ECOTOURISM

The canyon system has more than 500 flora species, including 15 pine and 25 oak varieties. It is also the habitat of 300 bird species, 87 reptile varieties, 20 types of amphibians and 50 kinds of freshwater fish. Needless to say, it is one of the most biologically diverse regions in the world. In addition, the canyons have impressive waterfalls, which you can appreciate up close or from various lookouts.

Barranca del Cobre. Located between the towns of Urique and Creel, in the central part of the Parque Natural Barrancas del Cobre. This canyon has a depth of 1300 meters (4,290 feet) and it gets its name from the copper that was mined in the area. From the top of the Mogotabo lookout you?ll see an amazing steep and a beautiful pine and oak forest.

Barranca de Sinforosa. Located in the southeastern part of the Parque Natural Barrancas del Cobre, 16 km (10 mi) from the town of Guachochi. This canyon is 120 km (74 mi) in length and has a spectacular lookout called Cumbres de Sinforosa. The highest point of the canyon?s rim is the Cumbres de Guerachi, which is 1830 meters (6,039 feet).

Barranca de Urique. Located in the central part of the Parque Natural Barrancas del Cobre, near El Divisadero. This is the deepest canyon with a drop of 1879 meters (6,200 feet). To arrive here, you?ll find ground transportation departing from Creel. From the lookout points you can appreciate a large pine and oak forest, which is the habitat of eagles, woodpeckers, deer, raccoons and coypu, among other animal species.

Barranca de Batopilas. Located in the southern part of the Parque Natural Barrancas del Cobre, between the towns of Creel and Guachochi. This canyon?s La Bufa lookout, which offers a breathtaking view, is 1800 meters (5,940 feet) high.

Barranca de Chinipas. Located in the southwestern part of the Parque Natural Barrancas del Cobre, near Urique. You can arrive by train at the Temoris station. At the bottom of the canyon, which is 1600 meters (5,280 feet) deep, you?ll see the Chinipas River, which is part of the Rio Fuerte river basin. In this canyon, you can also visit the oldest mission town in the Sierra Tarahumara, which was founded in 1626.

Barranca de Oteros. Located in the northern part of the Parque Natural Barrancas del Cobre, between the towns of Uruachi and Maguarichi. From the Maguarichi lookout you can hike along a beautiful trail that leads to thermal springs.

Barranca de Candameña. Located in the northern part of the Parque Natural Barrancas del Cobre, within another park called the Parque Nacional Cascada de Basaseachi, which covers some 625 hectares (1,543 acres). This place has forests, canyons, streams and the Basaseachi Waterfall, which is 246 meters (812 feet) high. It is one of Mexico?s biggest waterfalls, the fifth tallest in the Americas and ranks 21^st worldwide. From the Ventana lookout you?ll get a spectacular view of the waterfall.

Cascada de Piedra Volada. Located in the northwestern part of the Parque Natural Barrancas del Cobre, 7 km (4 mi) from Basaseachi, in the Candameña Canyon. This rocky waterfall is 453 meters (1,495 feet) tall. The lookout offers a view of the 700-meter (2,310-foot) cliff and a pine and oak forest.