The Route de l’Ourika starts in Marrakech, climbs toward the Atlas for 60 km. Most visitors see the first 15 km and turn back. This is not about that.
Why on foot
The car gets you there. Walking makes you see. It’s on foot that you cross paths with a woman laying bread on a hot rock, a man irrigating his garden by diverting river water, children singing on their way out of school. The valley is not visited — it’s crossed.
Starting point: KM30 (Aghbalou)
The village of Aghbalou sits at KM30 on the Ourika road, 17 km from Villa Azur (KM13). Youssef drops you off in the morning and picks you up at Setti Fatma in the afternoon. On Mondays and Thursdays, Aghbalou hosts its market — walnuts, dates, skhina bread. A good reason to start on those days.
The itinerary (4–5 hours, low to moderate difficulty)
- Aghbalou (KM30) — Start here. If it’s market day (Monday or Thursday), take 20 minutes to wander through.
- Tafza (KM37) — After the bridge, take the path on the left. The trail runs along the river through terraced fields. You can hear the water the entire time.
- Botanical Garden (KM32) — A pleasant, well-maintained stop with local medicinal plants, argan trees, and enough to keep children busy for an hour.
- Setti Fatma (KM60) — End point. The waterfalls are a 30-minute walk from the village. The first levels need no guide. For the higher levels, a local guide (~€10) is recommended.
- Lunch at Setti Fatma — Lamb tagine, stone-baked bread, mint tea. Pick the restaurant with the least plastic on the tables — it’s usually the best.
What to bring
- Walking shoes (not sandals — the trail is rocky)
- Water for 5+ hours (1.5L minimum)
- A light jacket (altitude changes the conditions)
- Offline maps (maps.me or OsmAnd)
No guide is needed to reach Setti Fatma — the path is obvious and locals are happy to point the way.
What nobody tells you
The river overflows in autumn after heavy rain. Check with Youssef before you go. The 1995 flood killed hundreds of people — this is not a footnote. In summer, leave at 7 am or wait until 5 pm: between noon and 4 pm, the heat in the valley is suffocating.
If you prefer desert to mountains, the Agafay desert offers a radically different landscape. And for choosing the right season, winter is ideal for hiking. Find all our excursions to plan your day.
