Ourika valley
The easiest nature outing from Marrakech, and the busiest: an hour of road, shade, water and an hour's walk to the Setti Fatma waterfalls. You can go on your own by grand taxi for a handful of pounds, or on an organised outing for the transfer, a guide and often a stop at the Anima garden. Two reservations before setting out: the valley saturates at weekends and public holidays, and a man will offer to 'walk you' to the waterfalls from the car park - it is not compulsory. Aim for a weekday and a well-rated outing with transfer included if you do not drive.
The Ourika valley opens some thirty kilometres south of Marrakech, where the plain hits the first foothill of the High Atlas. The road follows the Ourika wadi, climbs gently between the orchards and the pisé villages, and stops at Setti Fatma, some sixty kilometres from town. It is the closest green outing from Marrakech: water, shade, real cool air in summer, and a short walk to a series of waterfalls. It is also, for the same reasons, the busiest.
On your own or on a tour?
What to expect
About half a day. Times are indicative.
Departure from Marrakech
Hotel pick-up (tour) or grand taxi from Bab er-Robb. One hour of road off-peak.
Anima garden or cooperative
A common stop on Ourika road tours: the André Heller garden takes an hour to visit.
Setti Fatma, climb to the waterfalls
Village car park, footbridges over the wadi, then a good half-hour walk on wet rocks up to the first waterfall.
Lunch by the water
Terrace in the torrent bed: tagine, skewers. Check the price before ordering.
Back to Marrakech
Quiet drive down, back in town mid-afternoon.
What you see there
The Setti Fatma waterfalls
Seven waterfalls, but the first concentrates the crowd and stays the most accessible. The six others are earned by a steeper trail, with a local guide. High water in spring, the whole thing has real presence. In late summer, the flow weakens and the show leans more bathing than falling water.
The valley and its villages
Berber balcony villages, terraced crops, tables nearly in the water: the valley is worth the trip as much as the waterfalls.
The Anima garden
The garden planted by the artist André Heller, below the road, often included in tours. It takes an hour to visit.
Good to know
Book your day trip
We do not sell the tickets: booking goes through GetYourGuide. The price is the same as direct, a small commission comes back to this guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I go to the Ourika valley without a tour?
Are the Setti Fatma waterfalls worth it in summer?
Do I need a guide to walk up to the waterfalls?
Is the Ourika valley dangerous because of flash floods?
How long should I plan for the outing?
Photo credits
- La cascade de Setti Fatma, dans la vallée de l'Ourika - © Hanspeter Limacher · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · source
- Le jardin de cactus - © Kurt-Michael Westermann · avec l'aimable autorisation d'Anima Garden · source
- Une sculpture-tête dans le jardin - © Stefan Liewehr · avec l'aimable autorisation d'Anima Garden · source