Barrancas del Cobre Rim Road

The Barrancas del Cobre Rim Road carves a precarious line along the edges of Mexico’s legendary Copper Canyon system, deeper and more expansive than the Grand Canyon. Starting from Creel, this dirt and rock track winds for 85 kilometers through pine forests and past Tarahumara ranchitos before delivering you to the breathtaking overlook at Divisadero. The route passes through the village of San Ignacio de Arareko, where ancient volcanic formations create a moonscape of towering stone pillars, and crosses the rim near Barranca de Urique where condors ride thermals thousands of feet above the canyon floor.

This is technical driving that demands respect — loose rock, narrow sections with thousand-foot drops, and weather that can shift from blazing sun to snow in hours. High-clearance 4WD minimum, with low-range gearing essential for the steep descents. Best tackled April through October when mountain weather cooperates, though even summer brings afternoon thunderstorms. No permits needed, but bring plenty of water and fuel — the nearest reliable gas is back in Creel. What you get is access to one of North America’s most dramatic landscapes and encounters with the Tarahumara people whose endurance running culture has survived in these impossible canyons for centuries.