About Barrancas del Cobre, Mexico

A trip to the Sierra Tarahumara is undoubtedly one of the most exciting and spectacular excursions that can be taken in Mexico.



Before the arrival of the Spaniards, this area was inhabited by several Indian groups, of which only the Tepehuas, Pimas Guarijos and Tarahumaras (the main existent group) remain. One of the largest group of canyons and ravines in the world, Barrancas del Cobre, can be found on the steepest part of the Western range of the Sierra Madre. Sierra Tarahumara is about 600 km long and 250 km wide and has an average height of 2,275 meters above sea level. It is one of the most impressive mountains in the Sierra Madre and has many different micro-climates.



The Grand Canyon is bigger than the Barrancas del Cobre (Copper Canyons), but not as deep. The deepest part of the Barrancas Del Cobre is at Urique, where the distance between mountain path at the top and the river flowing through the bottom of the canyon is 1,879 meters.



The Pacific-Chihuahua railway runs through this marvel of nature from Los Mochis, on the Sea of Cortes, to the interior and makes several stops. It goes through 86 tunnels and crosses 39 bridges in the middle of the canyons that are full of the cultural riches of its dwellers. This train journey allows one to explore the canyons and towns, and there are some amazing, unforgettable views of this section of northern Mexico to be seen.



Make sure your trip plans include an overnight stop at Cerocahui , another in Posada Barrancas or Divisadero, and make sure you take the time to enjoy Creel, a town prepared to receive tourists right in the middle of the territory of the proud Tarahumara Indians. The numbers of tourists increases at Christmas and Easter time because those are the times of the long rarámuri ritual festivals, especially Holy Week. During the festivities, there are inter-town contests, such as races that last for several days. This race is by men who push a wooden ball along a pre-agreed course of some 160 km. The winners¡¯ prize is general recognition among the residents of the various towns.