Barrancas del Cobre (The Copper Canyon)

The majestic Copper Canyon, a nature park in the state of Chihuahua, spans more than 600 km (372 mi) in length and 250 km (155 mi) in width. Due to the various types of terrain, you’ll experience extreme climates, with cold winds in the high areas and hot weather at the bottom of the canyons, where it can reach up to 40º C (104º F) during the summer.
This enormous canyon system is deeper than the Grand Canyon at certain points; the average depth is between 1520 to 1879 meters (5,017 to 6,200 feet). Among some of the major canyons are the Urique, Sinforosa, Batopilas, Candameña, Huapoca and Septentrion, to mention just a few. The impressive natural environment is the habitat of a countless number of plant and animal species.

One of the best ways to see the Copper Canyon’s natural wonders is by train. The Chihuahua-Pacifico train, also known as Chepe, makes several stops along the way.

Not only does the park offer spectacular natural beauty, but it also allows you to enjoy ecotourism outings and adventure sports. In fact, it hosts the Festival de Turismo de Aventura (Festival of Adventure Tourism), which draws hundreds of visitors from all over the world each year. What’s more, you can witness the magic and mysticism of the Holy Week festivities held in Raramuri indigenous communities. During your stay, you can also visit 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.

WHITEWATER RAFTING

In the Parque Nacional Barrancas del Cobre you’ll find several rivers where you can go rafting, particularly during the rainy season from June to September, when the rivers swell and the rapids become much more challenging.

Rio Papigochi. Located in the northern part of the Parque Nacional Barrancas del Cobre, about 50 km (31 mi) west of Madera. This river runs through the Huapoca region, along the bottom of the Huapoca Canyon. The class III rapids are ideal for whitewater rafting.

El Rio Urique. Located in the central region of the Parque Nacional Barrancas del Cobre, in the town of Urique. This river, which runs along the bottom of the Copper Canyon, is navigable year-round; it has class III and IV rapids.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

The Copper Canyon has many routes for hiking and horseback riding. The large canyons are also ideal for rappelling and climbing. If you’d like to do these activities, we recommend that you hire a professional guide.

Peña del Gigante – Located in the northwestern part of the Parque Natural Barrancas del Cobre, in the Candameña Canyon, within the Parque Nacional Cascada de Basaseachi. This impressive steep has an 884-meter (2,917-foot) vertical cliff. The five routes have 5.12 and 5.13 grades of difficulty, making them ideal for rappelling and climbing.

Rancho San Lorenzo – Located in the northwestern part of the Parque Natural Barrancas del Cobre, in the heart of the Sierra Tarahumara, within the Parque Nacional Cascada de Basaseachi. This is a great spot for rock climbing, as it has 54 routes with varying difficulty levels, ranging from 5.8 to 5.13. In addition, this place offers lodging, food service and guided tours.

For more information: http://www.visitmexico.com/

Copper Canyon City Tour