Batopilas to Cerro Colorado Trail

The Cerro Colorado trail climbs out of the Batopilas Canyon from a trailhead north of Batopilas town, reached on foot directly from the plaza or arranged with a local Tarahumara guide familiar with the route-finding required higher up. The 10-kilometre round trip gains about 500 metres from the canyon floor, following a mix of old mule track and narrower footpath that switchbacks up exposed rock faces with little shade for most of the ascent. Surface conditions range from packed dirt near the bottom to looser rock and scree higher up, and the trail is not consistently marked, which is the main reason a local guide is recommended. Landmarks include the last riverside houses on the edge of Batopilas town, a series of switchbacks partway up known locally for canyon views back down to the river, and the Cerro Colorado summit area itself, which offers a wide panorama over the Batopilas Canyon and is the trail's endpoint. There are no shelters or reliable water sources along the climb, so all water is carried from town. Because the trail gains significant elevation over exposed rock in a canyon that is hot for much of the year, the climb is best done starting early, before the sun reaches the exposed switchbacks. November to March offers the coolest conditions for the ascent, while summer heat on the exposed rock can make the climb considerably more strenuous.