The hook
A network of vast canyons deeper and larger overall than the Grand Canyon, crossed by one of the world's great railway journeys, in a rugged sierra that is the homeland of the Rarámuri, famed as some of the finest long-distance runners on Earth.
01Why it's worth it
In the Sierra Madre of northern Mexico, a system of interconnected gorges collectively known as Copper Canyon (Barrancas del Cobre) plunges through the highlands, and taken together it is larger and, in places, deeper than the Grand Canyon, a landscape of immense scale and beauty far off the tourist trail. The classic way to experience it is aboard El Chepe, the Chihuahua–Pacific railway, an engineering marvel that climbs from the coast up into the sierra through dozens of tunnels and bridges, unfurling spectacular canyon views along the way, one of the last great passenger train journeys in the Americas. The canyons are home to the Rarámuri (Tarahumara) people, who have kept much of their traditional life in the remote sierra and are renowned worldwide as extraordinary ultra-distance runners, able to cover astonishing distances across the rugged terrain in simple sandals. Getting off the train to hike the canyon trails, stay in rim towns like Creel and Divisadero, and visit Rarámuri communities reveals a wild, culturally rich Mexico few visitors ever see.
02How to experience it
Ride El Chepe for the canyon scenery, breaking the journey at towns like Creel, Divisadero (for the rim viewpoints and via ferrata), and Bahuichivo to hike into the canyons and visit Rarámuri communities respectfully. Allow several days to do more than just pass through, and go in spring or autumn for the mildest weather.