Journey from El Fuerte into the Heart of Copper Canyon
There are train journeys—and then there is El Chepe Express.
Traveling through the dramatic landscapes of northern Mexico, the famous Copper Canyon train carries passengers from the lowlands of Sinaloa into the mountains of the Sierra Tarahumara and the spectacular Barrancas del Cobre, or Copper Canyon.
For travelers staying in El Fuerte, Sinaloa, boarding El Chepe is much more than transportation. It is the beginning of one of Mexico’s great travel experiences.
Hotel Torres del Fuerte, located in the historic Pueblo Mágico of El Fuerte, offers travelers a memorable place to stay before beginning their journey aboard the Chepe Express. Spend time discovering the history, architecture, culture and hospitality of El Fuerte, then continue by rail into the mountains and canyons of Chihuahua.
What Is El Chepe?
El Chepe is the popular name for the Chihuahua-Pacific Railway, or Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico. Its famous passenger service connects the Pacific side of northern Mexico with the Sierra Tarahumara and Copper Canyon region.
The modern Chepe Express travels more than 350 kilometers (approximately 220 miles) between Los Mochis, Sinaloa, and Creel, Chihuahua. A complete journey takes approximately nine to ten hours of actual train travel, although many travelers turn the route into a multi-day vacation by stopping along the way.
The principal Chepe Express destinations are:
Los Mochis → El Fuerte → Bahuichivo → Divisadero → Creel
Along the journey, the landscape changes dramatically—from the agricultural lowlands of Sinaloa to rugged mountains, forests, rivers, bridges, tunnels and the enormous canyon landscapes of the Sierra Tarahumara.
This remarkable combination of railway engineering, scenery, culture and history has made El Chepe one of Mexico’s most famous train journeys.
El Fuerte: Gateway to the Copper Canyon
For many travelers, El Fuerte is the ideal place to begin the Chepe Express journey into Copper Canyon.
Rather than simply traveling from Los Mochis directly into the mountains, beginning your adventure with a stay in El Fuerte gives you the opportunity to experience one of northern Mexico’s most historic communities.
El Fuerte is a designated Pueblo Mágico known for its colonial architecture, historic center, traditional plazas, Fuerte River, regional cuisine and strong Mayo-Yoreme cultural heritage.
It is a destination worth experiencing—not simply a train stop.
Stay a night or two, walk through the historic center, enjoy dinner, explore the surrounding region and get a good night’s rest before boarding the train for the spectacular climb toward Copper Canyon.
For guests of Hotel Torres del Fuerte, the Chepe adventure begins before you ever step aboard the train.
The Chepe Express Route from El Fuerte
After departing El Fuerte, the railway begins one of the most memorable portions of the journey.
The route climbs from Sinaloa toward the Sierra Tarahumara, passing through increasingly rugged terrain on its way toward Chihuahua.
El Fuerte
Your journey begins in the historic Pueblo Mágico of El Fuerte, Sinaloa.
Its colonial character, cultural heritage and location along the railway make El Fuerte an excellent starting point for travelers heading toward Copper Canyon.
Bahuichivo
From El Fuerte, the Chepe Express continues toward Bahuichivo, a mountain station that provides access to the communities and landscapes around Cerocahui and the Urique Canyon region.
The scheduled El Fuerte-to-Bahuichivo portion of the journey takes approximately four hours.
As the train travels deeper into the mountains, the scenery becomes increasingly dramatic.
Divisadero
For many visitors, Divisadero is one of the most anticipated stops on the entire Chepe journey.
Here, travelers encounter the enormous scale of the Copper Canyon system, with dramatic viewpoints looking across a landscape of deep canyons and rugged mountain formations.
Divisadero and the surrounding Barrancas del Cobre area are also associated with some of the region’s best-known outdoor experiences.
This is where the words Copper Canyon become something you can finally see stretching across the horizon.
Creel
The Chepe Express continues to Creel, Chihuahua, another Pueblo Mágico and one of the principal tourism centers of the Sierra Tarahumara.
Surrounded by pine forests, unusual rock formations, valleys, lakes and indigenous communities, Creel provides an excellent base for further exploration of the region.
For travelers beginning in El Fuerte, reaching Creel represents an extraordinary transition—from the warm landscapes and historic architecture of northern Sinaloa to the forests and mountains of Chihuahua.
Experience Copper Canyon by Train
Copper Canyon is not simply one canyon.
The Barrancas del Cobre are an immense network of canyons carved through the Sierra Madre Occidental. The landscape encompasses towering cliffs, deep ravines, rivers, forests and remote mountain communities.
Traveling aboard El Chepe provides a perspective that would be difficult to experience by road alone.
The railway winds through mountainous terrain, crosses bridges and disappears into tunnels as it climbs into the Sierra Tarahumara.
Sometimes the attraction is the destination.
On El Chepe, the journey itself is one of the attractions.
A Remarkable Achievement of Railway Engineering
Part of what makes the Chepe journey so fascinating is understanding what was required to build a railway through this landscape.
The Chihuahua-Pacific rail corridor crosses extremely challenging mountain terrain, requiring an extraordinary system of bridges, tunnels, curves and mountain passages.
The railway represents generations of engineering work designed to connect the Pacific region with the interior of northern Mexico.
Today, passengers experience the results from the comfort of the train while looking out across landscapes that demonstrate just how ambitious the railway project was.
For travelers interested in trains, engineering, history or photography, the railway itself is every bit as fascinating as the destinations along the route.
More Than Scenery: The Culture of the Sierra Tarahumara
The journey also enters the homeland of the Rarámuri, one of Mexico’s most recognized Indigenous peoples.
The Rarámuri have lived throughout the Sierra Tarahumara for generations, maintaining cultural traditions closely connected with the mountains and remote communities of the region.
Travelers should approach these communities with respect and remember that the Sierra Tarahumara is not simply a tourist attraction—it is home to people whose history and culture long predate the railway.
This cultural dimension adds another layer to the Chepe experience and helps travelers better understand the extraordinary region through which they are traveling.
What Is the Chepe Express Like?
The modern Chepe Express was designed specifically for travelers exploring this remarkable route.
Depending on the class selected, onboard amenities can include comfortable passenger seating, dining facilities, food and beverage service, a bar and access to viewing areas.
Current Chepe Express service offers First Class, Executive Class and Tourist Class options, allowing travelers to choose the experience that best matches their itinerary and budget.
But regardless of class, you’ll want to spend plenty of time looking outside.
The constantly changing scenery is the star of the journey.
Can You Stop Along the Chepe Route?
Yes—and for many travelers, that is the best way to experience El Chepe.
Instead of treating the journey as a single train ride, travelers can plan approved stopovers along the route when arranging their tickets in advance.
That makes it possible to create a multi-day itinerary incorporating destinations such as:
El Fuerte
Bahuichivo and the Urique/Cerocahui region
Divisadero and Copper Canyon
Creel and the Sierra Tarahumara
A well-planned Chepe itinerary can therefore become a complete northern Mexico vacation rather than simply a day aboard a train.
Always confirm permitted stopovers, operating days and reservation requirements when purchasing your tickets.
Why Stay in El Fuerte Before Taking El Chepe?
Starting your Copper Canyon journey in El Fuerte creates a very different experience from simply arriving at a station and boarding a train.
El Fuerte gives you another destination.
Spend your time exploring the historic center, Plaza de Armas, colonial buildings and local attractions. Discover the Fuerte River and the region’s Mayo-Yoreme heritage. Enjoy regional cuisine. Relax in a historic setting before heading into the mountains.
And perhaps most importantly:
Wake up in El Fuerte knowing that your journey into Copper Canyon begins that morning.
That anticipation is part of the experience.
Stay at Hotel Torres del Fuerte Before Your Chepe Journey
Make Hotel Torres del Fuerte part of your Copper Canyon adventure.
Our historic hotel in El Fuerte, Sinaloa features 26 rooms, beautiful patios, gardens and inviting lounge areas, along with a restaurant and bar—all in one of Mexico’s most fascinating Pueblo Mágicos.
Spend the evening relaxing at the hotel, enjoy the atmosphere of historic El Fuerte, and prepare for the next stage of your journey aboard the Chepe Express.
Whether El Fuerte is the beginning of your Copper Canyon vacation or the final stop before returning toward the Pacific coast, Hotel Torres del Fuerte offers a natural place to make the transition between the railway and the destination.
Make El Fuerte Part of the Journey
One of the biggest mistakes travelers can make is thinking of El Fuerte only as the place where they board the train.
Don’t just pass through El Fuerte. Experience it.
Explore the Pueblo Mágico.
Discover its history.
Enjoy its food.
Meet its people.
Stay in a historic hotel.
Then board El Chepe and watch the landscape transform as the railway carries you from Sinaloa toward the mountains and Copper Canyon.
It creates a journey with two very different chapters:
Historic El Fuerte and the adventure of the Sierra Tarahumara.
Plan Your El Chepe & Copper Canyon Adventure
Planning a Chepe journey can involve more than purchasing a train ticket. Travelers may need to coordinate hotel stays, train schedules, stopovers, ground transportation, tours and accommodations throughout the Copper Canyon region.
Hotel Torres del Fuerte can serve as your home base in El Fuerte, while our local travel partners can assist travelers who want to build a more complete Copper Canyon experience.
Whether you’re planning a short Chepe getaway or a multi-day journey through northern Mexico, El Fuerte is a wonderful place to begin.
Your Copper Canyon Journey Starts in El Fuerte
Stay at Hotel Torres del Fuerte. Explore a historic Pueblo Mágico. Board the legendary El Chepe Express. Discover Copper Canyon.
Experience the Journey
This Chepe Express video offers a brief glimpse into the colors, landscapes, culture, and people that make the journey through El Fuerte and Mexico’s Copper Canyon so unforgettable. From historic towns and local traditions to the dramatic mountains and deep canyons of the Sierra Tarahumara, every mile reveals something new. Watch the scenery change as El Chepe climbs into the mountains and discover why this legendary train journey is considered one of the most remarkable travel experiences in Mexico.
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