Madera, Chihuahua, Mexico

The word Madera means "lumber".  Madera is located in the high sierra among peaceful lakes, deep canyons and river rapids where the locals fish for rainbow trout.

Madera possesses a basic tourist infrastructure and is the closest town to several archaeological sites.  It is reached from the nearby cities of Nuevo Casas Grandes, Cuauhtemoc and Chihuahua by local bus.

By car, Madera is located to the south of Nuevo Casas Grandes and to the northwest of Chihuahua.  There are two main routes from Ciudad Juarez.  The longer but more interesting route follows Highway 2 westward to Janos then south to Nuevo Casas Grandes and Buenaventura.  Take Route 28 to Gomez Farias and about 11 Km out of town, watch the signs for the turnoff to Madera.  The distance from Ciudad Juarez to Madera by this route is about 540 Km (336 miles).  The other is to take the toll road to Chihuahua.  Exit at El Sueco and travel to Buenaventura where Route 28 leads to Gomez Farias and Madera.  This route from Ciudad Juarez to Madera is approximately 490 Km (305 miles).
(Map 1, Map 2, Map 3)