Ruta Tepehuana is a windy and narrow road with incredible views

Ruta Tepehuana (Camino a Huzamota) is a challenging road located in Durango, Mexico. It's windy, narrow, and potentially hazardous, yet it offers incredible views of the Sierra Madre mountains and canyon views ranging from 2,700 meters above sea level to the canyon's bottom at 500-0 meters. On either side of the road, spectacular views extend over 2 km high.

The road was inaugurated in 2014 and became a fully operational paved road by 2016. Along its length, it showcases five different biomes: the painted desert, cactus desert, pine forest, oak forest, and tropical jungle. Spanning 288 km, this steep road connects Durango, the capital and largest city of the Mexican state of Durango, with the area near Jesus María, a municipality in the north of the Mexican state of Nayarit.

In the road's first section, there's a scenic mountain pass and canyon pass. The route starts at 1,430 meters above sea level (masl) in a long valley in Mezquital, Durango, rises to 2,490 masl, and offers breathtaking views of the Mezquital valley, mountains, and canyons. The road then descends to the Temoaya town and canyon at 1,300 masl, and further drops to 1,090 masl at the Mezquital river. After crossing the river, the road climbs again to 2,540 masl, presenting stunning views of the Mezquital canyon. Spectacular views are available on both sides of the road, showcasing the Mezquital and Temoaya canyons. The landscape includes pine forests, cactus deserts, and oak forests.

The subsequent segment descends to Huazamota. Starting from Llano Grande at 2,300 masl, it moves through a scenic pine forest stretch reaching up to 2,700 masl. Owned by the indigenous Tepehuan people, the road begins its descent near the Mesa de las Milpas community, dropping from 2,600 masl to 600 masl in San Antonio de Padua over less than 35 kilometers. This descent, with a height change of over 2,000 meters, is one of the most scenic drives in Mexico, passing through various biomes including pine and oak forests, tropical forests (jungle), and some cactus-laden canyon areas.

After San Juan Peyotan, there's a T junction where Mexico 23 meets Mexico 44. In either direction, the road offers breathtaking views of the Sierra Madre Mountains, either towards Camino a Canoas or Mesa del Nayar. 

Is Ruta Tepehuana dangerous?

• The road is secluded; you might see only one or two vehicles per hour over the entire route, which can take up to 10 hours to drive from Durango to Ruiz. However, many pedestrians, mainly indigenous people, can be spotted.
• The area is known for drug trafficking/plantation and has a high risk of kidnappings or extortions.
• The route features sharp turns and challenging curves. Speeds rarely exceed 40 mph, and are often closer to 30 mph.
• Some areas lack signals and road paint, complicating night driving.
• Potholes are common, with the worst ones near mountain cuts.
• Falling rocks are a hazard, and some road sections built on mountain cliffs are at risk of collapsing.
• Pedestrians sometimes walk in the middle of the road without apparent reason.
• Some areas lack guardrails beside canyons.
• Driving at night is not recommended due to sharp turns and frequent fog.
• The route has steep and extended downhill sections; brakes can easily overheat. Engine braking is essential; otherwise, brakes may fail. In two segments, the elevation changes by a combined total of 4,000 meters.
• Cellphone coverage is sparse throughout most of the route.

Road suggested by: Eblem Torres