Copper Canyon, stretching across Chihuahua, Mexico, is a behemoth of nature—six vast canyons converging and carving deeper, in places wider, than the Grand Canyon. For backcountry hikers, it’s more than a landscape; it’s a rugged realm fiercely alive, daring you to explore its steep paths and forested slopes.

Start your adventure aboard El Chepe, the legendary train siphoning through the mountains, threading over 656 kilometers of track and 37 bridges – an engineering feat with views that tease the canyon’s edge like a prelude. Yet, the true heart of Copper Canyon beats beneath its rim. Step off in Divisadero, a practical base with access to guided hikes leading down into the canyon’s pulse.

Trekking here means meeting terrain that shifts from pine-forested highlands to hot, subtropical riverbeds. The trails climb steeply, demanding respect and invigoration. Angled sunlight filters through dense limbs, shedding light on a landscape alive with jagged cliffs and whispering rivers that challenge your pace. The Rarámuri (Tarahumara) people, masters of these trails, move with fluidity and endurance, a connection you’ll sense walking alongside, especially if guided by local runners like Lorenzo – a veteran of the grueling 80km Caballo Blanco ultramarathon.

Plan for multi-day hikes that thread down to remote canyon villages like Batopilas or Urique, where the pulse of ancient life still beats. Each step brings you closer to the Rarámuri’s timeless relationship with the land, their stories etched in the very soil and stone.

For those keen on adrenaline outside the hike, Parque de Aventura Barrancas del Cobre offers ziplines that dart over vast drops, mixing thrill with panoramic vistas. Practical preparation is crucial: sturdy, broken-in footwear, reliable hydration, and layered clothing are essential against variable canyon conditions. Start early to avoid midday heat and watch the weather closely—canyons can summon sudden shifts.

This is a hike that humbles – trails that don’t just run through nature but grapple with it. The canyon’s fierce winds, echoing birdsong, and restless rivers don’t just exist as backdrop but as active forces inviting a deeper respect.

Whether you’re chasing the quiet solitude of canyon depths or connecting with the Rarámuri’s spirit of endurance, Copper Canyon’s backcountry offers an adventure calibrated for those ready to engage fully with a landscape that’s as legendary as it is alive.