Coroico is a town in Nor Yungas Province, in the La Paz Department of western Bolivia.
Last November was the first time our family travelled ‘solo’ through the roads of Bolivia. Our car had finally arrived, and the time to explore our surroundings had begun!
Some 2 hours from the capital, La Paz, the city of Coroico was the choice made for an extended weekend of adventure and relaxation during the cold months! Also, it’s a fantastic way to test one’s skills when driving/biking with no road shoulders, endless cliffs; and in the Winter, through thick fog and heavy rain, overlooking the so-called, ‘death road‘! From tour buses to brave mountain bikers challenging the road of death; from volcanic rocks to water falls exploding from within the rocks… From green tropical vegetation to snow-capped mountains… Quite an experience – and I’m glad the husband got to do it! Two parents trying it at the same time… errrr… One always has to come back home for the kids 😮
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his past Saturday [Mother’s Day Weekend!], it came time for ” Cycling the World’s Most Dangerous Road”!
It’s a bike ride like no other, many have said.
On its upper reaches, the clouds hug the cliff edge, obscuring the abyss.
To the left, there is an unobstructed 600m drop off a cliff while on the right, a vertical rock-face. And the unpaved surface, resembles a rough, dirt track more than a road.
The scenery, if you dare take your eyes off the road, is breathtaking, with the lush rainforest of the Yungas stretching out before your very own eyes! But the stone and wooden crosses that line the route are a sombre reminder that not everyone cycles the full 40 miles (64km) safely to its conclusion.
The man who started the phenomenon in 1998, New Zealander Alistair Matthew, says good instruction and sensible behavior can overcome the dangers. He came up with the idea while trying lots of new rides on his mountain bike in the region near La Paz. His company, Gravity, was the first to offer tourists the chance to cycle the road.. Note to Readers: Alistair is our personal friend. Him and his family, have been our social sponsors since our arrival in Bolivia. We couldn’t have asked for a better choice! 😮
Stay tuned! There’s more to come your way! After the amazing ride, bikers were taken on a Zip Line adventure… photos to come soon! 😮
Related articles
- 4 Most Dangerous Roads in the World (absolute-adventure.com)
3rdculturechildren 
Your blog post are all so informative, encouraging and inspiring. I salute you here. http://wp.me/p23TG1-2GQ
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
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Thank you for the kind words of support, Francine! 😮
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The first photo is very scary. Looks like the ends of the earth. Nice angle for the photo.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
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Good! thanks for stopping by! 😮
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wow; cycling the road of death! i’ve seen videos of that road, but yours is the ‘firsthand’ tale i’ve heard. i’m very impressed and look forward to more images with part two!
i admire that one of you elected to stay home!
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As you may imagine, bringing 3 kids aged 7 and under to a ride like this… probably not the wisest decision! 😮 Next time… next time!
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you are so right. if something should happen, you would make world news in a very negative way. “How dare those parents do that!’
You are giving your children such a great life! they are learning much about other cultures, customs, foods/diet, while most of the children ‘back home,’ have their noses in their telephone devices and fill their bodies with unhealthy foods. yours are alive and well and gleaning the marrow from life!
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I know, I know… even though it was super safe, and all carefully planned, one never knows, right? 😮 Glad it all went well, as planned!
Thanks for your support – I’m sure we’re offering our children a healthy environment for their growth/development as worldly citizens… at least, that’s our duty as parents! 😮
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I would simply LOVE to try that! I’d need to get a spot fitter again, though – recently, riding to the local shops had me panting! Also, when cycling in scenery I tend to look at the scenery more than at the road … oops!
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Yeap… looking down wouldn’t be a good/wise option! But the whole group had a great time… I’m also totally out of shape… can’t bike in La Paz! Coming back [uphill] with a few bags of groceries is already pretty good exercise, and, like you, it has me panting! I’m glad my husband is in better shape [or should I say, is careless? I don’t think I’d be trying that!] 😮
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Wow this is very awesome! How did you hear about this cycling of a dangerous road? haha
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It’s pretty cool… husband went with a group of other expats, a few Bolivians, and the ” Kiwi-owned” company, who organized the ride… I’m still hearing about the ride! 😮 they won’t stop bragging about it! Thanks for stopping by and checking the blogpost out!
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Green with envy
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I hope it’s a good envy… 😮 Hope you liked the post!
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RE: my post: “Can’t I just be a nut and bolt?”
Three-year plan to see the world on a bike. Bolivia is on the list.
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Good to know! Bolivia [and the road of death!] should be part of any South America traveler’s bucket list! 😮 Way to go!
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The cycling is scary but the zip line sounds cool!
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I KNOW! :O
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