This iconic train journey departing from Los Mochis—officially named the Chihuahua al Pacífico Railroad and affectionately known as El Chepe—offers one of North America’s most spectacular rail experiences through Mexico’s vast Copper Canyon system.
Extraordinary Engineering
Completed in 1961 after nearly a century of planning and construction, El Chepe is as an extraordinary engineering achievement. The railway climbs from sea level to over 8,000 feet, crossing 37 bridges and passing through 86 tunnels along its 400-mile route. Construction crews faced immense challenges, sometimes suspending workers on ropes down sheer cliff faces to place dynamite charges by hand.
The full journey from Los Mochis to Chihuahua takes approximately 16 hours, though most travelers opt to break the trip into segments to explore the magnificent landscape and cultural sites along the way.
The Journey
Starting in Los Mochis near the Sea of Cortez, the train initially crosses fertile agricultural plains before beginning its ascent into the Sierra Madre Occidental. About three hours in, El Chepe reaches the colonial town of El Fuerte, founded in 1563 and named for a nearby fortress built to protect Spanish settlers.
From here, the landscape transforms dramatically. Tropical vegetation gives way to pine forests as the train climbs higher. The tracks cling precariously to mountainsides, cross ravines on towering bridges, and disappear into tunnels carved through solid rock.
Despite its name, Copper Canyon (Barrancas del Cobre) gets its copper-green color not from copper deposits but from lichens growing on the canyon walls. The system comprises six distinct canyons, collectively covering an area four times larger and in places over 1,000 feet deeper than the Grand Canyon. At its deepest point, Urique Canyon plunges 6,200 feet from rim to floor.
The most spectacular viewpoint comes at Divisadero station, where passengers have a brief stop to take in panoramic vistas stretching across multiple canyons. For those continuing on organized tours, a stop at nearby Posada Barrancas offers opportunities to ride the aerial tramway that crosses the canyon, descending almost 4,500 feet to experience its immensity up close.
The canyons are home to the Tarahumara (or Rarámuri) indigenous people, who maintain their distinct cultural identity despite centuries of outside influence. Known for their exceptional long-distance running abilities, many Tarahumara still live in traditional cave dwellings and practice a semi-nomadic lifestyle.
At various stops along the route, Tarahumara women sell intricate handcrafted baskets, wooden carvings, and textiles. Their crafts showcase geometric patterns passed down through generations.
El Chepe with A Closer Look Tours
A Closer Look Tours integrates the El Chepe train journey as a highlight of their comprehensive 9-day Copper Canyon adventure. On Day 5 of their itinerary, travelers board the train at Posada Barrancas and descend through the Sierra Madre Mountains to El Fuerte, experiencing the dramatic transition from 7,500 feet elevation to near sea level.
What sets this tour apart is its thoughtful integration of the train experience with cultural immersion. Before boarding El Chepe, guests spend two nights at a canyon-rim hotel, including a day exploring the region via aerial tramway that descends nearly 4,500 feet into the canyon depths.
The tour extends beyond just the train ride to offer a complete experience of northern Mexico. From UNESCO World Heritage sites like Paquimé archaeological zone to colonial towns like El Fuerte and Álamos, the itinerary combines natural wonders with historical exploration. It even includes visits to indigenous Mayo villages for ceremonial dances and tortilla-making demonstrations, plus a marine excursion on the Sea of Cortez.
