Atlas Mountain and Oukaimeden Day Trip – Full Day

“Spectacular views and wonderful scenery. A very enjoyable trip and welcome break from the madness of Marrakech!” — Julia, United Kingdom

Although visions of sand dunes and camel rides typically come to mind at the mention of Morocco, the country is actually home to ski resorts as well. The most famous of these is Oukaïmeden, located 3,200 meters (10,750 ft) above sea level. The resort and ski lifts here are Africa’s highest, typically accessed by from nearby Marrakech 80km away.

Our next stop in the High Atlas brings us to Ourika Valley, at the mountain’s foothills. The beautiful green landscape here is a natural sanctuary in contrast to the chaotic streets of Marrakech. We’ll make a beeline for Setti Fatma village, a charming Berber locale at 1,500m altitude – still relatively cooler than the plains of Haouz we’ve left behind.

If you’re up for a little hike, you can follow the mountain path to a series of waterfalls and streams. Monkeys and goats might greet you as you marvel at the Moroccan countryside with views of snow-capped peaks, cliffs tumbling down to gorges, and colorful flora. It should take around an hour to finish the trail, unless you’re tempted by one of the waterside restaurants to dine on delicious tagine with a view!

Speaking of food, you are free to enjoy lunch at your own leisure at one of the local restaurants in the area. Whether you decide to hike or not, there are many options by the stream close to the traditional souks peddling artisanal wares such as weave carpets and Argan oil in the village center.

“Hiking up to the waterfalls was a great experience. A good mixture of nature and local shops all along the path. The views are spectacular and the atmosphere along the trail is friendly and energizing.” — Shirley, USA