As soon as you arrive in Marrakech there is an abundance of chaos and colours and opportunity for tours and sights you didn’t even know you needed to see! Definitely leave time for all of that and more. But what is now one of our favourite things to do in Marrakech is a day trip to Ourika Valley.
Ourika Valley is known for spectacular scenery, the colourful villages of Setti Fatma, snow-capped peaks (truly), rushing rivers and the beautiful seven waterfalls of Ourika. It is like a whole another world. And for us it just confirms that Morocco really does have it all…
Deserts, coastlines, beaches, mountains, oases, rivers, and valleys. And this time the adventure is only an hour and a half from the city.
Here is everything you need to know to visit Ourika Valley on a day trip from Marrakech. And how to get to Setti Fatma in Ourika Valley by motorhome and where to spend the night.
About Ourika Valley as a day trip from Marrakech
- About Ourika Valley
- Marrakech to Setti Fatma
- Setti Fatemi Village
- Driving to Ourika Valley
- Parking in Setti Fatma
- Hiring a guide
- Walk to Ourika Seven Waterfalls
- More about Morocco
Where and what is Ourika Valley? And what is Setti Fatma?
Ourika Valley is home to some of Morocco’s most lush and beautiful natural landscapes. For centuries the valley has been inhabited by the Berber people. The Berber or Amazigh people are an ethnic group native to North Africa who have lived in the area since ancient times. Today they are known for their hospitality and welcoming attitude towards visitors.
Ourika Valley itself offers a natural pass up into the High Atlas Mountains. The vegetation in the valley is naturally lush from the abundance of flowing water. And thus the inahbitants take advantage of the environment and cultivate orcahrds and vegetable gardens.
And as well as agriculture the valley is now a popular domestic tourist destination for a great day trip from Marrakech to escape the heat of the city and surrounding plains.
Setti Fadma, Sti Fatima or Sidi Fatema. It is spelt in many ways in English. But however, you see it written, Setti Fatma is the largest village further up Ourika Valley. And it is the starting point for the short trek to the Ourika Valley Seven Waterfalls.
How long is the drive from Marrakech to Setti Fatma?
Google Maps has the drive from Marrakech to Setti Fatma as 1.5 hours. And that is pretty accurate. It might surprise you that the distance is only 62km. But because the state of the roads from Ourika town to the valley and villages is windy and sometimes single-laned it does take longer than the map appears.
But don’t be put off. The drive is stunning. It’s a slow meandering road. (It’s big enough for coach buses). And there is certainly much to see.
The first colourful villages of Ourika Valley
The drive from Marrakech will take you first through the town of Ourika. And continue onwards up the beautiful Ourika Valley.
As soon as you reach the valley you pass through small villages where each side of the van feels lined with smoldering tagines. And you will see the first (of many) restaurants that line the river all the way up the valley.
Keep an eye on your GPS as there are many villages that look like the iconic colourful restaurants of Setti Fatma. But in fact, from here there is still another 20 minutes or so to go.
Arriving in Setti Fatma village in Ourika Valley
Once you arrive in the beautiful village of Setti Fadema continue onwards until one of the last parking options. These are the largest parking spaces and suitable with a motorhome. We recommend ‘Parking Les Casscades’. (Actually I’m pretty sure they are all called the same name; but it is the second-to-last parking on the left).
Plus, if you want to stay the night in your motorhome here in Setti Fatma it only costs 20 Dh overnight. (That is 2 EUR!).
What is it like driving through Ourika Valley and the villages by motorhome?
This is absolutely a fair question. And especially given the challenge of narrowing roads (and those not-high-but-cliffs-all-the-same) and winding one-way roadworks on the way out here.
But driving through the village itself is slow. And perhaps in a motorhome this is the time to be thankful for the seemingly endless hawkers for parking and guides dotted along the length of the village road. Wind your window down and say Salam. They will guide you (some usefully and others less so) past the chaos of motorbikes and domestic tourism. And the Mercedes buses. And the Utes laden with men and gas bottles ready to head further up the valley.
It’s exciting for sure! But take it slow. And feel reassured by the odd tourist coach bus and occasional large truck that drives the village with confidence.
Parking in Setti Fatma (is it safe to leave your vehicle?).
We have been twice to Setti Fatema on a day trip to Ourika Valley from Marrekech. And each time we have parked in the same parking space. It’s called Parking Des Cascades. It is the second to last parking spot in the village. And it does have plenty of space to turn around with your motorhome.
How much does it cost to park in Ourika Valley?
- Parking for the day: 10 Dh
- Parking overnight: 20 Dh
The parking wardens are friendly and will help you find a good spot to stay in Setti Fatma with your motorhome.
Do you need a guide for the walk to Ourika Waterfalls?
You will have met the guides dotted throughout the village calling out their services as you drive past. “Waterfall!? Guide? Cascade?”
I’m pretty sure a guide is not compulsory. But it’s a great way to put something back into these small communities and the beautiful village. And for 100 Dh it’s a great way to have a bit more of a personal connection with these unique villages.
We are lucky to have met an amazing guide in Setti Fatma that totally made our trip to this valley paradise.
This is Mohammed. A guide born in the valley and where his family has lived for generations. Mohammed speaks great English (as well as French and Arabic) and absolutely knows the trails like the back of his hand. (And read on til the end to see just how special Mohammed made our day!).
Give Mohammed a call for a fantastic experience in Setti Fatma.
- Mohammed: +212 641 80 53 41
The walk to the Ourika Waterfalls
The most common walk to the waterfalls in Ourika Valley is a short (but with some stairs) 30-minute walk uphill to the largest waterfall. And 30 minutes back down the same path.
The trail winds up through a small village lined with souvenir shops selling handcrafts, carvings, Moroccan rugs and textiles. (You can never have too many Moroccan rugs, right?).
On reaching the main waterfall there is a small café set up with cold drinks and space to take photos of the waterfall and looking back down the valley.
The path is uphill all the way but well-trodden and suitable for most walkers.
The next stage is further uphill. So, you can choose to continue from here or head back down to the village using the same path you came up.
The second stage of the walk to Ourika Waterfalls
The second stage of the walk is steeper uphill and much less trodden. There are parts that are extremely steep up and with no edge on the side so do take care. (This part is recommended with a guide).
The path climbs straight up to another small café stop. The views here are incredible and (assuming you are with a guide) this is a good place to stop for a break and cold drink.
Next, there is the option to climb uphill further (there isn’t much of a path at all) for a different view of the waterfall. Or take the cliff path along the top that curls back around above Setti Fadema village.
The path is clear but there are a few parts that will make you hold your breath. Look out for the exposed rocks to step on as the smaller gravel makes more for a slippery ball-bearing kind of experience!
The views over the village of Setti Fadema are incredible. It’s hard to believe this is only a day trip from Marrakech. It looks like stepping right back in time.
From the waterfalls back to the village
The path from the viewpoint winds back down through terraced apple orchards to the river level. On our first visit the orchards were in blossom just before spring and the already-incredible views were even more spectacular.
Walk across one of the small bridges back onto the main road and follow the road slightly downhill back to the village.
A very special experience with Mohammed in Setti Fatma
This is our second visit to Setti Fatma and Ourika Waterfalls with Mohammed. Mohammed works closely with Morhara Morocco Tours with whom we visited Siti Fatema last time on a day trip from Marrakech.
But this time I want to share an additional and very special experience with Mohammed. As we curved back around through the apple orchards expecting to take the path downhill and over the wooden bridge; Mohammed asked if we needed to get back or if we wanted to extend the walk to see the next village.
Of course, we said yes!
The walk to the next village (which for the life of me I can’t pronounce) was beautiful through more orchards. And we continued further into the incredible looking village of Agadir.
This is Mohammed’s village. It was a real honour to walk through his village with him. We saw chickens and cats. (We learnt the Amazgih word for cat is ‘Moush”!). And we met a donkey and his friendly young owner.
It is amazing to see the buildings of these villages up close and walk the small alleyways that connect all the homes on the side of the hill.
The boys spotted the small preschool next door to the Masjid.
But the highlight of the whole experience was visiting Mohammed’s home. We met his family and shared some of the best Moroccan mint tea we’ve ever tried! We all loved the fresh bread and dipping oil. And the boys very excitedly tried what is his son’s favourite chocolate spread too.
The views from Mohammed’s window looking out over the river and valley below are something we will all remember long after today. But the hospitality and chance to visit a family home in Morocco is a memory from Setti Fattema that we will all treasure forever.
Visiting Ourika Valley on a day trip from Marrakech
We spent the night in Setti Fatma in the overnight parking in our motorhome. The riverside restaurants are open until dark and are still serving tagines and Moroccan dishes until then.
The morning in the village is very quiet with the call to prayer waking even the sleeping puppies not far from our van. It’s a slow start here in the valley. But as we set off today for the drive back to the city, we can’t help feeling thankful for such a special experience once again in Morocco. And really it is so close to Marrakech!
If you are looking at the option of making a day trip from Marrakech to Ourika Valley; do it.
We are very glad we did!
More useful links for your travels in Morocco and beyond…
These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- Skyscanner – This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Make sure you have travel insurance before riding those trains in India!
Read more about travel in Morocco
- Taking the vehicle ferry from Spain to Morocco with your motorhome.
- Driving in Morocco: Everything you wanted to ask.
- Crossing the Morocco Mauritania border from Dakhla.
- Motorhome services in Morocco: What is it like?
- A guide to campsites in Morocco.
- Visiting the famous Guelmim Camel Market.
- Buying a SIM card in Morocco (and how to get unlimited data!).