Many people associate North Africa’s Morocco with deserts, beaches, and bustling souks. While these are certainly highlighting, the country is also home to some splendid waterfalls, which many people find surprising in a dry and hot land.
Magnificent waterfalls flow through the mountains, and a handful is tucked away in rather unexpected locations. Some of Morocco’s magical waterfalls have pools suitable for swimming, providing the perfect way to cool down after long hikes on hot days, while others are scenic beauties to be admired from a distance.
A trip to a waterfall can relax your mind and sharpen your senses. They are also some of the best places to travel to in Morocco for people who love nature photography and to discover new secret gems.
If you’re a waterfall lover or want to see more of Morocco’s natural features, read on to discover some of the best waterfalls in Morocco for you to visit.
Does Morocco have waterfalls?
Yes. There are several waterfalls to visit in Morocco and the cascade of Oum Rabia is one of the spectacular ones. There is a small rest stop on the Imouzzer Ida Outanane, 56 km from Agadir. This is where the adventure to Paradise Valley begins. Mountains, forests, and rivers surround this beautiful place.
Best Time To visit Waterfalls Of Morocco
Have you ever been frustrated about getting to a waterfall only to find out there’s no water flowing? Or traveling thousands of miles to a skyscraping waterfall only to have the views blocked by low-hanging clouds? Or the waterfalls are pumping, but you failed to reach them because the trail or road was in bad shape, thanks to the weather.
While waterfalls can provide a deeply fulfilling and satisfying joy for those who seek them, they can also frustrate waterfall-chasers in a way that few other natural attractions can.
So when is a good time to see waterfalls?
The best time to visit is during the mid-late afternoon in spring or summer, as the water is fully under the sun and catches rainbows in the gorge. The cascades at Ouzoud can be visited all year round. However, if you catch them after rain, they may be brown from the clay.
Waterfalls that rely more on rain tend to be less predictable and unreliable because the water would immediately move from the higher to lower elevations until the drainage is depleted of enough water to see waterfalls.
Summer is when the water flow diminishes as precipitation is less abundant or non-existent. Thus, waterfalls lose their vigor the deeper into the season you get.
Autumn is typically the time of year when many waterfalls have exhausted their freshwater supply and go dry unless you get early winter storms momentarily bringing them momentarily back to life.
Sometimes, waterfalls get new life from tropical thunderstorms that would make their way north along the east coast, which opens up the possibility of seeing waterfalls with Fall colors!
And while Winter is the time of storms and a lot of precipitation, the experience of visiting waterfalls might be more dangerous or less fun given the inclement weather and hazards that come with it.
For snow-fed waterfalls such as Oum Rabia Waterfalls, sometimes winter cold can keep the water solid, constricting a waterfall’s flow.
There are a few different ways to reach the waterfalls by public transportation (taxi or bus). Walking is not advisable because these waterfalls are pretty far from the city.
For instance, to reach Ouzoud waterfalls, you can take a taxi from Marrakesh to Azilal and then another to Ouzoud, or you can take a taxi or a bus very early to the city of Beni-Mellal and then take a shared taxi to the waterfalls from there.
Top 10 Best Waterfalls in Morocco (Explained)
Waterfalls in Morocco are some of the most breathtaking in the world. Their scenery inspires photographs, dips in the water, and intense hikes to catch a glimpse. Located close to many major tourist areas, include some of the best waterfalls in Morocco during your next vacation.
1. Ouzoud waterfalls
Perhaps the best-known waterfalls in Morocco, Ouzoud Falls, are also often said to be the most stunning waterfall in North Africa.
Located in the province of Azilal in the Middle Atlas Mountains, you can easily visit on a day trip from Marrakech if your vacation time is short. Standing at the top of the reddish-brown craggy rocks, the plunging cascades are marvelous.
The highest fall is around 100 meters high when stretching around the wide cliffs. Gaze down at the river below, and you’ll see small boats bobbing on the water, and shimmering rainbows can often be seen in the spray.
A hike to the bottom of the falls takes around an hour, passing through orchards and groves with plenty of olive trees, pomegranate trees, and mosses. Animals that live around the waterfalls include wild cats, reptiles, and birds.
The Ouzoud Falls can be visited the whole year around. It’s much busier during summer; however, that’s the best time of the year to go if you want to swim in the pools at the bottom of the falls. There is much more water during the winter and usually fewer visitors.
There are a few different ways to reach the Ouzoud waterfalls by public transportation; you can either take a shared taxi from Marrakesh to Azilal and then another one to Ouzoud, or you can take a shared taxi or a bus very early to the city of Beni-Mellal and then take a shared taxi to the waterfalls from there.
2. Akchour Waterfalls
Akchour waterfall is one of Morocco’s truly hidden gems. The trek goes along the river with numerous small cascades through the vigorous green fairytale forest.
Surrounded by the majestic Rif Mountains, you walk past rocks and tree stumps wrapped in green moss, changing into a thick, unrestrained jungle covering the surroundings. All you can hear are the birds singing and the water running in small cascades along the bottom of the valley.
Hiking is one of the activities at Akchour waterfall, though it is not directly demanding, the trek has some steep parts. The trail is 5,5 kilometers each way and takes about 3-4 hours depending on how many stops you make.
Akchour is a 45 minutes drive from Chefchaouen. Driving, there is a small parking fee of 10 Dirhams. However, some taxis can take you if you don’t have a car.
The cheapest option is to take a shared taxi called Grand Taxi. They take 4-6 persons and run once they fill up. The taxi stand is outside the Medina of Chefchaouen. You can easily ask for directions to get there. Once at the taxi stand, tell them you want to go to Akchour waterfall, and you will be guided onto the right Grand Taxi.
June to September are the warmest months when temperatures normally reach above 30 degrees Celsius. If you go during this time of year, dress light and bring your swimwear and towel, as it will be boiling along the hike. Luckily, there is plenty of shade along the path.
You can go in the shoulder seasons, March to May or October to November, for more pleasant temperatures. At these times, the temperatures usually reach 20-25 degrees Celsius, though rain chances are larger.
Finally, the “coldest” period is in the winter months, December to February. Temperatures in the daytime are normally between 10 and 17 degrees. While walking, this is not too hot or too cold.
You will most likely not want to dip in the crystalline water at this time of year. Well, unless you are hardcore from one of the Nordic countries (not like me). Make sure you are prepared for rain.
3. Oum Rabia Waterfalls
Located in the middle Atlas in the Khénifra Province, it is among the sources that feed the Oum Rabia River, one of the biggest rivers in the kingdom. The Cascade of Oum Rabia is also one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Morocco.
To get close to the falls, you’ll need to balance along a fairly narrow pathway alongside the river, hugging the soaring rocks at the side, and make your way across large stones in the water.
Fret not, though, as the waterfall is still just as stunning when viewed from a distance. Be sure to add a couple of these awesome feats of Mother Nature and pretty waterfalls to your bucket list for your next trip to Morocco.
From Azrou, it costs a hefty Dh1200 to hire a private grand taxi for this trip (including a stop in Ain Leuh). From Ain Leuh, the road ascends through thick juniper, oak, and cedar forests, where troops of Barbary macaques are sometimes spotted and skirt tiny Amazigh communities. Watch for shepherds and their flocks, nomad settlements in summer, and working donkeys going about daily tasks.
4. Paradise Valley waterfalls
The waterfalls of Paradise Valley are located 56 kilometers from Agadir and only 20 minutes from Taghazout for those visiting Morocco’s surfing center. The best times to visit the Paradise Valley waterfalls are in late winter and early spring when the river is full, and nature is green and lush.
The laid-back attraction offers gorgeous mountain views, multiple small waterfalls, green forests, and deep pools of clear green-blue waters. Visiting the waterfalls is a far different experience from Morocco’s bustling historical cities, such as Marrakech and Fez, and allows you to enjoy the relaxing nature and landscapes.
Visiting Agadir’s Paradise Valley is like visiting a real paradise where you can enjoy different activities, from sunbathing on the smooth rocks, leaping into the pools, playing under the falling water, or hiking the surrounding mountains.
Even when the valley is drier, and there isn’t much water in the river, you can still swim in the crystal-clear pools scattered all along the river. Here, you’ll find natural water slides carved out of the rocks through millions of years of erosion.
Also, this waterfall is a great place to hike. There are mountain trails that will take you up and above the cliffs surrounding the Tamraght River. The best time of the year to visit Paradise Valley Agadir is in late Winter and early Spring. During that time of the year, the rainy season is generally over or ending.
The river tends to be filled with water, and the valley is lush green. Combine that with ideal temperatures and very little rain, and perfect conditions. The Moroccan coast tends to be very dry in summer, so that wouldn’t be the best time to visit the valley.
Regardless of the time of the year you visit the area, always ask locals if it has rained recently and if the pools are full of water.
The waterfall is easy to reach from Agadir and can make a lovely day trip from the coastal city. You’ll be following the coastal road for a good part of the way there, and if the weather is sunny, you’ll get a gorgeous view of the beaches and coastline.
From Agadir, public transport offers a few different ways to get to Paradise Valley. The first way (easier but more expensive) is to take a shared taxi from Agadir’s bus and taxi terminal in the Abattoir district.
The second option (a bit more complex but cheaper) is to take a taxi or a city bus to Aourir and then take a shared taxi from there to the valley. Also, Taghazout is one of the best surfing destinations in Morocco, and it’s very close to Paradise Valley waterfalls, so you should visit both locations.
5. Ourika Valley Falls
Ourika Valley is located in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains and a little more than 50 kilometers from Marrakech and is home to one of the best waterfalls to visit in your travel to Morocco. Most travelers will come from the ochre city of Marrakech in the summer to cool down in the rocky rivers and mountains.
In Ourika Valley, you will find plenty of places and things to do. Many restaurants and shops along the river and different markets occur on different days of the week, such as Ourika market on Mondays, Tahanout on Tuesdays, Aghbalou on Thursdays, and Asni on Saturdays.
The hiking journey to the Ourika Valley waterfalls starts at the small village of Setti Fatma. On the journey, you will pass seven waterfalls that increase in size the higher you go. You will find various souvenir stalls and shops where you can buy drinks and rest.
You will also have the chance to see the locals on your journey, who are always happy to show you a typical Berber house, the original inhabitants of the High Atlas, hopefully, accompanied by traditional mint tea and homemade bread. Yummy!
Then it’ll be time to head back down the mountains. It seems like the easiest bit, but parts of the terrain tend to be slippery, so tread carefully. Once back down by the departure point, you will be shocked when you look back at the summit. You won’t believe you’ve been up there and climbed the whole thing!
6. Imi n’Ifri Waterfalls
The waterfalls of Imi n’Ifri are quite famous, but the natural bridge of Imi n’Ifri is not so much. The reason is simple, most people know what a waterfall is, but natural bridges are almost unknown. In this case, it’s the remnant of a huge cave, most of which is collapsed, but one cave segment still exists.
The remaining part is quite short, and light falls in from both sides, which means it is not dark as one would expect from a cave. Getting to the waterfall requires lengthy bus rides, a rented car, or an organized day trip.
Fortunately, the waterfalls make this a popular destination for day trips. From the walk to the cave, you can hire a local guide, who will tell you about the legends around the place.
7. Ras Elma Falls
The waterfall of Ras el-Maa is just beyond the far Northeastern gate of Chefchaouen Medina. Here, where the water comes gushing out of the mountain, local women come to do their washing. The sound of the water and the verdant hills provide a sudden, strong dose of nature.
You’ll be hiking for a couple of hours through rocky trails. But en route, you’ll tip-toe along dusty, orange ledges and catch glimpses of tumbling falls splashing into unreachable rock pools—a place for explorers.
8. Cascades de Setti Fatma
Setti Fatma Falls consists of several tiers of waterfalls. Surrounded by large boulders and sheer rock faces, the challenging climb through the levels provides many beautiful views. Some pools are suitable for paddling and bathing.
The valley was within the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco, one of the physical barriers to the Sahara Desert. First, the trail was not easy by any stretch of the imagination.
It involved a steep and persistent climb from an established footpath to a rocky scramble with stream crossings over harrowing makeshift bridges and dropoff exposure the higher up we went. Activities are swimming, sightseeing and hangout.
9. Tizgui Waterfall
Tizgui’s waterfalls are ideal for relaxing, picnicking, and camping under the stars. They are the best stopover for hikers to rest. A long road through winding hills and a rocky mountain valley lead to Tizgui. It is undeniably a magnificent landscape, although the surroundings do not give the impression that a corner of paradise is hidden behind it.
Upon arrival, rustic stairs following the cliff take you to the Oued’s edge. This is a perfect spot for nature lovers in the middle of a paradise of freshness and greenery, away from the hustle and bustle.
Dropping into a magnificent natural pool surrounded by palm and fig trees, breathtaking waterfalls slide over the worn rocks.
The water flows through oleander-filled passageways while irrigating the surrounding greenery. Small natural pools are ideal for swimming form when the water is collected. A spectacular panorama of vivid scenery can be seen from the top of the cliffs.
Tizgui’s waterfalls can be reached by following the stream of Oued Drâa from the reservoir of Mansour Dhabi. On the way to Agdz’ valley, hikers or donkey riders often stop by Tizgui’s waterfalls. When the flow of the Draa’ valley is low in the summer, the water follows the same track. It runs on big pink and green pebbles.
10. Imlil waterfall
Imlil Cascades is a small series of waterfalls just outside the small Berber village of Imlil. Located in the High Atlas Mountains, it is the starting point for trekking near Mount Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa.
Away from the main drag to the cascades, there are smaller villages to be discovered, still the home to the Berber way of life and unchanged for many years.
Arrive early as the temperature in the middle of the day can be too hot for walking. Also, please wear sturdy shoes because it is possible to walk in flip-flops, but it isn’t ideal. Make sure you have small change, as there are several small stalls with drinks, food, and trinkets for sale along the path.
What To Pack For A Trip to Morocco Falls?
Packing for your trip to waterfalls can be difficult, especially if it’s your first time and you are still determining what to expect.
So, here are the essentials you should bring when you hike to Akchour waterfall:
- Hiking shoes/good sneakers (there are several steep parts where you need good footwear).
- Rainproof jacket (if the weather forecast suggests it might rain).
- Swimwear and towel (if you want to go for a refreshing swim in the river – on a hot day).
- Snacks like fruit, nuts, etc. (if you don’t want to buy anything on the way, it is important to have some energy-boosting snack).
- Water (at least 2 liters per person).
- Camera (with extra battery and enough space on your memory card – because if you are anything like me, you will stop all the time for stunning photos).
- Cash (if you want to buy drinks or food along the trail).
If you are interested to know more details about packaging for a trip in Morocco then you can check my previous article about What to Wear When Travelling To Morocco.
The Bottom Line
Experiencing the waterfalls in Morocco is one of the most underrated reasons to visit this spectacular country. Not only does a cheeky hike through nature give you a refreshing break from the hustle and bustle of the city, but it also allows you to witness some of the world’s most transfixing phenomena.
Who doesn’t love the sound of water crashing against a rock or a refreshing natural spritz on a dusty summer’s day?
Whether you’re strapping on your boots and gearing up for an epic ascent to heaven’s gate, or you’re just ready to read a good book beside a beautiful blue lagoon, the waterfalls in Morocco give you plenty of options.
That’s all for this blog post. Hope you enjoyed reading it!
Cheers!
