Mountain Bike “Death Road”

This nearly entirely down hill mountain bike from the mountains of Bolivia to the jungle via the world’s “Deadliest Road” in the Yungas region near La Paz is an absolute must for any avid rider. Descending 2,000ft into the heart of the jungle with shear cliff views along the way is an unforgettable must have experience. 

The ride itself is not too technical. This was my first time ever on a mountain bike and I felt safe the entire time. The views are epic enough that even the most experienced riders wont get bored.

It’s called Death Road because this narrow gravel edge was the only way to get between cities and it was common for cars to fall off the side of the cliff. 200-300 people died each year when this road was frequently traveled. All along the ride you will see crosses dedicated to those who’ve perished, and if you look over the edge you can still spot buses and cars that have never been recovered. There is now a new much safer highway that most people use, and so this road is almost exclusively for bikers.

Notice the extensive safety gear (jackets, pants, gloves, etc) and helmets that wrap around your face.

To bike this adventure you have to start in La Paz, a massive city in the valley of mountains. The city rests at nearly 12,000ft, so hydrate and take deep breaths. The air is sparse.

One of the coolest things about La Paz was the Teleferico, an aerial cable car urban transit system. I have seen these in skiing resorts of course, but I have never seen them used as public transportation throughout a city. It’s much faster than the buses trying to navigate the densely populated valley. Hop on the Teleferico and explore the city for the day, or if it’s a Sunday, take the cable car to the top of the mountain for one of the largest markets you will ever see, but go early. It's popular.

Booking a tour for Death Road from La Paz is incredibly easy. There’s a plethora of companies just dying to take you. You can book in advanced, or do it when you get there if you want to feel the company out in person to make sure you’re comfortable.

Every group was only about 6-8 people, so rest assured that you will not be biking behind a large tourist conglomerate. Some bikers looked as young as 11 years old. The tour will stop along the way to get pictures of you in action and also sitting on the ledge. Videos, photos, t shirts, and food at the end were included in the cost of the trip. Depending on the company and the bike provided, the tour costs anywhere from $60 a person to $140. Not bad for an all day excursion!

The end of the trip was at a resort where food was provided, and you could relax by the pool in the jungle after a long ride. Bring a swimsuit and change of clothes to keep in the tour van.