A short guide about Copper canyon
Travel a day south of the United States border, to the established Parque Nacional Barranca del Cobre (Copper Canyon National Park) the ‘Sierra Tarahumara Range’ - still remarkably untouched by progress. This is one of Central America's best, but least-known regions for hiking, camping, and do-it-yourself adventure. The scenery is incredible, and the best way to enjoy it is by taking the railroad line through the mountains. A few days stay in Creel, will also give you the opportunity to see and learn something about the Tarahumara Indians who live in the area.
Your not just visiting one canyon - the ‘Copper Canyon’ is a series of more than 20 canyons running through the northern region of Mexico, covering over 20,000 square miles and four times larger than the Grand Canyon in the USA, although the Grand Canyon is deeper than any of the ‘individual’ Copper Canyons. The Sierra Tarahumara area consists of 6 distinct canyons and is home to tens of thousands of Tarahumara (Raramuri) Indians, traditional Mexican ranchers, and prospectors. Many Tarahumara Indians are so shy and if meet on the trail, it is not unusual for Tarahumara women and children to slip away.
The Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacifico (Chihuahua-Pacific Railway), nicknamed “Chepe,” is both an important transportation system for locals and a draw card for tourists. The railroad runs from the city of Chihuahua to Los Mochis (a gateway to Baja California) with four passenger trains arriving daily - two from each direction (one is a more direct service for tourists that is faster and more expensive). The tracks pass over 37 bridges and through 86 tunnels, rising as high as 2,400m above sea level near Divisadero, each one-way trip takes roughly 16 hours.
Creel is on the highest point of the “Chepe” railroad route, and at 8000 feet altitude it is a central point for commerce and tourism. Other villages located within the Copper Canyon that are worthy of a visit are: Batopilas, a town on the Batopilas River at the bottom of a canyon; first established by the Spanish around 1632 to mine silver. Urique - a town which lies over 6000 feet down in Urique Canyon, Temoris, Bahuichivo, and Posada Barrancas. Another stop off is Divisadero - situated between the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean watersheds on the Chepe rail journey; a key vista point with amazing views down into three of the canyons (del Cobre, Urique, Tararecua). The Chepe train allows a 15-20 minute stop for visitors to enjoy the view.
Tourabout has a range of holiday packages to explore the Copper Canyon National Park - home to the Tarahumara (Raramuri) Indians. So have a little look at our supplier’s tours starting at either Chihuahua or Los Mochis. The best scenery is between Creel and El Fuerte, with the impressive valley decent from Bahuichivo the highlight; a town surrounded by forest in which oaks appear among the pines.