- Arareko Lake: it is a beautiful mirror of water with
a 40-hectare extension surrounded by forests of pine trees,
junipers and poplars that configure the habitat of diverse bird
species, such as woodpeckers, bluebirds, herons and wild ducks.
There is a shelter in the place property of the Rarámuris where
travellers will not only find a pleasant place to spend the
night, but also motorboats, horses and bicycles that will make
your stay more fun.
It is located 5 kilometres away from Creel, in the common grounds of San Ignacio de Arareko.
- Cascade of Rukiraso: it is a waterfall 30 metres
high, with a vantage point that allows fully appreciating the
cascade and the Tararecua Ravine. There are several caves on
the surroundings that were anciently inhabited by the Rarámuris,
as is proven by the rock paintings on its walls. It is located
10 kilometres south of Creel, at the head of the Tararecua Ravine.
- Thermal Spring of Recowata: one of the most beautiful
springs in the region is in the midst of a dense forest of pine
trees, poplars and ilexes. Its average temperature is of 35º
Celsius. It is located 15 kilometres south of Creel. It is indispensable
to book a place with anticipation in order to visit the spring,
for just 20 persons a day are admitted. Besides, it is recommendable
to be in optimal physical conditions and to hire the services
of a local guide. The trip lasts for more than one hour.
- Cascade of Cusárare: here the waters fall with an
unusual strength from a 30-metre height, creating an awesome
natural spectacle. Cusárare (the little eagles) was the name
given to the place by the Tarahumara, the first inhabitants
of this area of impacting beauty located at 24 kilometres of
Creel.
In order to reach this imposing and vertiginous cascade you have to walk a 2.5-kilometre distance across a forest zone. The Mission of Cusárare, established by the Jesuits in the mid XVIII century, with its original architecture and its religious canvases painted by Tarahumara artists standing out, is within a stone's throw.
The cascade is the starting point of the Cusárare Ravine.
-Batopilas: it is one of the most traditional mining towns in
the Tarahumara Sierra; it is on the bottom of an 1800-metre deep
ravine and its origin dates back to 1708, when rich silver deposits,
which fell into the hands of companies from the United States by
the late XIX century, were discovered.
Its old architecture, surged from the mining bonanza, gives Batopilas a picturesque touch, having amongst its major tourist charms the Temple of the Mission of Satevó, from the mid XVIII century and belonging to the Order of the Jesuits, who built it aiming to evangelise the Tubare natives, an ethnic group existing no more.
It is located at 123 kilometres of Creel and has a shade of lodges ranging from Grand Tourism hotels to modest inns. Trade and tourism are currently the two main economic activities of the population, relegating mining to a secondary position.
-El Divisadero: it is an important train station
located at 50 kilometres from Creel, and also a privileged place
to watch the Tarahumara Sierra from above, enjoying a fabulous vision,
a panorama that stretches for 160 kilometres and allows appreciating
the Copper ravines of Tararecua and Urique.
The town has a comprehensive hotel infrastructure with lodges of rustic features and others of medieval characteristics the offer spectacular views from their rooms. Besides, in El Divisadero (2230 metres above sea level) travellers will find routes for the practice of trekking, mountain biking and horseback riding.
If you are looking for rather modest lodges, go to the Town of Areponápuchi, located at 5 kilometres of El Divisadero.
-Railway Chihuahua to Los Mochis: it is one of
the most spectacular railways in the world, an admirable work of
engineering that crosses the wild geography of Barrancas del Cobre
and the Tarahumara Sierra.
The entire trip from Chihuahua to Los Mochis (State of Sinaloa) lasts 12 hours. 86 tunnels and 39 bridges are crossed during this fascinating trip, and 12 stops are made at an equal number of towns. The average height of the trip is of 2700 metres above sea level.
The train service has two lines, being the most amazing one the railway connecting Chihuahua and the Pacific, a feat of engineering built between 1881 and 1961, a delay explained by several factors, such as the social and political convulsion that ruined Mexico during the first decades of the XXth Century, the lack of economic resources and the technical difficulties proper of such a complicated geography.
Although the trip is not exactly full of commodities, it is worth of trying and being one of the passengers on the fantastic adventure of discovering the Barrancas del Cobre and the Tarahumara Sierra from the window of an old car.
Amongst the rosary of towns the train crosses we have El Fuerte and Los Mochis, and although both belong to the State of Sinaloa, they are part of the Barrancas del Cobre and the Tarahumara Sierra; therefore they are worth of visiting.
- El Fuerte: it is a town of colonial origins with
beautiful houses and pitted streets, located at 80 kilometres
from Los Mochis, which was founded by Spanish conquistador Don
Francisco de Ibarra in order to protect himself from the Tehuecos
and Zuaques Indians.
- Los Mochis: it is the final station of the railroad
linking Chihuahua with the Pacific and one of the most important
commercial and transport centres of the State of Sinaloa. Everyday
hundreds of travellers arrive in order to transfer to Topolobampo,
the deepest seaport in the Pacific, or to take the train going
through the spectacular landscapes of the Barrancas del Cobre.
