The cascade descent path
A switchbacking trail past olive groves and water mills down to the foot of the 110m falls — walk to the base or take a small boat into the spray and rainbows.
Middle Atlas · Central Morocco
Ouzoud Falls, Morocco
A 110-metre Middle Atlas gorge walk — the country's highest cascades, a wooded canyon trail and wild Barbary macaques on the path down.
Best time
March–June and September–October
Recommended
Day walk from Marrakech
Airport
Marrakech Menara (RAK) + 2h30
Region
Middle Atlas · Central Morocco
Why Ouzoud Falls
While the High Atlas trails draw most of our walkers, the Cascades d'Ouzoud offer the gentler, greener walking of the Middle Atlas: three hours north-east of Marrakech, a 110-metre triple waterfall drops into a wooded canyon laced with trails. The walk is the point — a shaded path switchbacks down past olive groves and old water mills (ouzoud means 'olives' in Berber) to the foot of the falls, then a riverside trail continues into the El Abid gorge with cafés and swimming pools along the way. Troops of wild Barbary macaques work the oak and olive woods beside the path, and the afternoon spray throws rainbows across the basin. It is an easy day of canyon walking to bracket a harder week on the high passes.
What to see
Highlights of Ouzoud Falls.
Barbary macaques on the trail
Wild, habituated monkeys live in the olive and oak woods beside the path — keep your distance and your snacks zipped away as you walk.
El Abid gorge walk
Below the falls a gentle riverside trail continues into a green canyon with shaded cafés and swimming pools — the quieter, wilder half of the day's walking.
Itineraries
Our Ouzoud Falls tours.
Every itinerary below is privately operated, fully customisable, and includes a deep stop in Ouzoud Falls. Click any tour for the day-by-day plan, the map, dates and pricing.
1 day
Ouzoud gorge walk — a Middle Atlas day
A private walking day from Marrakech to the country's highest cascades and the El Abid canyon trail, with lunch over the falls — gentle Middle Atlas ground to bracket a high-mountain trek.
from $160Enquire →
Before you go
Practical notes.
- Getting there: About 2h30 by road from Marrakech, north-east toward Beni Mellal
- Best for: An easy canyon walk, the Barbary macaques, a gentle day between high-mountain treks
Concierge
Have your Ouzoud Falls trip designed by a local
Tell us your dates, group size and pace. We'll send back a written proposal within 24 hours — private guides, transfers, riads, the lot.
Request a proposalFAQ
Ouzoud Falls — common questions.
Is Ouzoud a good gentle walk to pair with a High Atlas trek?+
Yes — it is the easiest canyon-walking day near Marrakech and a good contrast to the high passes: a switchbacking trail down to the falls, the wooded El Abid gorge below, and wild monkeys along the way. Go early to walk the path before the afternoon crowds arrive.
How long is the drive to Ouzoud from Marrakech?+
About 2.5 hours each way. A private day gives you several hours walking the cascade path and the gorge trail, with a lunch overlooking the falls, before returning by evening.
Closest destinations
Pair Ouzoud Falls with.
These destinations are closest to Ouzoud Falls — easily combined on a private itinerary.
46 kmHigh Atlas · M'Goun massif
Aït Bougmez Valley
The 'Happy Valley' at the heart of the central High Atlas — terraced Berber villages at 1,800 m and the trailhead for the M'Goun traverse (4,068 m).
Explore50 kmMiddle Atlas foothills · Béni Mellal-Khénifra
Béni Mellal
Foothill base of the central Middle Atlas at 465 m — the Ain Asserdoun springs, the turquoise Bin el-Ouidane gorges and the cedar highlands above.
Explore
107 kmPre-Sahara · Drâa-Tafilalet
Skoura
Where High Atlas snowmelt feeds the desert — a palm oasis of earthen kasbahs below the southern slopes, on the kasbah road east of Ouarzazate.
ExploreRead more
From the journal.
Stories, guides and practical notes to help you plan a richer trip to Ouzoud Falls.
Journal