Road of Death, Bolivia’s Death Road, Most Dangerous Road on Earth. Pyrodes loves a good road trip. We have already taken you by car to the Arctic Ocean (look here) and how to navigate the China/Pakistan border (look here), but we would be remiss if we did not find for our readers the craziest, most unnecessarily dangerous road out there. And so, let us introduce you to Bolivia’s Yungas Road, lovingly named the Road of Death. Rated by the Inter America Development Bank as the world’s most perilous road, this stretch of rubble and bad karma claims upwards of 300 lives a year. The Yungas stretches a mere 70Km between the Bolivian capital of La Paz and the boony, but beautiful town of Coroico. With only 3 meters of road between you and a 1,300 ft drop into the rainforest below, this isn’t a trip for the faint at heart. Today, there is another paved route to Coroico, but adventure travelers and misguided Bolivians alike still take their buses, trucks, bikes, and cars up this death trap. And so, let’s get some tips, photos, and videos after the jump…

The Yungas has been a legend for decades. It was originally named Groves Road for the US company that constructed it. Today, every mile still holds delights and surprises alike. When you begin on this cement death march, you will notice the first several miles of the road aren’t that bad. In fact, numerous small stores dot the landscape, so stop in and pick up some local treats for your road journey. As you head up, you pass an ominously foreboding Jesus statue and military checkpoint before hitting the real twists and turns while heading along the sheer mountain face. This is your life for the rest of the road, so be prepared. As you head along, keep an eye out in all directions. Honk your horn while coming around turns, monitor your breaks, watch below for rising fog and above for falling rocks. Danger surrounds you. But, if you survive, settle in for a warm bed in a beauty of a city in Coroico. Now, please enjoy the quick tips and media below:

Pyrodes’ Tips:

• Just for flavor, even though in the rest of Bolivia you drive on the right, you drive on the left side of the road on the Yungas. The actual reason is so the driver can keep a better eye on the outside tire, thereby avoiding an otherwise certain death. Good Rule.
• When you meet another vehicle, don’t wreck, as in the second video below. Instead, take note that descending cars take the outside in order to make the passing as slow as possible. Another good rule.
• The Yungas has become increasingly popular with mountain bikers, as it allows for nearly 70 Km of downhill fun. But, be careful, dozens of bikers have dies on the road  in the last decade.
• Watch out for the fall below, but be equally careful of things falling from above. Rock and mudslides are common.

• For  great picture gallery and information, look here: Gallery.
• Video 1: Comprehensive History. A must watch. Video 2: Bumbling tourists.

Enjoy and God’s Speed! Happy Travels.

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