Town 27 km northwest of Batopilas
The canyon-bottom town at the end of the classic Batopilas–Urique trek, about 3 days on foot; home of the Rarámuri ultramarathon.
Urique is a small, warm town at the bottom of the Urique canyon, often described as the deepest in the Copper Canyon system at close to 1,900 meters. The climate down here is hot and feels a world away from the pine forests on the rim.
For hikers, Urique is the end point of the most popular multi-day trek in the region: the route from Batopilas over the ridges via Cerro Colorado, roughly 50 kilometers that usually take about three days. It is a demanding walk with long, exposed climbs, best done between October and March with a local guide.
Urique is also famous among runners. Every year it hosts the Ultramaratón Caballo Blanco, founded by Micah True in 2003 and made world-famous by the book Born to Run, where international runners line up next to Rarámuri athletes in their sandals. Race weekend fills the town with music, food and visitors.
What to see and do
Finish the three-day trek from Batopilas with a local guide.
Time your visit for the Ultramaratón Caballo Blanco and cheer on the Rarámuri runners.
Cool off in the Urique River after a hot day in the canyon.
Stop at the Cerro del Gallego viewpoint on the road down, high above the canyon.
Getting there
From Batopilas, Urique is reached on foot: the classic trek covers about 50 kilometers in roughly three days and should be done with a local guide. By road, Urique is approached from the other side of the canyon, from the Bahuichivo station on the Chepe train via Cerocahui and the Cerro del Gallego viewpoint, followed by a long, winding dirt descent; allow several hours and ask locally about conditions.
27 km northwest 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 Urique
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Photos
Weather mild
Urique shares the climate of Batopilas, 27 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Mar, Nov, Dec.
Make Batopilas your base
Urique 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. -
Cerro Colorado
· Town · 9 km away
A tiny gold-mining village upriver on the old Camino Real trail; the usual first stop on hikes from Batopilas toward Urique. -
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.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.