This photo was taken cycling down ‘The World’s Most Dangerous Road‘, from La Paz to Coroico in Bolivia in 2007.
This ‘Road of Death‘ claimed an average of 20 vehicles each year until a new highway opened in 2007 (the below photograph is an obvious example) – in fact, the locals were so pissed off with the old road, that they used the new road even during the construction period!
Just remember, this is a two lane highway – but it’s barely wide enough for one car width in some places!
The World’s Most Dangerous Road = Carnage!
The drop over the edge is ‘only’ 600 metres. Only tourists are silly enough to use this road now via mountain bike trips. In fact, about 10 people have lost their lives mountain biking down this magnificent part of Bolivia.
The trip is about 70 kilomtres and starts at 4000 metres above sea level (sometimes in the snow), and finishes at 1500 metres above sea level – in tropical forest. It takes about 6 to 7 hours cycling downhill. The hardest part is a 3 kilometre uphill pedal at 3500 metres – which almost burst my lungs.
Some masochistic people have cycled up The World’s Most Dangerous Road – and this takes about 12 hours.
The photos below explain everything!
You have to cycle The World’s Most Dangerous Road!
Believe me, it’s worth risking your life to ride this fantastic track! I was on a high for days after cycling down – in fact, I wanted to go again!
I’ve got a bit of video footage from the day. Note that there is a big drop on the other side of the road if you lose your grip!
Just to give bit more of perspective, check out this video of a truck reversing. It’s crazy!
Other things to do in Bolivia besides cycling down The World’s Most Dangerous Road – check out the party during the Day Of The Dead, Salar Uyuni and San Pedro Prison.
You can also check out Survival Driving: Staying Alive on the World’s Most Dangerous Roads and Danger-Heavy Goods: Driving the Toughest, Most Dangerous Roads in the World.
Better than jumpin’ out of a plane! Wheeeee!!!!!
.-= Sherry Ott´s last blog ..The Motorbike Diaries – Vol. 13 =-.
In Colombia we have another road like this. We call it ‘El Trampolín de la Muerte’, and somewhere at the top of the hill you can see the town at the end of the road, but you need another hour to be there.
.-= Juan Sebastián Echeverry´s last blog ..Plugins por todos lados =-.
Okay, you officially have balls of blazing steel. Yes, steel that is ON FIRE. You biked down this road? That road makes me have vertigo just from glancing at pictures. I literally hunker down on the floor and cover my head like some sort of poorly done 1950’s nuclear fallout video.
What a great travel story. That is definitely one you will remember forever, and it gives you awesome bragging rites.
.-= 1002things´s last blog ..Planning is Half the Fun =-.
I rode this road a few years ago and your description is spot-on. A great high that lasts for days with stellar scenery (views to die for!!) and great fun.
That is crazy. What is more crazy is that this used to be the only road to get from point A to point B. I can’t imagine ever having to drive a car, let alone a bus on these cliffs. Congratulations on the bike ride. Seems like the same high I might get off of sky diving. Might have to try it.
.-= Jason´s last blog ..My Last Week of Work =-.
Thanks Jason – yes, this is one of the best things I’ve ever done travelling – I was on such a high for days after cycling down the road – I wanted to do it again! Well worth doing. Just try to come back alive!
What a thrilling ride that looks to be, how did you hold up in the thin air? I’d be struggling that’s for sure. I first found out about The World’s Most Dangerous Road doing research for four-wheel drive vehicles and found this picture of a jeep filling every inch of the steep, thin roadway with a cliff on each side – madness. I applaud your Huevos!
For the brave mountain bikers, the rampaging descent is an exhilarating and death-defying adventure, littered with hazards, but studded with stupendous panoramic views. One of the huge problems is that tourists visiting Bolivia are not aware that there are no minimum safety standards and no consequences whatsoever for a company involved in a tragic accident. The difference between a cheap company and an expensive operator is not necessarily just the quality of the lunch or the free T-shirt – it is most likely to do with fundamental safety issues, so i’d recommend going with a more expensive option just for piece of mind.
.-= Gary@Budget Hotels´s last blog ..Tuscany Wine Region =-.
crazy buh koooooooooool
That is something scary right there. I have enough trouble driving around on normal roads let alone ones with a 600 meter drop on one side. Ouch.
.-= Quality Hotels´s last blog ..Prince Hotels =-.
I’m glad I don’t have to drive down that road every day; my best wishes to those that actually do it every day for a living.
.-= Fallout Earth´s last blog ..Naples, Italy – Crime and toxic waste =-.
Hah it always amazes me when I see “world’s most dangerous roads”. Like seriously, who would travel on these things! That 1st pic looks sooo bad, I wouldn’t even feel safe driving at 5mph on that thing! Cool pics by the way.
.-= Jeep Deals Fan´s last blog ..Suspension Lift Kits for the Jeep Commander =-.
I cycled down this road a few years ago. And I must say.. what a thrilling ride it was. One of the best things I’ve ever done, absolutely fantastic.
I suggested to my boyfriend that we do it and once I had convinced him, we too were on a high for days after the ride. It was magnificent and for the post who said they had vertigo just looking at the photos….I recommend going with the company ‘Vertigo’.