Chihuahua
A majestic nature park

The CoPper Canyon provides its visitors with all kinds of adventures, from extreme sports to an encounter with the inheritors of the ancestral Tarahumara culture.

Located in the northern region of the country, Chihuahua is Mexico’s largest state. Due to its indigenous and European influences, it offers an interesting cultural mix in its towns and cities.

Walking along the streets in the city of Chihuahua, for example, offers an interesting view to the colonial era and the North Mexican 19th century, marked by the mining boom. The plazas built in the capital of the state are a perfect sample of both the colonial heritage and the industrial boom in the north region of the country.

In the state you can also find interesting archaeological zones. But most of all Chihuahua impresses its visitors with stunning natural sceneries. Mountains, rivers, waterfalls, desert and forest are some of the natural landscapes Chihuahua has to offer.

The state is home to one of the largest canyon systems in the world, the Copper Canyon (Barrancas del Cobre).

The Copper Canyon –located in the Sierra Tarahumara southwest portion, 350 kilometers from the city of Chihuahua and 250 kilometers from Los Mochis, Sinaloa– is in fact a network of canyons which together are several times larger than the Grand Canyon in Arizona.

It spans more than 600 kilometers (372 miles) in length and 250 kilometers (155 miles) in width and its average depth is between 1,520 and 1,879 meters (5,017 to 6,200 feet).

The canyons’ wide range of elevation results in two distinct climactic zones: subtropical forests in the valleys and a cool alpine climate in the highlands’ pine and oak forest.

The varying climactic conditions make for great biodiversity in the Copper Canyon. Among the wild animals in the area are black bears, pumas, otters, and white tail deer. The canyons are home to over 300 species of birds, and many more migratory birds can be seen in the area in winter.

Railway Journey
The most popular way to explore the Copper Canyon is on the Chihuahua al Pacifico Railway, affectionately known as “Chepe.” The trains run daily along Mexico’s most scenic railway route between Los Mochis, Sinaloa and the city of Chihuahua. The journey takes between 14 and 16 hours, covers over 400 miles, climbs 8000 feet into the Sierra Tarahumara, goes over 36 bridges and through 87 tunnels.

Construction on the railway line began in 1898 and was not concluded until 1961, due to the challenges posed by the mountains, abysses and narrow passes. Nowadays, the “Chepe” is one of the most comfortable tourist trains in the world and it sports a dining wagon, a bar and passenger wagons.

The train makes several stops along the way, providing visitors the chance to witness the magic and mysticism of the Raramuri (Tarahumara) indigenous communities, admire various missions in the forests, see spectacular waterfalls and take in unbeatable views from the numerous lookouts. If that’s not enough, the rich culture, crafts and cuisine are certain to leave a lasting impression.

Ecotourism
The Copper Canyon system has more than 500 flora species, including 15 pine and 25 oak varieties. It is also the habitat of 300 bird species, 87 reptile varieties, 20 types of amphibians and 50 kinds of freshwater fish. Needless to say, it is one of the most biologically diverse regions in the world. In addition, the canyons have impressive waterfalls, which can be appreciated up close or from various lookouts.

Not only does the canyon system offer spectacular natural beauty, but it also allows visitors to enjoy ecotourism outings and adventure sports. For those interested in vacationing in harmony with nature, the several canyons that conform the system offer amazing naturespots. Among them, the most important are:

Barranca del Cobre
Located between the towns of Urique and Creel, in the central part of the Parque Natural Barrancas del Cobre. This canyon has a depth of 1300 meters (4,290 feet) and it gets its name from the copper that was mined in the area. From the top of the Mogotabo it is possible to see an amazing steep and a beautiful pine and oak forest.

Barranca de Sinforosa
This canyon is 120 km (74 mi) in length and has a spectacular lookout called Cumbres de Sinforosa. The highest point of the canyon’s rim is the Cumbres de Guerachi, which is 1830 meters (6,039 feet).

Barranca de Urique
This is the deepest canyon with a drop of 1879 meters (6,200 feet). To arrive here, there’s ground transportation departing from Creel. From the lookout points it is possible to appreciate a large pine and oak forest, which is the habitat of eagles, woodpeckers, deer, raccoons and coypu, among other animal species.

Barranca de Batopilas
This canyon’s La Bufa lookout, which offers a breathtaking view, is 1800 meters (5,940 feet) high.

Barranca de Chinipas
At the bottom of the canyon, which is 1600 meters (5,280 feet) deep, is the Chinipas River, which is part of the Rio Fuerte river basin. This canyon is home to the oldest mission town in the Sierra Tarahumara, which was founded in 1626.

Barranca de Candameña
This place has forests, canyons, streams and the Basaseachi Waterfall, which is 246 meters (812 feet) high. It is one of Mexico’s biggest waterfalls, the fifth tallest in the Americas and ranks 21st worldwide.