What makes Ouzoud special
Ouzoud is not a single waterfall but a staircase of cascades dropping more than 100 metres into a green gorge, the tallest in Morocco. The setting is lush and shaded, with olive groves, rainbows in the spray and troops of wild Barbary macaques in the trees. You can walk down a path to the base, take a small boat close to the falling water and eat at a cafe perched on the cliff. It feels a world away from the dry plains around Marrakech.
The distance is the catch
The one thing to know before you commit is that Ouzoud is far. It sits about 150 km north east of Marrakech, a three hour drive each way. That makes it a full day out, with around six hours of driving bookending your time at the falls. It is well worth it, but go in knowing it is a long day rather than a quick morning trip.
Best way to visit: an organised tour
Because of the distance, the easiest and best value option is an organised day tour. A small group Ouzoud waterfall tour with a boat ride from $15 covers the long transport each way, a guide at the falls and the boat trip at the base, all for a remarkably low price. With thousands of reviews it is the reliable choice and removes any worry about navigating or parking.
For a more active day: the guided hike
If you want to stretch your legs, the Ouzoud waterfalls guided hike and boat trip from $16 adds a proper walk down through the gorge to the foot of the falls and back. It is the better pick if you are reasonably fit and want more than the viewpoints, since the walk gets you up close to the spray and the pools.
Ouzoud or Ourika
Travelers often weigh Ouzoud against the Ourika Valley, the other big waterfall day trip. Ourika is much closer, around an hour and a half away, with smaller cascades inside a green mountain valley. Ouzoud is further but far more dramatic. If you have time for only one and want the spectacular single waterfall, choose Ouzoud. If you want easy mountains and Berber villages with less driving, choose Ourika, covered in our Ourika and Atlas guide.
Tips for the day
Bring water, sun protection and shoes with grip for the path down, which can be slippery near the spray. Keep a tight hold on phones and snacks around the monkeys. Start early to beat both the heat and the crowds, especially in summer, and see our Marrakech in summer guide for more hot weather planning. Ouzoud sits alongside the city, the Atlas and the desert as one of the best day trips from Marrakech.
Ready for the falls?
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Frequently asked questions
The Ouzoud waterfalls are about 150 km north east of Marrakech, which is roughly a three hour drive each way. That distance makes it a full day trip rather than a half day, with most of the daylight spent at the falls and on the road.
For most visitors a tour is easier and barely more expensive. Organised day tours from around $15 include the three hour transport each way and a guide, which removes the hassle of the long drive and parking. Independent visits by grand taxi or bus are possible but take longer and cost more in time than the small saving is worth.
Yes. Wild Barbary macaques live in the trees around the falls and are a highlight of the visit. They are used to people but are still wild animals, so keep your distance, do not feed them and watch your belongings, since they are quick to grab loose items.
