El Chepe Express: Mexico's Most Scenic Train Ride | Copper Canyon
Mexico's El Chepe Express might be the most underrated train ride in North America.
The route runs from the coastal city of Los Mochis into the heart of Chihuahua's Sierra Madre Occidental. In a single day, it climbs nearly 8,000 feet.
Along the way, it cuts through four distinct ecosystems — coastal desert, rainforest, and high-altitude pine forest. Dozens of bridges and tunnels punctuate the route.
The Post and Courier's Autumn Phillips recently rode the full line. Instead of taking it straight through, she broke the trip into multiple stops.
That meant multi-night stays in towns like Divisadero, right on the rim of Copper Canyon. From her hotel balcony, she watched morning fog lift off the canyon floor.
What stands out most in her account isn't just the scenery. It's the case for slowing the trip down.
Most travelers treat El Chepe as a single nine-hour ride between two points. But stopping along the route opens up canyon-rim hikes, cable car crossings, and encounters with the Tarahumara (Rarámuri) communities who've lived in this region for generations.
It's a reminder that the "bucket list train ride" framing undersells what's actually a much richer, slower travel experience.
You can read her full account and trip details in the original article linked below.
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