Town 9 km north of Batopilas
A tiny gold-mining village upriver on the old Camino Real trail; the usual first stop on hikes from Batopilas toward Urique.
Cerro Colorado is a tiny mining village upriver from Batopilas, tucked into the canyon on the old Camino Real, the mule trail that once carried silver out of the barranca. It is the kind of place you reach on foot or by bike rather than by tour bus, and for most people it is either a destination for a long day hike or the first night's stop on the classic trek from Batopilas to Urique.
The area was mined for gold and silver, and the old Cerro Colorado mine is the reason to come. With a local guide you can walk through its tunnels, canals and stone grinding mills (tahonas), and cross the Guamúchil bridge, with views down into the canyon.
Life here is simple and slow, with a few houses, small farms and the river nearby. The trail from Batopilas follows the river and is well used, but it is hot and exposed for much of the year, so the cooler months from October to March are the best time to go.
What to see and do
Tour the old Cerro Colorado mine with a local guide: tunnels, canals and stone mills.
Cross the Guamúchil bridge for a view into the canyon.
Hike the old Camino Real mule trail along the river from Batopilas.
Use the village as the first stop on a multi-day trek toward Urique.
Getting there
Cerro Colorado lies upriver from Batopilas and is usually reached on foot or by mountain bike along the old trail; plan on a long day there and back, or stay overnight. Hire a guide in Batopilas, both for the route and for the mine visit. Carry at least a few liters of water per person, especially for the shadeless climbs, and avoid the hottest months.
9 km north of Batopilas
Directions from Batopilas on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Places to stay in Cerro Colorado
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Tours & activities
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Weather mild
Cerro Colorado shares the climate of Batopilas, 9 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Mar, Nov, Dec.
Make Batopilas your base
Cerro Colorado is an easy trip from Batopilas, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Batopilas
-
Misión de Satevó
· Landmark · 4 km away
The 'Lost Cathedral': a domed brick mission church standing almost alone in the canyon, a few kilometers downriver from Batopilas. -
Mirador La Bufa
· Viewpoint · 16 km away
The breathtaking lookout where the road from Creel starts its switchback plunge into the Batopilas canyon, more than a kilometer deep. -
Urique
· Town · 27 km away
The canyon-bottom town at the end of the classic Batopilas–Urique trek, about 3 days on foot; home of the Rarámuri ultramarathon.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.