The North Yungas, built by Paraguayan prisoners of war in the 1930s, is affectionately known as Death Road amongst the locals; a suitable nickname for a 40 mile stretch that accounts for the lives of 200-300 unfortunate travellers each year.
Those brave enough to attempt the journey across are known to spill their beer on the ground below, a token to the Gods in return for a safe passage. The gesture is well-advised, if only in helping the drivers remain sober as they chance their motoring arm along the precipice of doom.
Not all is bleak. A new by-pass is being built in the Andes that will effectively replace the North Yungas. Worryingly though, it has already been 20 years in the making. For the lorry and bus drivers regularly forced to battle the World’s deadliest route, an alternative to death road cannot come soon enough.
View The World’s Most Dangerous Road Slideshow
Bolivia, Dangerous, Driving
