Anyone seeking to renew their sense of adventure and feel a deep connection with nature has a date with the state of Chihuahua in 2026. In this Rarámuri land—where the world seems to conceal a treasure—lies one of Mexico’s most spectacular landscapes: the Copper Canyon, a system of canyons four times larger and twice as deep as Arizona’s Grand Canyon, best admired from the routes of the “El Chepe” train.
For travelers who don’t just want to see, but do and experience, the must-stop station is Divisadero, offering the best views of the Urique, Tararecua, and Copper canyons, with trails for hiking, biking, or horseback riding across rugged terrain where the only sound is your own steps. Divisadero is also home to the Adventure Park, where visitors can travel “through the sky” across hanging bridges, zip lines, climbing walls, and an aerial tramway spanning more than three kilometers. The panoramic views spark the imagination, with a visual reach estimated at over 60,000 square kilometres.
Staying overnight in Creel—one of Chihuahua’s five Pueblos Mágicos—is a must. Once merely a railway stop, it is now the heart of Rarámuri life, home to the Indigenous culture that has shaped the region. Their swift running has earned them international marathon titles, and their ancestral traditions remain vibrantly alive. Dressed in hand-made, colorful garments, they can be seen along the roads selling crafts and sharing conversations in their beautiful language. For a deeper cultural immersion, visit the Rarámuri village of San Ignacio Arareko, eight kilometers from Creel, where a small forest, a horseshoe-shaped lake, and an 18th-century limestone Jesuit mission await. Nearby are the Valleys of the Monks and Bisbarache, known for their towering rock pillars up to 30 meters tall, as well as the Rukiraso Waterfall, accessible via a path that winds through caves, streams, and ancient rock art.
The mining boom of the 17th century—when silver veins were as accessible as ripe fruit from the mountains—can still be felt in the Cerro Colorado and La Bufa mines near Batopilas, a Pueblo Mágico nestled deep within the canyon. It takes about three hours to reach Batopilas from Creel (with one notably steep and winding section best done with a specialized guide). Despite the challenging terrain, the journey is worth every moment: you’ll weave through stunning mountain scenery, crossing bridges, canals, rivers, and old pathways once used by Indigenous communities, Spanish missionaries, and fortune seekers.
Southwest of the state, 18 kilometers from the Bahuichivo train station, lies Cerocahui—a village with breathtaking viewpoints such as El Valle, El León, and Cerro del Gallego, overlooking the winding river and the town of Urique. Surrounded by mountains, this area enjoys a temperate climate, fertile soil for vineyards, and lush landscapes that attract abundant birdlife and wildlife.
The state capital, also named Chihuahua, offers the chance to feel the rhythm of sotol, the region’s denomination-of-origin spirit set to gain global attention in 2026. Visit Hacienda Paulina, El Faisán, or La Sotolería Bar to discover the history of sotol, its creamy variations, or its aged expressions with deep, robust aromas. In traditional cantinas, it can be paired with a fine steak, a discada taco, or Mennonite cheese—perhaps even with the legendary “snake sotol,” infused with a rattlesnake.
The state also offers brief but eye-opening excursions, such as the Mennonite fields near Cuauhtémoc, where German-descendant communities continue to live much as they did in the 16th century. Further north lie the Samalayuca Dunes near Ciudad Juárez, a cinematic landscape of fine sand hills perfect for sand boarding.
The big news for extreme-sports lovers is that throughout 2026, more than one hundred adventure sporting events will unfold across these natural settings—ultramarathons, motocross competitions, mountain biking, horseback routes, professional climbing, and triathlons—celebrating the 30th anniversary of the 2026 Adventure Tourism International Festival (FITA).
Connecting with the state of Chihuahua is connecting with the very essence of adventure, surrounded by an almost untouched natural world, while listening to the rhythmic echo of the train and surrendering to the richness of local culture.
Editor Ⅰ: Zhang Congxiao
Editor Ⅱ: Bao Gang
Editor Ⅲ: Liu Guosong
