Copper Canyon

One Of Mexico’s Greatest Natural Wonders. Four Times Larger Than The Grand Canyon 

Copper Canyon is a region in the desert of Northwest Mexico that hosts some of the most spectacular natural scenery in Mexico’s inland territory.
The area known as Copper Canyon is a series of 20 canyons, formed over the years by six rivers. The area is sometimes compared to Arizona’s Grand Canyon, although the Copper Canyon region is at least four times the size and has different topography, flora, and fauna from the Grand Canyon.
The Copper Canyon is in Mexico’s wilderness. The Rarámuris, or Tarahumaras, are Native American people who still live a simple life in these canyons, as they have done for thousands of years. Today, they also sell their crafts and food to visitors who take the Copper Canyon Train Ride or stay in the villages along the Canyon.

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The Copper Canyon Railway. A stunning piece of engineering achievement. Opened in 1961 after decades of construction, the railway was designed to connect the Pacific Ocean with Mexico’s central desert territory and the state of Chihuahua. The route remains a major freight connection between Chihuahua and the Pacific coast.
The railway line is over 390 miles (650 km) in length and crosses 39 bridges (the longest bridge is over 500 meters long) and 86 tunnels (the longest is over 1,500 meters long).
The track starts at sea level at Los Mochis and will rise to an altitude of around 8,000 ft (2,500 m) before descending into Chihuahua City, which lies at around 2,500 ft (800 m) altitude. The line crosses some of Mexico’s most rugged terrain, hugging the edge of mountains and crossing deep ravines on its bridges. The scenery traveled through is truly breathtaking.

El Fuerte“Gateway to the Copper Canyon” 
One of the most beautiful colonial towns in Sinaloa’s northwestern region.
For centuries, it was a major trading post for gold and silver miners. Some lovely colonial mansions line the cobblestone streets leading to a central Plaza de Armas that comes alive in the evenings.
El Fuerte was founded in 1564 by Spanish conquistador Don Francisco de Ibarra, the first explorer of the treasures of the Western Sierra Madre mountains. In 1610, a fort was built to ward off the fierce Zuaque and Tehueco Indians, who constantly harassed the Spaniards. El Fuerte became a major trading post for silver miners and gold seekers from the Urique, Batopilas, and Rain of Gold mines in the nearby Sierra Madre.
In 1824, El Fuerte became the capital of what is now the states of Sonora, Sinaloa, and a part of Arizona. It remained so for several years. There is much rich history in and around El Fuerte. You can be sure that a historical walk around this picturesque colonial city of about 30,000 people is a very rewarding experience. El Fuerte is also famous for being the legendary birthplace of Señor Diego de la Vega, also known as El Zorro.

Posada Barrancas / Divisadero. About 4km southwest of Divisadero, Posada Barrancas train station is next to Areponapuchi, the only village on the train line right by the rim of the canyon. It is where it all comes together for the first time, with spectacular views of the canyon.
The mega new attraction nearby is the Parque de Aventura Barrancas del Cobre (Copper Canyon Adventure Park), where activities include the formidable Tram Ride and zip lines that whoosh you over precipitous 1500m-plus canyon drops.
An easy path with several good viewpoints runs along the canyon rim to the left (north) of Posada Barrancas, and several lookouts (as well as the adventure park) lie short distances off the road between here and Divisadero

Copper Canyon Adventure Park. In the Barrancas del Cobre Adventure Park, you can explore the Sierra Tarahumara in a different way and enjoy wonderful views of the more than 60 thousand square kilometers of visual range from different points, which makes the Copper Canyon in the mountainous system of ravines more extensive in Mexico.
In the Park, you can enjoy very interesting attractions, among which are the following.

Cable Car. This spectacular cable car features a three-kilometer span without intermediate support towers and can accommodate up to 60 passengers. The ride takes you to the station at Mesón de Bacajípare, where you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the meeting point of three magnificent canyons: Copper Canyon, Tararecua Canyon, and Urique Canyon.

ZipRider. For an unforgettable thrill, experience the 2,538-meter-long ZipRider—one of the longest zip lines in the world. Riders can reach speeds of approximately 80 to 135 kilometers per hour. Its automatic braking system safely reduces your speed as you approach the landing platform.

Creel. The Heart of the Sierra Tarahumara. Also known as Creel Station because it was a major railroad stop, is in the heart of the Western Sierra Madre. Until the 1960s, the train that we now know as the Chihuahua-Pacific ended its route at this Magical Town, the only one in Chihuahua. In addition to being a picturesque town evocative of the far west and bygone eras, Creel is also an excellent jumping-off point for visiting the Sierra Tarahumara, traveling in El Chepe, and adventuring about Copper Canyon (Barrancas del Cobre).

Tarahumaras. The Copper Canyon is the homeland of four distinct indigenous groups. By far the largest group, estimated at 50,000, is the Tarahumara, or Rarámuri, as they prefer to call themselves. They live in the canyons, preserving a way of life that has changed little over time. Many Rarámuris reside in the cooler, mountainous regions during the hot summer months and migrate deeper into the canyons in the cooler winter months, where the climate is more temperate. Some dwell in natural shelters such as caves or rock overhangs, or small wood or stone cabins.
They are well known for their long-distance running capabilities;, their name for themselves, Rarámuri, means “those who run fast”. Some Tarahumara sell handmade baskets and other items to tourists at stops along the railway route to help support their families.