the next several hours you descend over 11,000 feet navigating countless hairpin turns through altiplano, cloud level, and rainforest ending in the town of Coroico (3,900 ft)... hopefully to be greeted with a cold cervesa while a smile plasters your face.
The Death Road's moniker is far from puffery: On July, 24 1983, a bus veered off the road on a sharp turn killing more than 100 passengers in what is said to be Bolivia's worst road accident. The road is riddled with memorials.
And, as if getting down wasn't dangerous enough, getting back to La Paz is a unique challenge unto itself. My van was caught in a terrible cloudy mess, driving along the road with no virtually no visibility. (Take a look at the picture and video below.) And as if we weren't nervous enough already, we drove past a bus accident and could not help but laugh when "This is the start" by The Doors came started playing. Classic.
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