Barranca del Cobre Southern Rim Trail
Mexico's Grand Canyon with serious consequences
The Barranca del Cobre Southern Rim Trail traces the knife-edge rim of Mexico’s Grand Canyon, following Tarahumara hunting paths and mining roads along cliffs that drop 6,000 feet into the Rio Urique. This technical route connects remote Tarahumara settlements like Basaseachic and Cusárare, navigating boulder fields and exposed ledges where one wrong move means a very long fall. The trail passes ancient cave dwellings and offers heart-stopping viewpoints into six interconnected canyons that dwarf Arizona’s famous gorge.
Difficult rating reflects serious exposure, technical rock crawling, and the remoteness factor — help is days away if things go wrong. You need a short-wheelbase 4WD with rock sliders and experienced spotters for the cliff sections. Dry season from October through May offers the safest conditions when flash flood risk drops. Respect Tarahumara land by camping only at designated spots and packing out all trash. Fuel and supplies in Creel, then you’re on your own. The payoff is Mexico’s most dramatic canyon scenery and a glimpse into one of North America’s last indigenous strongholds.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 62 mi / 99.8 km |
| Duration | 3-4 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 7234 ft |
| Best season | October-May |
| Minimum vehicle | Short-wheelbase 4WD with rock protection |
| Nearest town | Creel, Chihuahua |
| Land manager | Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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