Creel  

Creel is the main center for hiking in the Copper Canyon area. There are two excellent hikes you can make from the town and a number that are only a short drive away. The proximity of these hikes to Creel makes bicycle rentals a good choice. Several places rent mountain bikes; Tres Amigos Expeditions is especially recommended because of their knowledge of the area plus a positive attitude toward independent travelers. They also rent pickup trucks suited to the roads. As always though it pays to compare costs.

Of the hikes listed here Cusárare is the most popular.

San Ignacio Trail Data   Length of loop = 9 km. Exertion index = 215. Maximum elevation = 2402 m.

This loop hike starts at the south end of Creel and takes you around to the small austere mission church at San Ignacio through some odd-shaped boulders into a humble farming area and finally over a rocky hill back to Creel. To start go south down the main street Ave. López Mateos past the Villa Mexicana hotel/campground. Where the paved road bends toward the highway follow the dirt road straight to go past the cemetery. At the top of the hill past the cemetery there may or may not be a small toll about 20 pesos.