Copper Canyon
ÁRea Natural Protegida / Barrancas Del Cobre · Divisadero, Chihuahua
Six connected canyons in the Sierra Madre Occidental that together are larger than the Grand Canyon in total area, and deeper in places, with the Urique dropping about 1,870 metres from rim to river. The rim sits in pine forest at around 2,300 metres while the canyon floors are subtropical, so one day can take you from frost to citrus groves. It is the homeland of the Raramuri, who call themselves the light-footed ones and whose runners made the region famous. The way in is the Chepe, the Chihuahua al Pacifico railway, one of the great train journeys on earth: about 650 km across 37 bridges and 86 tunnels between Los Mochis and Chihuahua. Most visitors base themselves at Creel, Divisadero or Posada Barrancas for two to four nights. Parts of the Sierra Tarahumara have had security problems, so check current state travel advice, use local operators and travel by day. Carry cash, and respect the Raramuri as a living people.
Divisadero, Municipio de Bocoyna, Divisadero, Chihuahua, Mexico
⚠ AN OPEN REGION - the canyon rim, the viewpoints and the villages are free and open, and the constraint is transport rather than tickets. ⚠ THE CHEPE RAILWAY IS THE WAY IN AND THERE ARE TWO SERVICES: the CHEPE EXPRESS, a tourist train running Los Mochis to Creel with classes and a bar car, and the CHEPE REGIONAL, the local train that runs the full route to Chihuahua for a fraction of the price. ⚠ SCHEDULES, CLASSES AND OPERATING DAYS HAVE CHANGED REPEATEDLY - check the operator directly and book high season well ahead. The adventure park at Divisadero keeps its own hours and charges separately for the cable car and zipline. ⚠ RIM ALTITUDE IS ABOUT 2,300 METRES AND THE CANYON FLOOR IS AROUND 500 - a single day can run from frost to citrus heat. ⚠ NOTHING HERE WAS VERIFIED FOR THIS FILE.