Trail Rides and Hikes in the Copper Canyon from Rancho del Oso, Cherocahui, Chihuahua (mid level riders through experts)
Rancho del Oso offers high-quality, challenging horse packing and trekking trips deep into the Canyons.

Riding and packing stock is selected and trained to provide the safest possible experience in backcountry riding and transport of camping gear and supplies. Western saddles are used for riders and both Decker and sawbuck packsaddles are used with hard sided PVC and soft-sided nylon panniers for transporting gear.

Backcountry trips are accompanied by a horse wrangler and a bilingual guide. The guide interprets both human and natural history. More importantly, he is known and respected by mountain mestizos and by shy Tarahumara Indians who frequently welcome him (and you) into their homes. Your guide's knowledge and experience ensures your safety and enjoyment on the trail.

Vehicle-accessible campground and several backcountry campgrounds offer secure camping with year-round water while minimizing environmental impact.

The following may be taken as either rides or hikes:

The Cave Parade (3-4 hours, ALL/MID)
Visit the Cave of the Crosses then cross a high mesa to visit three remote archaeological site caves: the Hidden Cave, Cave of the Skull, and Cave of the Petroglyph. Hidden Cave is in a small valley and was walled in such a manner that it could be spotted only by someone who knew where it was

Deer have nibbled on its entrance rocks to get needed minerals, several grooves may have been used for sharpening, and the cave contains skeletal remains. Cave of the skull is best known for a skull discovered by a research expedition in 1991. The skull remains in situ, a bat colony takes refuge in this cave and a chimney near the back leads up to the mesa top. Cave of the Petroglyph features a stone carving in the form of a teardrop, its purpose remains unknown although we believe it was utilitarian. The cave also has potsherds and toe-steps carved into the rock. These steps lead to an upper level living area.

Following your visit to the caves, you may either return to the Oso by an easy trail over the Mesa (3 hours, ride suitable for first-time riders through experts); or you may return by a more difficult trail climbing out of the valley then following the ridgeline in front of Hotel Paraiso del Oso, stopping for views of the backside of the Oso and looking down on the hotel. (3-4 hours ride suitable for a mid-level rider who knows how to control a horse)

Cerocahui Trails (3 hours, EXP)
Follow trails of the Tarahumaras as you climb Arroyo of the Ranchito through a heavily pine and oak forested valley stopping briefly at Cave of the Skull and Cave of the Petroglyph before gaining the Original Cerocahui trail across the high Cerocahui Pass with a view of the pueblo as you descend to the town plaza for a cool soda and a snack. Return along tree-shaded trails of the Cerocahui Arroyo. (EXP), 3 hours; may be combined with a waterfall trip adding about an extra hour or two.

Cerro Gallegos (5 hours each way, MID)
Ride to Cerro Gallegos and return by horse or vehicle. The ride leaves the hotel passing through El Cajon then crosses over a mountainous divide to the Arroyo de la Mina following this arroyo upstream to the Tarahumara pueblo of Porochi for a lunch break and a chance to visit the rustic church and school. Leaving Porochi, continue the climb past Cave of the Parida and past many small Tarahumara farms. Suddenly you break out onto the rim for a dramatic view of the Urique Canyon. Although not a difficult trip, it is rated MID because of the long hours in the saddle with no chance of a bailout.

Guide service is recommended and is available for USD 3 per hour for a Spanish-speaking guide and USD 5 per hour for a bilingual guide.
ALL: ride suitable for first-time riders through experts
MID: ride suitable for a mid-level rider who knows how to control a horse and has some experience
EXP: ride suitable for experienced riders only