High Atlas · Azilal Province, Morocco
Tiered waterfalls plunging into a red sandstone gorge, with raft rides at their foot, olive groves above and wild Barbary macaques along the paths.
Compare toursThe Ouzoud Falls are a group of waterfalls near the village of Ouzoud, about 150 km northeast of Marrakech, where a mountain stream drops over a series of cliffs into the gorge of the El-Abid River.
There is no ticket and no gate. Visitors start at the top of the falls, walk down a path lined with cafés and shops to the pools at the bottom, and climb back up on the other side. Most come on a day trip from Marrakech.
Terraces near the entrance look down the whole drop. Near the main fall the path runs close to the cliff edge, so keep back.
Steps and a paved path wind down past cafés and stalls to the pools, a walk of 10 to 20 minutes.
Boatmen pole flat rafts from the first pool towards the main fall, a ride of under 10 minutes. Expect spray.
Wild monkeys live in the trees above the falls and wait at the viewpoints. They grab food and bottles, so keep both out of sight.
The pools below the falls are busy in summer. Quieter water lies downstream, past Camping Le Havre de Paix.
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November): the best seasons for a visit, with a strong flow and mild days for the walk.
Summer: the busiest season, often above 30 °C, and the only time the water is warm enough for most swimmers.
Winter: more water and far fewer people, but too cold to swim, and the paths are harder going on rainy days.
Time of day: tour groups arrive together around midday. Come early, or stay overnight in the village to see the falls at dawn before the buses.
Every tour below is a full day from Marrakech: about 3 hours each way by minibus and 3 to 4 hours at the falls. Where lunch is not included in the tour, you can eat at a café by the falls: a set lunch costs about €10–13, paid in cash.
Prices are per person for two adults, for each tour's cheapest option; they change with the date.
Most booked The most popular Ouzoud trip, in three versions: transport and free time only, with a mountain guide and the raft ride, or with lunch added too.
from €15
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Private for up to 6 Four versions, from a seat on the minibus with free time to a private car and guide for your own group. Time for a swim is part of the day.
from €13
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Raft ride included About four hours at the falls, with the raft ride already in the basic group price rather than an add-on.
from €15
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Pick your extras Every version comes with a local guide at the falls; you choose whether to add the raft ride, and lunch at a local restaurant on top.
from €13
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Shortest day A shorter day than the rest: a guided walk on olive-lined paths down to the falls, with the macaques on the way and the raft ride as an option.
from €12
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All-inclusive Every option includes the guided walk, the raft ride and lunch at a local restaurant, with a coffee stop at Tamelalt each way.
from €22
See the tourThe falls are about 150 km from Marrakech, 2.5 to 3 hours by road. There is no direct bus: without a car or tour, you change grand taxis in Azilal.
How to get thereNo, the falls and the paths are free. Drivers pay the car park attendant 10–20 MAD for the day. Bring cash: many cafés and stalls do not take cards.
About MAD 20 per person, paid to the boatmen at the first pool below the falls. Many guided tours include it.
No, there is one main path down and it is hard to get lost. Official guides at the entrance charge about 30 MAD per person in a group. Ignore anyone offering to guide you away from the entrance.
The loop down to the pools and back up the other side takes 45 minutes to an hour at an easy pace. With a raft ride, lunch and a swim, tours give you 3 to 4 hours.
Please don't, even though locals sell food for them. A study of the Ouzoud macaques found that a fifth of their feeding time went on food from people, which changes how they behave.