Barrancas

Located in the state of Chihuahua, the stations of Posada Barrancas and El Divisadero are less than 4-kilometres apart, but if travelling from Los Mochis, you will arrive at Posada Barrancas first. Both are set on the edge of the canyon and have some of the best viewpoints of the journey, making this a popular area for train travellers to spend at least one night. While there is only one hotel at Divisadero, Posada Barrancas offers more choice in terms of accommodation and restaurant options.

Set at an altitude of 2,400-metres above sea level, the views are breathtaking, but the altitude means it does get chilly in the evenings. Along with horse riding, hiking and mountain biking into the canyon, one of the most popular attractions along the El Chepe route can be found here, the Parque de Aventura Barrancas del Cobre (Copper Canyon Adventure Park), which opened in 2010 and most hotels run a shuttle service for easy transportation. The park offers a wide range of activities, including the most relaxing way to see the canyon on the Teleférico cable car, which takes passengers to the Mesa de Bacajipare viewpoint and back, while adventure lovers might prefer to take the longest and fastest zipline in the world, reaching speeds of up to 130-kilometres per hour. Alternatively, try the seven zipline circuit around the canyon, or fly over the forest canopy on the Bosque Aereo. There is also a 7-metre high artificial rock-climbing and abseiling wall, Rocodromo.

In terms of more leisurely pursuits, for those looking for a unique and unusual souvenir, this is a great place to buy pine baskets or wood carvings from the Tarahumara Indians who sell their handicrafts from the street stalls in the town. A stay in Barrancas is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the natural wonder of the canyon, one of nature’s great playgrounds. We’d recommend at least one night here to soak up the views and enjoy some adventurous and relaxing pursuits.