Viewpoint 13 km south of Guachochi
The 'queen of the canyons': the Cumbres de Sinforosa lookout south of Guachochi peers down some 1,800 m to the Río Verde.
The Barranca de Sinforosa is the great canyon of the southern Sierra Tarahumara, and many people who have seen the whole region call it the most spectacular of all. Carved by the Río Verde, it is narrow and extraordinarily steep, with walls that drop roughly 1,800 meters from pine forest on the rim to semi-tropical vegetation along the river.
The easy way to see it is the Cumbres de Sinforosa viewpoint, about 18 kilometers south of Guachochi. From the platform you look straight down into the gorge and along its folds, with the river visible far below. The viewpoint has set opening hours during the day and charges a small entry fee.
For the adventurous, the canyon is also a hiking destination. Trails drop from the rim toward the Rosalinda waterfall and down to the river, where a rustic suspension bridge crosses near the remains of the old Sinforosa ranch. These are demanding descents in heat and steep terrain, best done with a local guide or tour operator from Guachochi.
What to see and do
Stand at the Cumbres de Sinforosa lookout and trace the Río Verde at the bottom of the gorge.
Come at sunrise or late afternoon, when shadows bring out the canyon's depth.
Hike down toward the Rosalinda waterfall with a guide.
Go all the way to the river and the hanging bridge on a guided overnight trip.
Getting there
The Cumbres de Sinforosa viewpoint is about 18 kilometers south of Guachochi, a short drive by car or taxi; tour operators in town also run trips. Guachochi itself is about 3 hours by road from Creel or from Hidalgo del Parral. Descents into the canyon are steep and hot, require a 4x4 or a long hike, and should be done with a guide.
13 km south of Guachochi
Directions from Guachochi on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Places to stay in Barranca de Sinforosa
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Weather cool
Barranca de Sinforosa shares the climate of Guachochi, 13 km away. The best months to visit are Apr, May, Jun, Oct.
Make Guachochi your base
Barranca de Sinforosa is an easy trip from Guachochi, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Guachochi
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Cascada Rosalinda
· Waterfall · 13 km away
An 80-meter free-falling waterfall inside the Sinforosa canyon, about two hours' hike down from the rim; go with a guide. -
Tónachi
· Town · 25 km away
A Rarámuri community with the 1752 mission of San Juan Bautista and two waterfalls nearby, Salto Chico and Salto Grande. -
Norogachi
· Town · 51 km away
A Jesuit mission town founded in 1690, famous for the Rarámuri Holy Week dances held in its churchyard.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.