The North Yungas road connecting the cities of La Paz and Coroico, also known as the Grove Road, or as many drivers call it, the Road of Death, is located northeast of La Paz in the Yungas region in Bolivia. North Yungas Road is 69.2 km long, with steep cliffs on one side and deep abysses on the other. With an altitude of more than 3,000 m but no protective railings, this place is truly a road of death, especially in the rainy season.
This death route was built in the 1930s during the Chaco War, by Paraguayan prisoners. With a vertical slope of nearly 610m, and a single-track road, lacking railings, North Yungas has become the most dangerous road in the world. This is a favorite place for tourists who love mountain biking and seek challenges.
Each turn on this route has a unique climate, from humid mountain air to windy roads, steep cliffs, and gently rolling hillsides. Fog and showers also cause limited visibility when traveling, the road surface is always slippery and the mountain cliffs are full of sharp rocks. Therefore, driving slowly and inch by meter is considered the safest solution for drivers on this road.
In addition to the challenge, the road also has a number of stops for visitors to visit and explore. Mirador de la Muerte is the road’s most famous photo stop. There are many beautiful waterfalls on the way and you can stop to see them. The most famous waterfall is the 200-meter-high Velo de la Novia that tumbles down a cliff. Along the road, visitors can also stop by to visit the coca fields of local people.
At the end of 2006, a new route from La Paz to Coroico opened. This new route has all the modern facilities and is safer than the old North Yungas route. Therefore, the North Yungas route no longer has as much traffic as before. Through the Internet, North Yungas is becoming more and more popular, especially among people who are passionate about adventure sports such as downhill cycling. Many companies also organize cycling tours along the North Yungas to try out the extreme feeling.
According to the Internet
