Resting a cool 15,400 feet above the Amazon Rainforest, there’s a reason Bolivia’s Yungas Road has been dubbed ‘El Camino de la Muerte’, or ‘The Death Road’ by locals. There are thrill-seeking activities, and then there’s this…
Yungas Road, AKA Bolivia’s Death Road, has gained worldwide fame as one of the most dangerous stretches of road in the world. Framed by the breathtaking snow-capped Andes Mountains and overlooking dense jungle, it’s one of the few roads connecting Bolivia’s Amazon rainforest and the capital city of La Paz.
Carved into the Cordillera Oriental Mountain chain in the 1930’s, the road edges along the lush Amazon rainforest, treating you to dramatic landscapes and unbelievable panoramas of the valley. But as amazing as this view is, you might be slightly distracted by the utterly terrifying drop into the forest canopy below – especially when you realise that most of the road has absolutely no railings whatsoever.
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Upon mounting the road, you can expect a 4,650 metre ascent to La Cumbre Pass, followed by a 1,200-metre descent to Coroico, a local town. All the while, the landscape will transform from the stunning flat plains of the Altiplano terrain to the green, humid rainforest as you journey on this winding road.
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While it may be an absolute no-no for some, this 40 mile stretch of road sees 25,000 cyclists braving the journey every year to catch a glimpse of the unparalleled panoramas that you simply won’t find anywhere else. This truly is the ultimate thrill-seeking cycling activity, and (if you know what you’re doing) it’s actually pretty safe. Embarking on this journey would be an adventure like no other – the question is, are you brave enough?