Ouzoud Waterfalls

Ouzoud is the classic waterfall day out from Marrakech, and on a hot day there are few better places in the region. In the province of Azilal, northeast of Marrakech in the foothills of the Middle Atlas, the El Abid River's tributary pours over the lip of a red sandstone gorge and falls in a series of tiers, around a hundred meters in total, into pools fringed with greenery. The name comes from the Amazigh word for olives, and the approach path winds down through olive groves past old water mills, cafes and stalls. Visit Morocco, the national tourism office, describes the falls as easy to reach and well suited to families. Below the falls, small boatmen ferry visitors across the pool close to the spray, and in summer people swim in the lower pools. Barbary macaques live in the trees along the gorge and come close to the paths; they are wild and endangered, so watch but do not feed them. You can walk down one side of the gorge and up the other in a loop of an hour or two, with steps and some steep sections, then have a tagine at a terrace overlooking the falls. Entry to the site is free, but you pay for boats, guides, parking and food. The drive from Marrakech takes about three hours each way, so most people join an organized day trip or hire a driver; the falls are busiest on weekends and in summer, when Moroccan families come to cool off. Water flow varies with the season and rainfall, at its strongest in spring.

Planning the day: leave early to arrive before the tour groups and the midday heat, and plan three to four hours at the falls. Organized trips from Marrakech usually include a local guide for the walk; you can also explore independently, as the paths are well trodden. Wear shoes with grip, because the paths near the water are slippery, and bring swimwear in summer.

The monkeys: Barbary macaques are an endangered species. Feeding them harms their health and makes them aggressive, even though vendors sell peanuts for the purpose. Keep food in bags, watch your belongings and keep a respectful distance.

Is it worth the drive? For waterfall lovers and families on a longer stay, yes; it is a very different landscape from the desert and the High Atlas. If you only have three or four days in Marrakech, the closer Ourika Valley or Imlil may be a better use of a day. Some travelers combine Ouzoud with an overnight stay at a guesthouse near the falls, which allows a quiet early-morning visit. That also lets you see the gorge at sunset, when the day-trippers have gone and the macaques settle into the trees. On the drive, organized tours often stop at a viewpoint or village along the way; in return, expect a long day in the vehicle, so sit near the front if you suffer from motion sickness, and carry water and snacks for the road. A small amount of cash covers parking, the boat ride and a tip for any local guide, and terrace lunches near the top of the falls are simple and fairly priced, though prices rise near the best viewpoints.