Nature reserve 8 km east of Creel
Bisabírachi to the Rarámuri: a valley of tall, upright rock columns that legend says were monks turned to stone. Best with a local guide.
The Valle de los Monjes is a quiet valley east of Creel filled with tall, narrow rock columns that stand upright like a crowd of hooded figures. The Rarámuri call it Bisabírachi, and it is often translated as the place of the "monks" or of the stone columns. Some of the pillars rise more than 30 meters, shaped over millions of years by wind, rain and frost.
A local legend says the rocks were once monks who stood meditating for so long that they turned to stone. Whatever you believe, the effect is strongest in the early morning or late afternoon, when the columns throw long shadows across the meadow and the pines.
The valley lies on the land of the Rarámuri ejido of San Ignacio de Arareko, which charges a small entry fee. It is less visited than Lago de Arareko, partly because the last stretch is on rough tracks, so it often feels empty and very still. Going with a local guide, on foot, by bike or on horseback, is the usual and recommended way.
What to see and do
Walk among the rock columns and look for the ones that resemble hooded monks.
Come at sunrise or late afternoon for long shadows and soft light.
Ride in on horseback or by mountain bike with a guide from Creel.
Ask your Rarámuri guide about the legend of the stone monks.
Getting there
The valley is roughly 9 to 11 kilometers from Creel, beyond the San Ignacio de Arareko ejido; plan on two to three hours for the visit. The easiest way is with a certified guide from Creel, who can arrange bikes or horses; the last part is on dirt tracks that are rough for ordinary cars. The ejido collects a small entry fee.
8 km east of Creel
Directions from Creel on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Weather cool
Valle de los Monjes shares the climate of Creel, 8 km away. The best months to visit are Apr, May, Sep, Oct.
Make Creel your base
Valle de los Monjes is an easy trip from Creel, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Creel
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San Ignacio de Arareko
· Town · 3 km away
The Rarámuri ejido next to Creel: an old stone mission church and the rock-filled Valle de las Ranas and Valle de los Hongos. -
Lago de Arareko
· Lake · 7 km away
A horseshoe-shaped lake in pine forest run by the Rarámuri ejido of San Ignacio, with rowboats, cabins and lakeside trails. -
Aguas Termales de Recowata
· Hot springs · 12 km away
Hot spring pools deep in the Tararecua canyon, run by the San Ignacio ejido; about 3 km down on foot, so save energy for the climb. -
Cascada de Cusárare
· Waterfall · 16 km away
A 30-meter waterfall reached by a pine-forest trail from the Rarámuri village of Cusárare and its 18th-century Jesuit mission. -
Divisadero
· Viewpoint · 31 km away
The Chepe's famous canyon stop: rim views over three canyons, plus the cable car and zip lines of the Barrancas del Cobre park.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.