The Cascades d’Ouzoud are a beautiful and tranquil place, nestled in the Atlas Mountains not far from Marrakech. These waterfalls cascade over 110 meters and are the highest in North Africa. The basin of the falls, noisy with the rush of water – cool and breathtaking – is definately worth the journey to discover them.  Those who have a great love of Marrakech, Fes and even a fondness for Casablanca will almost all agree that the most relaxed places in Morocco are well outside the cities. The desert regions of Rissani and the mountain villages of the Rif and High Atlas are among favorite destinations for tourists. These are places where you can take your time and really appreciate the landscape and enjoy the hospitality of friends, old and new, without feeling pressure to constantly be on the go.

These waterfalls cascade over 110 meters…and are a favorite hangout for Barbary Apes.

When you leave Marrakech, for instance, there’s a genuine sense of getting away as you start to see the buildings give way to rugged countryside. The space opens up and it’s almost a relief to know that you’re leaving all the modernity behind. Whether by bus, 4×4 or grand taxi, it’s a relatively short trip to the Cascades d’Ouzoud. The trip winds upward from Marrakech and into a landscape of stunning rock cliffs, forested slopes and scattered villages. The biggest draw to Ouzoud is without doubt the waterfalls. These constantly flowing, 110 meter cascades keep the tiny valley in which Ouzoud is situated cool, even during the height of summer. The rushing waters of the Oued el-Abid flow over the cliff’s edge here to form the highest waterfalls in all of North Africa. 

Beyond the quaint cafes that have sprouted up near the waterfalls, the region is a painter’s inspiration of reddish stone walls and verdant, leafy greens. On the outskirts of the tiny village of Ouzoud, roam ever growing more brave tribes of macaque, or Barbary apes. These furry denizens are seen along the cliff walls and the tree lined footpaths that criss-cross the valley. The apes are quite daring and clever, often [pullquoteleft]divesting visitors of treats despite the warnings not to feed the monkeys. The falls take their name from the Berber word for olives and the area is well cultivated with olive and carob trees. It’s very easy to spend hours at leisure between the cafes, quiet hotels or exploring the well marked trails through the valley. There are easy hikes to a place the locals call “the Mexican village” and swimming or boating are on the list of activities, too. All-in-all, Ouzoud is an idyllic way to spend a few days when you just have to get away from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech.