Marrakech to Ouzoud Falls: 1-Day Waterfall Hike, Boat Ride & Berber Lunch
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
8–9 hours
Fitness Level
Moderate fitness—able to manage uneven paths, steps and a hilly 2-hour guided walk.
Overview
Escape Marrakech for a full-day loop to Ouzoud Falls: an 8–9 hour trip of limestone ledges, olive groves, and plunging waterfalls. Hike the trails, take a short boat ride toward the base, and cap the day with a traditional Berber lunch.
Marrakech to Ouzoud Falls: 1-Day Waterfall Hike, Boat Ride & Berber Lunch
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The day begins before the medina wakes. A minibus hums away from Marrakech at first light, the city’s ochre walls shrinking into a patchwork of farmland and scrub. By midmorning the air tastes greener—olive and tilled earth—and a distant roar grows until the canyon opens and the Cascades d’Ouzoud reveal themselves: water cleaving the cliff in white sheets, plunging roughly 110 meters into a bowl of rock and forest.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Wear grippy shoes
Trails are rocky and can be slippery from mist; closed-toe hiking shoes with good tread are essential.
Bring at least 1.5L water
Carry water and refill when you stop—shops exist near the falls but carry enough for the hike.
Mind the monkeys
Do not feed or tease Barbary macaques; keep food secured and follow your guide’s instructions.
Carry cash
Small restaurants, boat rides and tips are cash-friendly; ATMs are limited in the village.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Barbary macaque
- Kingfisher and herons along slower river stretches
History
Ouzoud’s watermills and terraced fields reflect a rural Berber economy that has shaped land use here for centuries, using the river’s power to grind grain and press olives.
Conservation
Stay on marked paths, avoid feeding wildlife and use local guides to support community-led tourism that limits erosion and protects native vegetation.
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Adventure Hotspots in Marrakech
Recommended Gear
Sturdy hiking shoes
Grip and ankle support make the rocky, sometimes wet trails far safer.
Reusable water bottle (1.5L+)
Keeps you hydrated on the trail; refill options available near the falls.
Sun protection (hat, SPF, sunglasses)
Exposed sections on the approach get hot; UV protection is important.
summer specific
Light rain shell or windbreaker
Mist from the falls and changing mountain weather can cool you quickly.
spring specific