The Ouzoud waterfalls are the highest and most spectacular in North Africa. Three waterfalls of 110 metres plunge into a lush gorge inhabited by Barbary macaques, creating an unexpected tropical atmosphere in the heart of the Atlas mountains. Just 150 km from Marrakech, they constitute one of Morocco's most popular excursions.
The three waterfalls and the El Abid gorge
The Ouzoud waterfalls ('the act of crushing olives' in Berber) form on the Oued El Abid which plunges in three successive falls totalling 110 metres in height. The basin at the foot of the falls, coloured turquoise by dissolved minerals, invites swimming in cool, crystal-clear water. Permanent rainbows form in the spray when the sun illuminates the waterfalls.
The paths around the waterfalls provide access to different viewpoints: the panorama from the upper plateau offers a plunging view of the three falls and the lush gorge; the path at the bottom of the gorge, bordered by mastic trees and wild pomegranates, leads to a natural beach ideal for swimming. Several traditional olive mills line the river downstream — witnesses to the ancestral activity that gave the site its name.
The macaque monkeys and the fauna of the gorges
The Ouzoud gorges are home to a colony of Barbary macaques that live semi-wild around the waterfalls. These macaques, attracted by visitors, regularly descend from the cliffs to beg for food — behaviour which, unfortunately, makes them dependent on humans and disturbs their natural diet. It is recommended to observe them without feeding them.
Beyond the monkeys, the gorges are home to many species of birds: metallic-coloured kingfishers, grey herons, white storks and several species of raptors that nest in the cliffs. Amphibians and freshwater turtles populate the river banks. This rich biodiversity makes the Ouzoud gorges an ecotourism site appreciated by naturalists.
Organising your visit to the Ouzoud waterfalls
The Ouzoud waterfalls are 150 km from Marrakech (2h30 drive) and 300 km from Fès. From Marrakech, they constitute the most popular day excursion after Essaouira. Tour Come Morocco organises private excursions by 4x4 or minibus from Marrakech, allowing you to enjoy the waterfalls without the constraints of public transport.
The best season to visit is spring (March-May) when the waterfalls are in full flow thanks to winter rains and the vegetation is bright green. In summer, the flow decreases but swimming is more pleasant. Allow 3 to 4 hours on site to enjoy swimming, hiking in the gorges and meals in the restaurants overlooking the waterfalls.
The Berber villages and hikes around the waterfalls
Around the Ouzoud waterfalls, several Berber villages invite half-day hikes. Local guides offer 2 to 5-hour trails going up the El Abid gorges, crossing isolated villages built into cliff faces and emerging onto viewpoints with vertiginous panoramas. These hikes allow you to discover rural life in the western High Atlas, far from tourist circuits.
The Ouzoud region is part of the western High Atlas, an area of exceptional biodiversity with more than 300 plant species. In spring, the sides of the gorges are covered with asphodels, laburnums and wild oleanders creating an extraordinary natural garden. Botanists and wildlife enthusiasts will find in the surroundings of Ouzoud an incomparable exploration ground, particularly rich in cliff-nesting birds and endemic reptiles.
Staying on site: guesthouses and inns at the foot of the falls
Many travellers make the mistake of visiting Ouzoud as a single-day excursion from Marrakech, missing the most magical experience: the site at sunrise and sunset. Several Berber guesthouses and inns have been built on terraces directly overlooking the falls, offering incredible views from the rooms and rooftop terraces. Sleeping to the sound of the waterfalls in the cool Middle Atlas night is an unforgettable experience.
The village of Ouzoud, with its terrace cafés clinging to the cliffs above the natural pools, is itself a spectacle. At night, the working oil mills illuminate the riverbank with golden lights. Staying two nights also allows for the 3 km morning hike to the gorges of the oued El Abid downstream — a wilder canyon with practically no tourists where groups of Barbary macaques live.
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