Good to know
Good to Know
- Climbing season runs from May to September; although possible outside this period, inclement weather can cause last-minute cancellations and serious safety issues
- Avoid hiking through valleys or canyons if there is any possibility of heavy rain; flash floods are common in La Paz and can be deadly
- Unless an elite mountaineer, you'll need a local guide; be wary of deals which seem too good to be true and insist on climbing with no more than two tourists per guide
- Chacaltaya was the world's highest ski resort until its glacier fully melted due to climate change in 2009; visitors can still view the remnants of Bolivia's only snowfield today
Cycling
Death Road (Camino De La Muerte) / Yungas Road
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Distance Km
- 62
- Elevation Drop M
- 3500
- Description
- A road from La Paz to Coroico; known as "Death Road" due to its tragic history and extreme terrain with narrow, steep slopes and cliff edges without protective barriers; in 2006, a new, much safer alternative road was built, leaving the original exclusively for cycling activities; adventurers still choose the original path
Chacaltaya to Zongo Valley Mountain Bike
- Description
- Mountain biking down from Chacaltaya to Zongo valley; change of scenery as you reach mountains and descend into foggy, eerie valley
Water Sports
Lake Titicaca Activities
- Description
- Weekend water activities on Lake Titicaca include giant inflatable rafts in various shapes such as cartoon animals and dragons; whole families pile onto rafts and get pulled around by speedboats
Rock Climbing
Sendero De Los Aguilas Trail
- Note
- For experienced rock climbers only; need to bring own gear and climb on own; no guides or tours available
- Description
- La Paz rock climbing clubs meet at a park next to a church with several easy-to-access sport climbing routes; hundreds more routes available off the trail; local climbers are very friendly and always happy to see other enthusiasts
Multi Day Treks
El Choro Trek
- Duration Days
- 3-4
- Description
- One of the most popular pre-Columbian routes and one of the most famous in Bolivia; usually takes about 3 or 4 days, starting in La Cumbre (about an hour from La Paz) until reaching the small town of Chairo; crosses several villages and heads along roads that were once used by the Inca people as trade routes
Isla Del Sol (Island of the Sun)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Description
- Surrounded by Lake Titicaca; formerly a sanctuary with an Inca temple dedicated to the worship of the Sun god; contains several archaeological sites, including the "Sacred Rock", the Labyrinth or Chinkana, the Yumani stairs and the archaeological museum of Challapampa
Day Hikes Near City
Valle De La Luna (Valley of the Moon)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Travel time
- 1 hour
- Description
- A leisurely hour-long stroll around the lunar-like landscapes, with spectacular scenery
Muela Del Diablo (Devil's Tooth)
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
- Travel time
- 2 hours
- Description
- An iconic rock formation hike just outside La Paz; not very long (about 2 hours up), but quite strenuous as you trek uphill to an ending altitude of 3,825 m (12,549 ft)
Palca Canyon
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Description
- Known as the Grand Canyon of Bolivia, with a hike about 1.5 hours (8,000 steps)
Valle De Las Animas (Spirit Valley)
- Difficulty
- Variable
- Description
- A spectacular trekking route with unique and majestic rock formations shaped by centuries of natural erosion; stone columns resemble petrified spirits; offers several routes of varying difficulty, ideal for both beginners and experienced hikers
Climbing Mountaineering
Huayna Potosí (6,088 M)
- Altitude M
- 6088
- Recommended Season
- May-September
- Technical Difficulty
- Low
- Distance From City Km
- 25
- Description
- Bolivia's most popular mountain and offers something for both beginner and experienced mountaineers
Mount Illimani (6,438 M)
- Altitude M
- 6438
- Technical Difficulty
- Moderate-High
- Description
- Rising to 6,438 meters (21,122 ft), the highest mountain in the Cordillera Real and the second-highest peak in Bolivia
Condoriri (5,648 M)
- Altitude M
- 5648
- Technical Difficulty
- Moderate
- Description
- One of the most impressive mountaineering objectives in the Condoriri massif
Pequeño Alpamayo (5,370 M)
- Altitude M
- 5370
- Technical Difficulty
- Beginner-Intermediate
- Description
- Although not easy to reach, climbers must navigate a series of undulating crests in icy conditions; one of the easier climbs in the area and an ideal option for beginners
Chachacomani (6,074 M)
- Altitude M
- 6074
- Technical Difficulty
- Moderate
- Description
- A moderately challenging 6,000-meter peak which has only recently begun receiving tourists; given its modest technical difficulty and proximity to La Paz, the mountain is bound to become popular
Organized Sports Leagues
Club Bolívar
- Sport
- Football (Soccer)
- Description
- By far the most successful side in Bolivian history with 16 titles
The Strongest
- Sport
- Football (Soccer)
- Description
- Tradition personified; with 9 National titles in addition to 14 La Paz championships, this side can rightfully claim to be flag bearers of their nation
Parks And Protected Areas
Cotapata National Park and Integrated Management Natural Area
- Elevation Range M
- Cloud forest to high altitude
- Description
- Home to 7 hiking trails with an average 4.8 star rating from 64 community reviews
Parque Nacional Tuni-Condoriri
- Description
- 9 hiking trails with an average 4.8 star rating from 163 community reviews
Fitness Notes
Climbers must have at least basic physical fitness and be free from respiratory or heart conditions; proper acclimatization is essential; spend at least a week in La Paz and embark on a few warm-up hikes beforehand
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this nature, parks & outdoor activities research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About La Paz
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.