From snow to jungle in a single day
The North Yungas Road, known as the Death Road, connects La Paz to the town of Coroico over 64 kilometres that drop almost 3,500 metres in altitude. The route starts above 4,600 metres, among snow-capped peaks and freezing air, and ends at just over 1,100 metres, surrounded by tropical vegetation and humid heat: it's one of the few rides in the world where the landscape changes climate completely in a single descent. The name comes from its past as a single-lane road carved into the cliffside, used until a few years ago by buses and trucks; today vehicle traffic is diverted onto a newer route, leaving the original road almost exclusively to bikes.
What the ride is like
The first stretch, paved, is used to warm up before reaching the actual dirt road: a narrow track with the mountain on one side and open air on the other, no guardrail, blind corners and waterfalls crossing the path. Speed and distance from the group are what separate enjoying the scenery from taking unnecessary risks; it's not a race. The full ride, with photo and rest stops, takes four to six hours.
Before you book
The route can be done with no previous mountain-biking experience, but good physical condition matters given the altitude at the start, and a day of acclimatisation in La Paz is worth having first. The bike must have full suspension and brakes in good condition, and the operator should provide a full-face helmet, gloves and a vest. Always check the operator's recent reviews and their specific experience on this route before deciding who to ride with.