In this Magical Town sheltered by the Sierra Tarahumara you will discover huge rock formations, forests, waterfalls and ancient Rrámuri traditions.
In the heart of the Sierra Tarahumara, Creel is the gateway to countless natural beauties, among forests, rocks, caves, the spectacular Copper Canyon, lakes, waterfalls and rivers, in addition to its missions and the traditions of the culture rarámuri. It is also the crossing of the Chihuahua train to the Pacific.
It is located 247 kilometers southeast of the city of Chihuahua, on the upper parts of the Sierra Madre Occidental, known as Sierra Tarahumara. In 1907, when the train station was inaugurated, it was given its current name, in honor of the famous local governor Enrique Creel. Over the decades, this town gained importance for its lumber industry and as a communications hub in the mountains. Travelers gradually discovered the many natural attractions that surround it, which is why today it is an essential point of the "big state".
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Creel is located in the watershed of the Sierra Tarahumara. The streams that are born a few kilometers to the east are part of the Conchos river basin, a tributary of the Rio Grande. Those to the south and west, such as the San Ignacio stream, already feed the rivers of the Copper Canyon, which flow into the Pacific.
Typical
The most traditional craft of the Rrámuri is the basketry, especially wares, baskets woven with insoles. But in recent times, they have explored with great mastery in carved wood products, decorative objects and furniture; clay objects and woolen articles. You can find these pieces in the Museum or House of Crafts, installed in the old railway station. Advised by Italian schools, the Rrámuri also began to make violins of extraordinary quality. You can buy more artisan objects in San Ignacio Arareko.
Main Square
The most remarkable thing about this pleasant logging town is in the Plaza de Armas and its immediate surroundings. In the middle of the tree-lined esplanade there is a simple kiosk and a monument to Enrique Creel.
Their churches
In the northeast corner of the plaza stands the Church of Christ the King Neo-gothic style and next to it, the Temple of Our Lady of Lourdes, both very austere buildings from the 20th century. On the west side of the square, the House and Museum of Handicrafts, dedicated to the Rrámuri, should not be missed.
Towards the west of the town, there is a natural viewpoint on top of a hill, where there is a Monument to Christ the King, an eight meter high image of Jesus Christ with open arms, which is already an emblematic figure of Creel.
The rocks and the Valley of the Monks
In the wooded surroundings there are several rocks that are ideal for climbing, connected to each other by paths for walking or mountain biking. An example is the Bisabírachi Valley - a few kilometers after San Ignacio Arareko - also known as the Valley of the Monks (also called "Valley of the Gods"), with stone bridges and several caves. Others are the Valley of Los Hongos and the Valley of Las Ranas.
Saint Ignatius Arareko
It is located eight kilometers from Creel. It is a Rrámuri community surrounded by forests and geological formations; the town conserves a simple temple, built at the beginning of the 20th century.
Rukíraso waterfalls
This place is 20 kilometers to the south. The waterfalls fall to a height of 30 meters in the Barranca de Tararecua, visible from the viewpoints, with paths for biking.
Recowata hot springs
This site is located 15 kilometers to the south, it reveals that igneous activity is not a thing of the past.
Cusárare
This town, 20 kilometers from Creel, has a 17th century mission and a waterfall that is worth visiting in the rainy season.
Divisadero
50 kilometers away, either by road or by the Chepe Railroad, is this unbeatable tourist point of observation of the Copper Canyon of Urique, next to the Adventure Park, where there is a cable car, hotel and trails to visit incredible places in the upper edges of rocky walls.
He also knows the towns located in the geological complex of Barrancas del Cobre, such as Batopilas, Guachochi and Basaseachi. Although somewhat remote, visiting them represents one of the most emotional experiences in Mexico.
The town of Creel was originally called Rochivo by the Rrámuri.
