Ourika Valley

Day trip From Marrakech to Ourika Valley

You’ve heard that a trip to Marrakech isn’t complete without an out-of-town excursion. But you don’t fancy camel riding for several hours or a 3-day Sahara Trek.

Located in the Atlas Mountains less than an hour outside of the city, Ourika Valley is the ideal escape from the Marrakech heat. Refreshingly cooler in the mountains and a contrast to the city landscape Ourika Valley is also very popular with locals

Where is Ourika Valley?

Approximately 40km from Marrakech, Ourika Valley is located Southeast of the city in the High Atlas Mountains and along the Ourika River. The area is populated by Berber people speaking Shilha.

How to get from Marrakech to Ourika Valley

The most popular way of getting to Ourika Valley is by a guided tour. You could opt for a bus that leaves from the Bab Er Rob, the southern city gate in the medina of Marrakech.

But the most recommended method is to hire a guide and car to take you directly. There are guided tours that can be booked directly on get your guide app and they will collect and drop to your hotel.

Alternatively depending on your hotel, you could ask concierge, many hotels have arrangements with local companies. We stayed at the Mandarin Oriental and opted to book a driver and car for the day via the hotel. This allowed to us to tailor the trip to our needs. We left a little later in the day and stopped for lunch an entirely different location.

What to do in Ourika Valley

The Drive

The drive through the valley itself is incredibly scenic, passing villages along the roadside, overlooking cliff edge drops, and then gazing upwards as you find yourself at the bottom of a valley.

Try and opt for a seat on the left-hand side of the vehicle for the best views. The road snakes alongside the river and every few moments provides an opportunity to take a photo.

There are various stalls selling hand made goods along the road. Ceramics and serving plates decorated in patterns authentic to the area.

Argan Oil

The argan nut is native to Morocco and you can visit a workshop run exclusively by a woman’s co-operative. They don’t cultivate the nut here, but you can watch how they take the argan nut and produce a multitude of cosmetic products.

The oil extracted from this nut has incredible benefits particularly in hair products. You also can purchase some of the products they make from the on-site shop.

Berber family

Approximately 5000 years ago during an Arab invasion, Berbers took refuge high up in the Atlas Mountains. Most Berbers are now Muslim, but they still retain their own language and customs.

If arranged with your guide, you can stop at a traditional home of a Berber family and tour their home. The family offers tea, and serves you a local breakfast of bread, butter, and olive oil.

However, it can feel a little staged and has become a regular stop for guides.

Setti Fatma

Setti Fatma is a small town located in a canyon at the southern end of the valley and is the departure point for many excursions to the nearby mountains. The river at the village is lined with restaurants and surrounded by small market stalls. It’s the ideal place to stop for lunch.

Seven Waterfalls

Cascades de Setti Fatma are a series of seven waterfalls that can be reached from the village of Setti Fatma. The terrain isn’t easy to navigate, its uneven and slippery, so you must take care.

The path starts with a seemingly makeshift bridge to cross the river, the bridge lacks railings so cross carefully. While initially the path is clear, the further you hike the narrower and steeper it becomes with a continuous climb.

Despite this the Berber locals have still managed to set up cafes, souvenir shops and fruit stalls along the path, nestled into the cliffs.

As you continue past each waterfall, you will find areas to stop and take in the view. The further you go, the steeper the path becomes.

You come across stream crossings, again accessible by makeshift bridges, some with railings, some without. The path becomes a dirt path and you have to be careful as it is extremely slippery.

The decent is not any easier so keep that in mind as you scramble over the rocks, you need to navigate them back down. The terrain is difficult to navigate and other than guides I struggled to find anyone that had seen all the cascades.

Discuss with your guide before hand, if you want to experience some of the mountain, or even only view one of the waterfalls, your guide can shorten the length of your trek to accommodate that.

Also, once you’re on the trail, don’t be afraid to be vocal if you can’t continue any further. If others in your group want to continue and you don’t, you can easily sit and wait for them to return.

Saffron Garden

Just outside of Ourika valley, closer to Ourika. You can visit Paradis du Safran. Independently owned, by a lady called Christine. You can tour the gardens, learn about saffron cultivation, tour the orchards of olive trees, oranges, lemons, pomegranates and learn more about medicinal herbs.

There is also the opportunity to lunch. Do note that some flowers may not be in bloom at certain times of the year. Saffron in particular blooms in November. The fee is 100 dirhams and includes the tour, beverages on arrival and a barefoot sensory walk.

If you choose to hike in the valley, then you won’t have time to visit the gardens. However, if you choose simply to walk around the village, then you will have time.

The gardens are considered a good addition to a visit if you are passing through the area, but not recommended to leave the city to come and solely visit. Visit the website for opening times as they can vary. Currently they are closed on Monday and Tuesday.

When to go

The valley is particularly exceptional from February through to April when almond and cherry orchards bloom, but even if you miss this season there is plenty of greenery to offer an alternative experience to the city and the valley is enjoyed throughout the summer and early autumn.

Visiting in July on a Saturday I got a sense of how enjoyed this area is by locals. The edges of the Ourika River were lined with families lunching at eateries, bathing under the trees, and splashing in the river to cool off from the scorching heat.

In the middle of August the village of Setti Fatma celebrates a festival moussem. Usually, it lasts 4 days and is held in honour of a holy man, whose shrine koubba is by the river. While non-Muslims aren’t allowed into the koubba, the village turns into a carnival type festival and tourists are encouraged to visit.

Where to eat

While it’s difficult to name to exact location of an eatery, note that there are plenty of restaurants and cafes to choose from in the valley. Some are located inside guesthouses and many on the riverside, they serve BBQ and Moroccan salads.

Kasbah Bab Ourika

If you choose not to hike at the cascades, then I suggest stopping for lunch at the resort Kasbah Bab Ourika. On the route back to the city, it won’t be out of your way and it’s only a short distance from Setti Fatma village. While the drive to the hotel will have you questioning your choice, once you reach the hotel, the unbroken views across Ourika Valley will leave you speechless.

Lunch on the terrace allows you to soak in the tranquil atmosphere and views of the olive groves. The menu is simple and regularly changes as the majority of food is sourced locally or comes from the resort’s own kitchen garden.

The hotel boasts a shabby chic and unpretentious vibe, this can be experienced while passing through the main courtyard, wandering through the gardens, or passing by the pool.

I would suggest making a booking beforehand as the resort is incredibly remote. If they are aware of your arrival, you can discuss timings and it can avoid disappointment. 

Things to note

The trek to the waterfalls should not be undertaken if you are physically impaired, have heart issues or a pregnant. The trek is also not suitable for children under 6 years of age.

You must wear suitable footwear. Good grip is important because of the uneven terrain.

Despite the difficulty of the hike, it’s very popular, so the area can get busy. With many people opting to hike only a short distance to be able to experience the mountains. The valley is very close to Marrakesh, so it’s easy to get to for a day trip, this has increased its popularity.

There can be pressure from guides or stall owners to buy things. If you are genuinely on a strict budget, politely refuse. If you can then, indulge them in a purchase of something. Like many tourist areas, this is how they make their daily wage.

Further afield

Local Markets

If you enjoy wandering through markets selling crafts and fresh produce, note the days that markets are on in the towns local to Ourika Valley. Some places you will pass on the way there and some won’t require much of a detour.

Lake Lalla Takerkoust

The artificial Lake Lalla Takerkoust was created by the French after a dam was built between 1925 and 1935 to provide Marrakech with electricity. Located southwest of the city, its approximately a 40 min journey and 40km.

The lake has opportunities to swim, pedal boats, kayaks, windsurfing and jet skis. Away from the lake, you can hire quad bikes to tour the area. However, during the dry months, the water level can drop, so it’s best to check with a guide first.

Oukaimeden

Oukaimeden is a mountain village 50 minutes, 35km south of Ourika Valley. Fewer tourists and locals than Ourika Valley but still an ideal destination for a day trip. During the winter months the snow-capped mountains make it an ideal place to ski. Oukaimeden Ski Base boasts the highest ski lift in Africa at 3268m. There aren’t too many options for accommodation in the area, so ensure that you have reliable transport.

Mountain Retreats

While a visit to Ourika Valley can easily be done as a day trip, adding an overnight stay can elevate the entire experience. There are a number of Mountain Retreats in the area that can be reached from Marrakech without having to travel too far. From the intimate cottage feel of Kasbah Bab Ourika to the grandiose of the Richard Branson owned Kasbah Tamadot.