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Polaroid of the Week: Thrilling Descent on Bolivia's Infamous Death Road

Polaroid of the Week: Thrilling Descent on Bolivia s Infamous Death Road As a seasoned and responsible traveler, booking a mountain bike tour down Bolivia's Camino de la Muerte—known as the Death Road—for my partner Jess and me wasn't my most prudent choice.

Recognized by the Inter-American Development Bank in 1995 as the world's most dangerous road, it claimed hundreds of vehicles over its sheer cliffs. This narrow gravel track, often just 3m (10 ft) wide, handles two-way traffic on a single lane with virtually no guardrails.

Despite the risks, rave reviews convinced us. The 64km ride drops from La Cumbre at 4,670m (15,320 ft) to Coroico at 900m (2,950 ft)—a vertigo-inducing 3,770m descent. Traffic is minimal since the paved alternative opened in 2006, leaving it mostly to adventure cyclists like us.

The great news? We completed the journey unscathed by major injuries—though not without incident—and can't wait to share the full story soon!


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  • Polaroid of the Week: Thrilling Descent on Bolivia s Infamous Death Road

    As a seasoned and responsible traveler, booking a mountain bike tour down Bolivias Camino de la Muerte—known as the Death Road—for my partner Jess and me wasnt my most prudent choice.Recognized by the Inter-American Development Bank in 1995 as the worlds most dangerous road, it claimed hundreds of vehicles over its sheer cliffs. This narrow gravel track, often just 3m (10 ft) wide, handles two-way traffic on a single lane with virtually no guardrails.Despite the risks, rave reviews convinced us.