Ouzoud Waterfalls Day Trip from Marrakech: Cascades, Monkeys & Tagine
Difficulty
easy
Duration
8–9 hours
Fitness Level
Light-to-moderate walking fitness; able to manage stairs and uneven paths for a few hours.
Overview
A full-day escape from Marrakech to the Cascades d’Ouzoud: 110 meters of stepped falls, curious Barbary macaques, a boat ride on the pool below and riverside tagine. Practical tips for timing, footwear and respecting wildlife.
Ouzoud Waterfalls Day Trip from Marrakech: Cascades, Monkeys & Tagine
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The first glimpse arrives between olive trees: a distant white ribbon of water that, as the minibus drops through scrubby hills, becomes a thunderous, frothy curtain. At the viewpoint the spray finds your face before the full fall does. The Cascades d’Ouzoud—over 110 meters of stepped drops—announce themselves not as a single plunge but as a chain of smaller falls, terraces and plunge pools threaded with stone paths and shaded cafés.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Wear grippy shoes
Trails include stone steps and slick rock near the falls—sturdy hiking shoes with good tread reduce slips.
Bring at least 2 liters of water
The sun and stairs add up; refill options exist at cafés but carry a bottle for the hike portion.
Don’t feed the monkeys
Barbary macaques can bite and become aggressive when fed—observe from a distance and secure loose items.
Time your visit early
Arrive mid-morning or on weekdays to avoid peak crowds and get clearer photography and calmer boat rides.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Barbary macaque (local monkeys)
- River kingfisher and other riverine birds
History
Ouzoud’s name refers to the olive groves that dominate the valley; the area has long been a seasonal grazing and olive-producing landscape for local mountain communities.
Conservation
Tourism pressure and feeding of macaques are ongoing issues—visit with guides who enforce no-feeding rules and favor local businesses that support trail maintenance.
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Adventure Hotspots in Marrakech
Recommended Gear
Hiking shoes
Provide traction on stone steps and wet rocks near the falls.
Reusable water bottle (2L+)
Keeps you hydrated on the drive and during the walk—refill at cafés.
summer specific
Sun hat & sunscreen
Protects against intense sun during the open sections of trail and at viewpoints.
summer specific
Light rain or wind layer
Useful if spray from the falls or a changeable mountain microclimate cools the afternoon.
spring specific