Tour – The Tunnels
Venture into the Tunnels of Mexiquillo!
Discover the fascinating Tunnels of Mexiquillo on our main tour.
These impressive tunnels, also known as the ’embankment’, were enabled through the forest to accommodate the tracks of the Durango-Mazatlán railroad during the Porfiriato era, strategically built on the steep parts of the terrain. In total, Mexiquillo has nine main tunnels, each with a width of 5 meters and a height of 6 meters, allowing the fluid passage of the railroad that was never completed. The lengths of the tunnels vary from 100 meters to 1.68 kilometers, and they are built as authentic barrel vaults. As you venture inside, you will immerse yourself in a captivating experience where visibility is reduced, so we recommend bringing a flashlight for safe exploration.
On this tour, you will have the opportunity to walk along the embankment and pass through the tunnels, exploring their impressive architecture and enjoying the view of the beautiful surrounding forest.
Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the Tunnels of Mexiquillo and immerse yourself in their historical mystery! Venture with us and let yourself be carried away by this unique experience that will transport you back in time.
Details
Activities
Hiking
Distance
–
Includes
NOM-TUR09 Certified Guide
Suggestions
Comfortable clothing and footwear
Duration
1 to 2 hours
Difficulty
Easy to moderate
Location
The Tunnels of Mexiquillo
Not Included
Food and Drinks. Tips during the tour
Ask about van tours at an extra cost, minimum group of 8 people.
Discover hidden mysteries
A historical legacy that captivates: Discover the story behind the impressive tunnels
Discover the fascinating connection between Mexican cinema and railway development in Durango. One of the most prominent examples is the movie “El Túnel Seis”, filmed in 1955. This film portrays the construction of the Durango-Mazatlán Railroad and its impact on the region. Despite initial beliefs that the project was unfeasible due to the complexity of the terrain, the Compañía Constructora El Águila restarted the works in 1948.
Parallel to the construction of the railroad, the Mexican government undertook the construction of the Durango-Mazatlán highway in 1952. As the work progressed, progress on the construction of the track was reported, highlighting the advance of 62.56 kilometers in clearing, grubbing, and earthwork excavations. In addition, the completion of works on the Agua Fría bridge and tunnels 2, 7, 8, and 16 was mentioned. Intense work on tunnels 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 17 was also noted.
The movie “El Túnel Seis”, directed by Chano Urueta and produced by Estudios Tepeyac, was filmed in 1955 in several locations in Durango, including Mexiquillo, La Ciudad, Paso Real, and Tunnel 6. The plot revolves around a group of workers under the command of an engineer from the Secretariat of Communications and Public Works (SCOP) who are working on the opening of a railway tunnel to connect the parts of the sierra facing the sea and the interior, that is, the Durango Mazatlán railroad.
Although fictional, the movie depicts an accident caused by an explosion of stolen dynamite, resulting in the death of several workers and the situation of others trapped in the tunnel. The film recounts the drama of the workers, who die one by one, until finally only the youngest remains, who manages to survive by drinking the blood of one of his companions. Finally, the young man is rescued alive and the movie ends. “El Túnel Seis” premiered in Durango in 1956, and a year later the railroad work was permanently suspended. Although there was actually no accident in the 1,600-meter tunnel, most Duranguenses associate that fictional accident with the suspension of the work.
Discover more about this fascinating history by staying at Hostal Mexiquillo, where you can immerse yourself in the charm of the region and explore the mysteries of the Tunnels of Mexiquillo.
Stay with us and be part of this unique history in Durango!