Bolivia

Bolivia is a destination for riders who chase altitude above all else. With four catalogued climbs, its highest summit crests at 4,679 metres, thin air that turns every pedal stroke into a test of patience and lungs. One of these ascents earns the coveted hors categorie rating, the toughest classification on the board, reserved for climbs that punish and reward in equal measure. This is high-country cycling in its rawest form, where the road keeps rising long after most legs would rather stop.

The marquee ascents give a sense of the terrain on offer. Chungara–Tambo Quemado and Paso de Condor carry riders into the rarefied heights, while Portezuelo del Cajon and Alto de Piscuno round out a compact but formidable collection. Few, hard-won, and unforgettable, Bolivia's climbs suit cyclists willing to trade sheer numbers for genuine altitude and the quiet drama of the open Andean road.