Ouzoud Excursions
In short
The Ouzoud Waterfalls are 110 m high, falling in three tiers from limestone cliffs into the gorge of the Oued El Abid, near the village of Ouzoud in Azilal Province, Béni Mellal-Khénifra region, in the central High Atlas of Morocco, at about 1,060 m. They are about 150 to 160 km from Marrakech, roughly three hours by road, and count among the highest waterfalls in the country. Entry is free. A paved path lined with terrace cafés leads down to the foot of the falls in about 20 minutes, with paths on both banks, small boats in the pool and a troop of Barbary macaques, an endangered species that visitors are asked not to feed. Plan 3 to 4 hours on site. The falls flow all year; spring usually brings the strongest flow and summer the most visitors. Ouzoud is also a geosite of the M'Goun UNESCO Global Geopark.
- 110 m high, in three tiers, in Azilal Province
- About 3 hours by road from Marrakech
- Free entry, about 20 minutes' walk down to the foot of the falls
- Wild Barbary macaques: watch them, do not feed them
- Spring usually brings the strongest flow
The Ouzoud Waterfalls (Cascades d'Ouzoud) are a 110 m waterfall in three tiers in Azilal Province, in the central High Atlas, about 150 to 160 km and roughly 3 hours by road from Marrakech. Entry is free. A paved path takes you down to the foot of the falls in about 20 minutes, you can cross by boat close to the spray, and a troop of wild Barbary macaques lives on the site. Most visitors come on a full day trip from Marrakech and spend 3 to 4 hours there.
Planning the trip? See our two companion guides: how far Ouzoud is from each city, with real driving times from 24 places, and Ouzoud or the Ourika Valley, our side-by-side comparison of the two classic waterfall days from Marrakech.
More planning help: is Ouzoud worth it?, what a trip to Ouzoud really costs and the weather month by month.
Staying or exploring further? See where to stay at Ouzoud, our private transfer to your accommodation, the Barbary macaques and the map of the falls.
Planning with family, without a tour or comparing day trips? Read Ouzoud with kids and older travellers, how to get to Ouzoud without a tour and day trips from Marrakech compared.
Key facts at a glance
| Location | Near the village of Ouzoud, Azilal Province, Béni Mellal-Khénifra region, central High Atlas |
| Height | 110 m in three tiers, among the highest falls in Morocco |
| Altitude | About 1,060 m |
| Distance and drive time | About 150 to 160 km from Marrakech, roughly 3 hours each way |
| Entry fee | Free |
| Best time | Spring for the strongest flow; mornings and weekdays for quieter paths |
| Time needed | A full day from Marrakech, with 3 to 4 hours on site |
Where are the Ouzoud Waterfalls?
The falls lie in the commune of Aït Taguella, near the village of Ouzoud, in the province of Azilal. The water comes from the Oued Ouzoud, also called the Oued Tissakht, which is fed by a karst spring a few kilometres upstream. It pours over cliffs of Jurassic limestone into the gorge of the Oued El Abid, the river that further east fills the Bin El Ouidane reservoir.
The site is one of the geosites of the M'Goun UNESCO Global Geopark, designated in 2015. That is a geopark status, recognising the geology of the region, and not a World Heritage listing. Ouzoud is also classified in Morocco as a Site of Biological and Ecological Interest (SIBE).
How do you get to Ouzoud from Marrakech?
There are four realistic ways to reach Ouzoud from Marrakech.
With a private driver. A vehicle and driver for your group only, picked up at your hotel or near your riad, with free time at the falls and the return in the afternoon. This is what our private transport to Ouzoud offers. The driver knows the road and waits for you, but he is a driver, not a guide.
On a private tour. The same private vehicle, plus a local guide who walks with you at the falls. This is our private Ouzoud tour, and the premium private day adds the boat ride and lunch by the falls, all organised in advance.
By bus and grand taxi. It is possible to take a bus from Marrakech to Azilal and then a shared grand taxi for the last stretch to Ouzoud (Azilal is about 36 to 38 km away by road). Departures change and are not always frequent, so check times locally, leave early and keep a margin for the return. It is the slowest and least predictable way, and hard to fit into a single day from Marrakech.
Self-drive. Leave Marrakech on the N8 towards Fès, then turn east onto regional roads around Tamelelt and continue through the Tanant area before heading north to Ouzoud. On OpenStreetMap these roads currently show as the R201 and the R304, but road numbers may differ on other maps and on some signs, where you may still see older numbers. The last part is a winding country road: drive in daylight and allow about 3 hours each way.
How much time do you need at Ouzoud?
From Marrakech, Ouzoud is a full day. A typical private day looks like this (exact times are confirmed after booking):
- Pickup in Marrakech around 8:00.
- About 3 hours' drive, with a short stop on the way.
- Around 3 to 4 hours at the falls: the walk down, the boat, lunch, the other bank.
- Back in Marrakech in the early evening.
Less than 3 hours on site feels rushed, mainly because of the climb back up. If you want to add a detour such as Bin El Ouidane, count on a longer day.
How long is the walk down to the falls?
From the top of the falls, a paved path lined with small stalls and terrace cafés goes down to the foot of the falls in about 20 minutes. On the way you get several viewpoints over the three tiers, with the water dropping through green vegetation and, on sunny mornings, the occasional rainbow in the spray.
There are paths on both banks. A full loop, down one side, across the river and up the other, is roughly 3.5 km and takes about an hour of walking without stops. The paths have steps, slopes and some uneven sections, and they can be wet and slippery close to the spray. Going down is easy; the return climb is steady and takes longer than the descent, especially in the midday heat. Take it slowly, stop for a drink on a terrace, and wear shoes with good grip. Pushchairs are hard to use on these paths.
Can you take a boat at Ouzoud?
At the foot of the falls, local boatmen run small boats and rafts that take you across the pool and close to the falling water. It is short, a little wet and a good way to feel the size of the falls. If you come on your own, the price is agreed on the spot with the boatmen. On our trips, the boat ride is an option at €5 per person, booked with your trip, and it is included in our premium private day. Whether the boats run, and how close they go, depends on the water level and conditions on the day. Our boat ride and lunch page explains how we organise it.
What should you know about the Ouzoud monkeys?
A free-living troop of Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus) lives around the falls. The species is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List; since 2016 it has also been on Appendix I of CITES, the highest level of protection in international trade. The monkeys at Ouzoud are used to people, which is why you will often see them close to the paths and terraces.
That closeness comes at a cost. A peer-reviewed study by El Alami and Chait (2016) followed the Ouzoud macaques, which are regularly fed by visitors. The group grew from about 25 to 40 animals between 2003 and 2007, aggression increased, and the group then split in two; the researchers link these changes to the food handed out by tourists. In the forests around Ifrane, further north, a study published in PLOS ONE (Maréchal and colleagues, 2016) found that macaques fed by tourists showed higher stress levels and poorer health.
We have not found an official rule against feeding them at Ouzoud, but the science is clear enough for us to ask every guest the same thing:
- Do not feed the macaques, even with fruit or nuts.
- Keep a few metres away and never try to touch or hold one.
- Keep food and drinks out of sight in a closed bag.
- Do not stare, crowd them or block their way, and keep children close.
- Take photos from a distance and let them come and go on their own.
Mills and olive groves
The valley around the falls is planted with olive trees, and small traditional mills sit along the water channels at the top of the falls, some of them still working. The name Ouzoud is traditionally said to mean "the act of grinding grain" in Tamazight, which fits the mills, although the origin is not firmly documented. A local guide can show you the mills and explain how the water is shared between the channels, the fields and the falls.
When is the best time to visit Ouzoud?
Water flows at Ouzoud all year, because the river is fed by a spring. The volume changes with the seasons, though there is no published flow data, so take this as what visitors and local guides report:
- Spring: usually the strongest flow and the greenest valley. A good time for photos and walking.
- Summer: hot and busy, especially at weekends, and the swimming season. The flow is often lower in late summer, partly because water is taken for irrigation.
- Autumn: quieter paths and milder days.
- Winter: cooler and calm, with fewer visitors. Mornings can be chilly, so bring a warm layer.
After heavy rain the falls can turn red-brown as the river carries earth from the hills. It is a striking sight, but paths are muddier and swimming is not a good idea. If a storm or a closed road makes the trip unsafe, we offer a new date or a full refund of the deposit, as set out in our booking terms.
What should you wear and bring?
| Bring | Why |
|---|---|
| Walking shoes or sandals with grip | Steps and wet stone near the spray |
| Hat, sunglasses, sun cream | Little shade on parts of the path |
| Water | The climb back up is warm work |
| Light jacket or warm layer | Spray by the boat, cool mornings in winter |
| Swimwear and a small towel | If you plan to swim in summer |
| Cash in dirhams, small notes | Boat, drinks, lunch, tips; do not rely on card payment on site |
| A bag that closes | Keeps food away from the macaques |
Where can you eat at Ouzoud?
Terrace restaurants line the paths on both banks, many with a view of the falls. They mostly serve Berber and Moroccan cooking, tajines first of all, with salads and mint tea. Prices are set by each restaurant, so it is worth asking before you order. If you prefer lunch planned in advance, it is included in our premium private day and can be added to the other trips for €30 per person.
Can you swim at Ouzoud?
People do swim at Ouzoud, mostly in summer, in the pools at the foot of the falls and downstream. There is no official swimming area that we know of, so you swim at your own risk. Check the depth before jumping, stay clear of the strong water directly under the falls, keep children within reach and do not swim after heavy rain. Respect local customs when changing and walking around in swimwear away from the water.
Private tour, transport only or going alone: which is best?
| Private tour | Private transport | On your own | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Getting there | Private vehicle from your hotel or riad | Private vehicle from your hotel or riad | Bus and grand taxi, or a rental car |
| At the falls | A local guide walks with you | Free time; the driver waits | You find your own way |
| Flexibility | High: your pace, your stops | High on the road, independent on site | Depends on bus times or your own driving |
| Planning effort | Low: we organise it | Low | High |
| How it is priced | €220 per vehicle (1 to 7 people), €330 (8 to 17) | €180 per vehicle (1 to 7 people), €250 (8 to 17) | Per seat, or rental and fuel |
| Best for | First visits, families, people who want context | Independent travellers who know what they want | Travellers with several days and time to spare |
Both private formats leave from your door and run on your timetable. If you want someone to explain the falls, the mills and the macaques, the private tour makes sense. If you like exploring alone and only need a reliable ride, private transport is enough. Our prices page has the full price list, with options and examples.
What else is there to see near Ouzoud?
The region around Ouzoud has other geosites of the M'Goun Geopark. Each one adds driving time, so we offer them only as longer detours on request:
- Bin El Ouidane: a large reservoir behind a dam built in 1953 on the Oued El Abid, set between the mountains.
- Imi n'Ifri: a natural limestone arch carved by the Tissilt river, near the town of Demnate.
- Iouaridène dinosaur tracks: footprints left by sauropods and theropods in the Upper Jurassic.
Tell us on WhatsApp before booking what you would like to combine, and we will tell you whether it fits in one day.
Sources
- Ouzoud Falls, Wikipedia (English)
- Cascades d'Ouzoud, Wikipédia (French)
- Ouzoud Falls, Wikidata Q38212
- M'Goun UNESCO Global Geopark, geosites
- M'Goun UNESCO Global Geopark, UNESCO
- Cascades d'Ouzoud, Lonely Planet
- El Alami and Chait (2016), Barbary macaques at Ouzoud, Revue de primatologie
- Maréchal et al. (2016), tourist feeding and macaque health, PLOS ONE
Frequently asked questions
How far are the Ouzoud Waterfalls from Marrakech?
The Ouzoud Waterfalls are about 150 to 160 km north-east of Marrakech, which takes roughly 3 hours by road each way. The route follows the N8 towards Fès, then regional roads through the countryside of Azilal Province. Most people visit on a full day trip: leave around 8:00, spend 3 to 4 hours at the falls and get back to Marrakech in the early evening.
Is there an entrance fee for the Ouzoud Waterfalls?
No. There is no ticket for the falls themselves, and you can walk the paths on both banks freely. You will spend money on other things: the optional boat ride at the foot of the falls, drinks and meals on the terraces, and a local guide if you want one. On our trips, the boat ride is an option at €5 per person, included in the premium day. Bring cash in dirhams, in small notes.
How long do you need at Ouzoud?
Plan 3 to 4 hours on site. That gives time to walk down to the foot of the falls (about 20 minutes), take the boat, cross to the other bank, have lunch on a terrace and climb back up without rushing. With the drive, a visit from Marrakech fills the whole day, roughly 8:00 to early evening.
Can you swim at the Ouzoud Waterfalls?
In summer many people swim in the pools at the foot of the falls and further downstream. There is no official swimming area that we know of, so swim at your own risk: check the depth, stay away from the strong water right under the falls, keep children within reach and avoid swimming after heavy rain, when the water turns brown and the current is stronger.
Is it safe to feed the monkeys at Ouzoud?
Please do not feed them. The Barbary macaques at Ouzoud are a wild, Endangered species. Research at Ouzoud links food from visitors to more competition and aggression in the troop and to the group splitting, and a study in Ifrane linked tourist feeding to higher stress and poorer health. Keep a few metres away, keep food out of sight and let them come and go on their own.
When is the best time to visit Ouzoud?
Spring is usually the most rewarding: the flow tends to be strongest and the valley is green. Summer is hot and busy, especially at weekends, but it is the swimming season. Autumn and winter are quieter and cooler. Whatever the season, arriving in the morning or visiting on a weekday helps you avoid the busiest hours on the paths.
Is Ouzoud suitable for children and older travellers?
Yes, with some planning. The main path is paved, but there are steps and slopes on the way down and a steady climb back up, so pushchairs are hard to use. Older travellers can take it slowly and stop at the terrace cafés. On a private trip you set the pace, and a local guide can suggest the easiest route.
Do I need a guide at the Ouzoud Waterfalls?
You can visit without one, as the paths are easy to follow. A local guide helps you find the main viewpoints, the crossing to the other bank and the mills, explains the area and keeps the group moving at your pace. Our private Ouzoud tour includes a local guide at the falls; with private transport only, the driver waits while you explore.
Can I combine Ouzoud with Bin El Ouidane or other sites?
Yes, as a longer day. The Bin El Ouidane reservoir, the natural arch of Imi n'Ifri near Demnate and the dinosaur tracks of Iouaridène are all in the same region, but each one adds driving time. Tell us on WhatsApp what you would like to see before you book, and we will tell you honestly what fits in one day.
Ouzoud or the Ourika Valley: which is better from Marrakech?
They are different days. The Ourika Valley is closer, about 1 to 1.5 hours away, with small waterfalls reached by a rocky scramble and riverside cafés. Ouzoud is about three hours away but the falls are far bigger, 110 m high, with an easy paved path, boats and macaques. If you have one full day and want the most impressive waterfall, choose Ouzoud; for a shorter or half day, Ourika is easier.
Are the Ouzoud Waterfalls in the Atlas Mountains?
Yes. The falls are in the central High Atlas, in Azilal Province (Béni Mellal-Khénifra region), at about 1,060 m. They are not in Marrakech itself and not in the Ourika Valley: the road from Marrakech is about 150 to 160 km, roughly three hours, heading north-east. The site is also one of the geosites of the M'Goun UNESCO Global Geopark.
How high are the Ouzoud Waterfalls?
The falls are 110 m high in total, falling in three tiers from limestone cliffs into the gorge of the Oued El Abid. Sources disagree on the height of the longest single drop, so we prefer the total figure. The width of the falls is given as about 90 m. The water comes from the Oued Ouzoud, also called Oued Tissakht, fed by a spring a few kilometres upstream.
Is Ouzoud worth visiting in winter?
Yes. Winter days are cooler and the paths are quieter than in summer, and the falls keep flowing all year because they are fed by a spring. Mornings can be cold at about 1,060 m, so bring a warm layer. After heavy rain the water can turn red-brown and paths can be muddy; if a storm makes the trip unsafe, we offer a new date or a full refund of the deposit.
How do you pronounce Ouzoud?
Say it 'oo-ZOOD', with the stress on the second syllable; the French spelling 'ou' is simply the sound 'oo'. The name is traditionally said to mean the grinding of grain in Tamazight, a reference to the small mills along the water, although we have not found a solid source for that meaning.
What is there to do at Ouzoud?
Take in the falls from the viewpoints at the top, walk down the paved path to the foot of the falls, cross to the other bank, take a short boat ride in the spray, have lunch on a terrace facing the water and watch the Barbary macaques from a distance. In summer many people also swim in the pools downstream. Three to four hours on site is enough for all of this at a relaxed pace.
