Day trip
The Ouzoud falls
The highest falls in the country, in a green canyon northeast of Marrakech. Water, shade, and a genuine change of climate.
Photo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY 4.0
Why go
Because it is the opposite of Marrakech. After three days of dry, hot medina, Ouzoud is a damp canyon planted with olive trees, and you walk down into it on a shaded path.
The falls drop in several tiers. The canyon floor is the best viewpoint, and it is also the coolest place to stand.
What to know
You walk down and back up on an uneven path. Closed shoes change the entire day.
Barbary macaques live on the site. Do not feed them. It is bad for them and bad for you, and it makes the animals aggressive towards the next visitors.
When to go
Spring, when the flow is strong after the rains and the canyon is green. By late summer the flow drops noticeably.
Leave early. The drive from Marrakech takes a good part of the morning, and the site fills up by midday.
Common questions
Do the Ouzoud falls work as a day trip?
Yes. It is one of the most workable full day trips from Marrakech, as long as you start early in the morning.
Can you swim there?
There are pools at the foot of the falls and small boats. Flow and safety vary by season, so go by what you are told on the day.
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