At around 110 metres high, the Ouzoud waterfalls are the tallest in Morocco and one of the most beautiful natural sights within reach of Marrakech. The waters of the Ouzoud river plunge in several tiers into a deep green pool surrounded by olive trees, fig trees and Barbary macaques. The trip takes a full day, but it offers a real change of scenery, especially in the warmer months. Here is everything you need to know to plan it.

The Ouzoud waterfalls at a glance

  • Location: in the province of Azilal, north-east of Marrakech, where the Middle and High Atlas meet.
  • Distance: about 150 km, or 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours by private car.
  • Trip duration: around 10 hours from pick-up to drop-off.
  • Difficulty: easy to moderate, with steps and sloping paths.
  • Best period: March to June, when the flow is strongest and the vegetation greenest.

The drive from Marrakech

The road leaves Marrakech to the north-east and crosses wide farming plains, then hills planted with olive trees. The landscape becomes increasingly hilly as you approach the village of Tanaghmeilt, which overlooks the falls. Your driver plans a coffee stop halfway and adapts to your photo stops. Leaving around 8 am lets you arrive before most groups and enjoy the site in peace.

Visiting the site, step by step

The viewpoint at the top

Arriving from above, you first discover the falls from viewpoints built over the drop. The roar of the water and the rainbows that form in the spray in late morning are spectacular. This is also where you can see the old grain mills along the irrigation channels.

The walk down to the pool

A path with steps, lined with small cafés and stalls, leads down to the foot of the falls in 20 to 30 minutes. A local guide from the village can accompany you: he knows the best viewpoints and the history of the place. The climb back requires a little more effort, especially in hot weather.

The boat ride

At the foot of the falls, colourful boats take visitors close to the curtains of water. A short, refreshing experience that children love. Remember to protect your phone from the spray.

The Barbary macaques

Barbary macaques live freely in the olive trees around the site. They are used to visitors but remain wild animals: watch them without feeding them, keep your bags closed and do not let children get too close.

Lunch and the afternoon

Several restaurants on the banks serve tagines, river fish and salads, with tables set right by the water. After lunch you can walk back up along the other bank, which offers a different perspective on the falls, then set off around 3:30 pm to be back in Marrakech in the early evening.

Which season for Ouzoud?

  • Spring: maximum flow, lush nature, pleasant temperatures. The best period.
  • Summer: very busy and hot, but the site stays cooler thanks to the water; leave early.
  • Autumn: quieter, with soft light; the flow can be lower after a dry summer.
  • Winter: possible and uncrowded, but cooler; on some days mist hides the top of the falls.

Good habits

  • Wear closed shoes: the steps can be slippery near the water.
  • Bring water, a hat and sunscreen for the climb back.
  • Carry cash for the boat, the local guide and lunch.
  • Only swim where the villagers say it is safe: the current can be strong at the foot of the falls.

What about spending the night there?

Most visitors do the return trip in one day, but spending a night at Ouzoud transforms the experience. Several guesthouses and small hotels are just a few minutes’ walk from the falls. In the evening, once the groups have left, the site becomes peaceful again: only the roar of the water breaks the silence. The next day, you can walk down to the pool at sunrise, before the first visitors arrive, and enjoy the soft morning light on the falls. In that case we simply provide the transfer to and from Marrakech, at the times that suit you.

Ouzoud with children

It is one of families’ favourite trips: children love the monkeys, the boat and the spectacle of the falls. With young children, limit the walk to the viewpoint and the main path down, and take breaks at the cafés along the way. As the drive is fairly long, a private vehicle with child seats on request makes the day much more comfortable.

Book your trip

Our private Ouzoud waterfalls day trip includes pick-up at your hotel or near your riad, an air-conditioned vehicle with driver and a local guide on site. You decide the pace, the time of lunch and when to head back. To learn more about the site itself, see the Ouzoud waterfalls page.

Ouzoud combines well with quieter days in Marrakech or with an Atlas outing such as the Ourika Valley. To plan your whole stay, our guide to the best day trips from Marrakech will help you balance driving time and discoveries.