The Copper Canyon is a vast, rugged network of six canyons in northern Mexico.

Countries & Cities · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Spanning 65,000 square kilometres, this dramatic landscape in the Sierra Madre Occidental is home to the Rarámuri people. Known for their legendary endurance running, they have long used the canyon's extreme vertical terrain to maintain their independence and preserve their traditional way of life against outside encroachment.

The Copper Canyon, or Barrancas del Cobre, is not a single gorge but a complex system of six distinct canyons carved by rivers draining into the Gulf of California. The name derives from the distinctive copper-green hue of the canyon walls. The region's climate is highly varied; while the high plateaus experience alpine conditions and support pine and oak forests, the canyon bottoms remain humid and tropical year-round. This ecological diversity is increasingly threatened by deforestation, open-pit mining, and infrastructure projects, which have contributed to the decline of species like the Tarahumara frog.

The Rarámuri, or Tarahumara, have inhabited these mountains for centuries. Following the arrival of the New Spanish in the 17th century, who sought silver and gold, many indigenous people were forced off more accessible lands and into the remote canyon cliffs. Today, an estimated 70,000 Rarámuri maintain a semi-nomadic lifestyle, migrating between the cool, high-altitude regions in summer and the temperate canyon floors in winter. Their survival strategy relies on occupying areas so rugged and isolated that they remain largely beyond the reach of urban influence.

Modern access to this remote wilderness is defined by the ChePe railroad, a feat of engineering completed in 1961 after decades of delays caused by the Mexican Revolution and difficult terrain. The line spans 652 kilometres, featuring 86 tunnels and 39 bridges. While the railroad has opened the region to tourism, the impact of this industry remains a point of contention. Some communities embrace the economic opportunities of roads and lodging, while others reject such development to protect their cultural autonomy. For many, the canyon remains a sanctuary where traditional practices, such as the rarajipari ball-kicking race, continue to thrive.

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