Ourika Valley Road Trip from Marrakech — Full Day

Around 60km south of Marrakech lies Ourika Valley, a cooler mountain escape from the noise and heat of the bustling city. We recommend napping for the first 30 minutes of the drive, because the breathtaking views begin shortly after that. Think colorful Berber villages and rolling landscapes of the ancient north African mountain range, dating back around 170 million years.

“It is a lush green landscape of willow, cherry and pine trees, with cactus plants scattered among them.” — Tony Bailie, The Irish News

We’ll stop at the Berber village of Setti Fatma, and if it happens to be a Monday or Thursday, the roadside market souks will be open for exploring! For the more adventurous, strap on your hiking sandals for an hour-long walk through a series of waterfalls criss-crossing a pretty stream in the beautiful valley. This short hike rewards with vistas of snow capped mountains, local flora, and dramatic cliffs. (Tip: Basic fitness and comfortable walking shoes are recommended for this activity. Take the round trip path rather than going up and down.)

If you choose to walk, feel free to enjoy stops along the way, where you can take a break to dine at one of the waterside eateries. (Delicious Berber tagine, please!) Otherwise, you can also have lunch at one of the restaurants next to the river. Dig into authentic Moroccan fare as you admire the views and sip on the famous Moroccan mint tea.

On this tour, you can also choose to visit the Berber houses in the village. You can learn about the ancient craft of carpet-weaving here, or watch the women prepare argan oil at the co-op. You can also head to the viewpoint to take photos of the valley below, where the Berbers have built their mountainside homes and agricultural terraces.

“We did this trip whilst in Marrakech and it's well worth the effort. The views are amazing on the way up and it's especially great to finally get to the top and take in the view of the falls and below.” — Tony, Sweden

“Initially intimidated by a place so distant and unfamiliar, I left appreciating the people and culture more than I had imagined.” — Stephanie Krubsack, SKParfait.com