Ourika Valley, Morocco

Berber villages, river-bank lunches and seven waterfalls — the easiest mountain day trip from Marrakech.

Plan a Ourika Valley trip See all tours

Best time

March–June and September–November (snow upstream in winter)

Recommended

Day trip from Marrakech

Airport

Marrakech Menara (RAK) + 1h

Region

High Atlas · Near Marrakech

Why Ourika Valley

The Ourika valley is Marrakech's go-to mountain day trip — just an hour south, and the gentlest way to swap the city heat for the High Atlas. It is a green river valley lined with Berber villages, terraced gardens and riverside restaurants where the tables sit right in the running water. At its head, the village of Setti Fatma is the trailhead for the seven-waterfalls walk, and on Mondays the Tnine Ourika souk brings the valley to life. None of it needs an early start or a long drive, which is why it is the first excursion most Marrakech visitors take.

What to see

Highlights of Ourika Valley.

Setti Fatma waterfalls

A scrambly walk above the village to a series of seven cascades — the first is an easy 30 minutes.

Riverside lunch

Tables set in the shallows of the Ourika river for tagine and grilled meats with your feet in the water.

Berber villages & gardens

Terraced saffron and herb gardens, a traditional Berber house visit and an argan-oil or pottery co-op.

Monday souk

The weekly market at Tnine Ourika, a working Berber souk far from the tourist circuit.

Itineraries

2 tours that visit Ourika Valley.

Every itinerary below is privately operated, fully customisable, and includes a deep stop in Ourika Valley. Click any tour for the day-by-day plan, the map, dates and pricing.

1 daysBestseller

Mountains

Ourika Valley & Atlas Day Trip

The classic Marrakech day trip: an hour south into the Berber valleys for a village walk, a saffron cooperative, riverside tagine lunch and an optional waterfall hike — back in the city by evening.

from $45view →

1 days

Mountains

Three Valleys & Atlas Day Trip

A full-day loop through three High Atlas valleys — Ourika, Oukaïmeden and Asni — with Berber villages, a short camel or mule walk, a cooperative stop and a mountain tagine lunch.

from $55view →

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Before you go

Practical notes.

Getting there: About 1h by road south of Marrakech into the High Atlas
Best for: An easy mountain day, light walking, families, food

Concierge

Have your Ourika Valley 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 proposal

FAQ

Ourika Valley — common questions.

Is the Ourika Valley worth visiting?+

Yes — it's the easiest and greenest Atlas day trip from Marrakech: Berber villages, a waterfall walk and a riverside lunch, all within an hour of the city. Perfect when you want mountains without a long drive.

Can you swim in the Ourika river?+

You can paddle and cool off in the shallows, and the riverside restaurants set their tables right in the water. The waterfalls upstream have small pools, though the current can be strong after rain or snowmelt.

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