Posted on 09/29/2025 10:51:45 AM PDT by xxqqzz
The Yungas Road, aka Death Road, located in Bolivia, is a 37-mile stretch of road that is widely regarded as the most difficult highway in the world, and the world’s most dangerous road.
Known as the Camino de la Muerte, the road featured on BBC Top Gear in the Bolivia Special, which showed off just how dangerous the road is, with it carved into the side of mountains.
A slight mistake could see you fall right to the bottom, yet this terrifying road was actually a very important route.
It did serve a purpose, and it has been around since the 1930s. Yet somehow, its reputation has seen it become a local attraction.
When was Death Road originally built? The Camino de la Muerte was originally built by Paraguayan prisoners of war, following the end of the Chaco War in 1935.
Originally, the road was to connect the Yungas region and La Paz, the economic and political center of Bolivia.
Sadly, many prisoners died while building the road, and many have also died trying to navigate it.
Bolivians regularly used the road for the movement of goods from La Paz’s highlands to the lowlands.
With no alternative in place, cars, lorries, trucks, and bicycles all used the Camino de la Muerte.
In 2007, however, a new road was built – a paved bypass allowing drivers to avoid this infamous route.
That signalled the end of it as a primary route through Bolivia.
The Camino de la Muerte is still open today. Incredibly, the road itself is still open, albeit without as much traffic as previously.
Tourists love to tackle it in various vehicles, and the 40 miles of tricky road do offer some spectacular scenery.
(Excerpt) Read more at supercarblondie.com ...
It cannot be worse than that golf cart track of a road along the cliffs at the northern end on Maui.
I beg to differ.
There are road(s) in Oakland, Kalifornia that I would not drive down in a tank.
I saw that Top Gear episode. Hair-raising.
I wouldn’t want to walk down that road.
What’s the current fastest time for the entire distance?
Hard pass. Pun intended.
It can be avoided. Super.
Right?
My question is, who actually installed that road? Mountain goats?
[snip] The Yungas Road, aka Death Road, located in Bolivia... Known as the Camino de la Muerte... was originally built by Paraguayan prisoners of war, following the end of the Chaco War in 1935. [/snip]
Looks like the same odds on the 101 and 405 and 5 freeways in Los Angeles maybe more so with all the road rage moron drivers with guns.
“The Camino de la Muerte was originally built by Paraguayan prisoners of war, following the end of the Chaco War in 1935.”
It says it right in the excerpt.
Top Gear may not have done it the best, but it is my favorite example of driving Death Road.
I’m so glad those guys didn’t become accountants.
https://youtu.be/zi_b73JrPAs?si=qqjiUXhMuzOOTaMn
Could you imagine being a passenger with one of those drivers that must look at your face while they talk?
There’s always the Isle of Man TT road taken at an average of 135 mph on large displacement motorcycles. 267 casualties since it opened in 1907.
You are so right. Upon reading your post I checked out that episode. Riveting!!
Closest I’ve gotten to this level of danger is the Mokai Dugway in Utah. Drove it twice, definitely a white knuckler.
The motorcyclist doing the flop was back racing the next year.
I am amazed by the vocalist's (Sharon den Adel) range, power and versatility.
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