The Ouzoud Waterfalls, about 150-170 km northeast of Marrakech and roughly a 2.5-3 hour drive one way, drop around 110 meters in tiered cascades through olive groves — the tallest waterfalls in Morocco and one of the most rewarding full-day trips from the city.
The road runs northeast from Marrakech through the Middle Atlas foothills, passing olive groves and small Berber villages before reaching the village of Tanaghmeilt, where the falls are located. Because the round-trip drive alone takes 5-6 hours, most visitors treat this as a full-day excursion rather than a half-day stop.
Ouzoud means "the act of grinding" in the local Tamazight dialect, a reference to the old olive mills once powered by the river above the falls. The water drops in several tiers down red rock cliffs into a pool at the base, throwing up a fine mist that catches rainbows on sunny mornings. A network of paths lets you view the falls from multiple angles, from the clifftop overlooks down to the river level at the bottom.
One of Ouzoud's best-known features is the resident troop of wild Barbary macaques living in the olive trees around the falls — one of the few places in Morocco where you can reliably see these monkeys in the wild at close range. They're accustomed to visitors but are still wild animals, so keep a respectful distance and avoid feeding them.
The path down to the base is a moderate, well-trodden trail with some uneven natural steps; sturdy shoes help, but most fitness levels can manage it without difficulty. At the bottom, small rowboats ferry visitors a short distance toward the base of the falls for a closer, wetter view — a fun add-on rather than a necessity, and worth the small fee if you're comfortable getting a little splashed.
Riverside cafés near the top of the falls serve tagine and mint tea with a direct view over the cascade, a pleasant spot for lunch before the drive back. If you're deciding between Morocco's two most popular waterfall day trips, our Ourika Valley day trip guide covers the closer, gentler alternative south of Marrakech. Families traveling with children often ask which day trips work best at different ages — see our thoughts in the context of a broader Morocco with kids family guide. For general background on the region, see Wikipedia's entry on Ouzoud Falls.
Spring brings the strongest water flow after winter rains and snowmelt, making the falls at their most dramatic, while late summer sees reduced flow but still worthwhile scenery and warmer swimming conditions at the base pools.
Want the drive, guided walk to the base, and a boat ride arranged as part of a fixed day trip? See our Ouzoud Waterfalls Day Trip for the full itinerary.
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