Cycling in Bolivia
Including Salar de Uyuni, Sorata Valley, and Tupiza and Southern Highlands. On the map.
The vibe
Cycling in Bolivia means tackling long, steep climbs on rough, high‑altitude roads with little bike infrastructure. The dry season from May to October gives the best road conditions. Riders usually travel independently, with occasional local support and few organized tours.
Salar de Uyuni
Potosí
wallygrom / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Cycling across the world's largest salt flat is a surreal, otherworldly experience that requires self-supported endurance. The vast, flat expanse creates a unique horizon-less landscape that is a highlight for long-distance bike packers.
Access. Accessible from the town of Uyuni; requires careful planning for water, navigation, and extreme temperature fluctuations.
Notes. Extremely challenging due to high altitude, intense sun, and lack of services. Requires specialized gear and support.
Sorata Valley
La Paz
lilapagola / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Nestled at the base of the Illampu mountain, Sorata offers some of the most technical and scenic mountain biking trails in the Bolivian Andes. The region features steep, challenging singletrack that drops through diverse ecological zones.
Access. Accessible via bus from La Paz; local guides and bike transport services are available for those tackling the mountain passes.
Notes. Technical difficulty is high; weather can change rapidly in the mountains.
Tupiza and Southern Highlands
Potosí
Iain and Sarah from London, UK / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
The rugged, red-rock landscapes surrounding Tupiza offer spectacular gravel riding and mountain biking terrain. This region mimics the scenery of the American Southwest but with a remote, high-altitude Andean character.
Access. Tupiza serves as the main base for local tour operators and bike rentals, with routes extending into the surrounding canyons.
Notes. High altitude and arid conditions; best suited for experienced gravel or MTB riders.
Yungas Road (Death Road)
La Paz
PsamatheM / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Famous as the world's most dangerous road, this route descends from the high Andes into the lush Amazonian cloud forest. It is a bucket-list mountain biking descent that offers dramatic cliffside views and a significant change in climate.
Access. Numerous tour operators in La Paz provide full-day guided trips, including bike rental, protective gear, and transport to the summit.
Notes. Extremely high altitude at the start; requires mountain biking experience. Best in the dry season (May to October).