Ourika Valley- First waterfall of Setti Fatma: about 30 minutes up, steep and rocky
- Village walks on mule paths: easy to moderate, half a day
- Trek Imlil to Setti Fatma: three days over a pass at 3,172 m
- Best seasons: spring and autumn; start early in summer
- Guided walk and lunch with a Berber family: 60 EUR per person
Hiking in the Ourika Valley ranges from a half-hour climb to a waterfall to a three-day trek across the High Atlas. There are three kinds of walks. The best known is the path to the seven waterfalls of Setti Fatma, at the end of the road at about 1,500 m: the first fall is about 30 minutes up, on a steep and rocky path. The second kind is the half-day walk between villages on mule paths, above terraced fields, easy to moderate and best done with a local guide. The third is the trek that links Imlil to Setti Fatma in three days over a pass at 3,172 m. Spring and autumn are the best seasons, and the main danger is the flash flood after a thunderstorm. Our guided walk with lunch in a Berber family home costs 60 EUR per person.
We walk these paths with travellers all year. This guide sorts the walks by effort, so you can choose one that fits your legs and your day.
Which walks can you do in the Ourika Valley?
| Walk | Start | Time | Level | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First waterfall of Setti Fatma | Setti Fatma | About 30 minutes up | Short but steep and rocky | Recommended |
| The upper waterfalls | Setti Fatma | Half a day | Demanding, a scramble in places | Necessary |
| Walk between villages with lunch | Villages on the slopes of the valley | Half a day | Easy to moderate | Included |
| Trek Imlil to Setti Fatma | Imlil | Three days | Mountain trek | Necessary, with mules |
The Setti Fatma waterfalls
The path starts in the village, crosses the river on a footbridge and climbs through boulders to the first of seven falls. It takes about 30 minutes, and it is steeper than most visitors expect: in a few places you use your hands. Beyond the first fall the route becomes a scramble, and most people turn back there. A track of the seven waterfalls recorded on Wikiloc measures about 7.2 km with 488 m of climb, which gives an idea of the full circuit. Our guide to the Setti Fatma waterfalls describes the path step by step and explains the flood risk.
Walks between villages
Away from the waterfall path the valley is quiet. Mule paths link the villages on the slopes, above terraced fields watered by the irrigation channels, and a local guide leads you at a relaxed pace, with time to look at the houses, the walnut trees and the terraces. This is the walk we recommend to most travellers: it is easy to moderate, there is no crowd, and it ends at a family table. Our walk and lunch with a Berber family is exactly that: a private half-day with a guide from the valley and a home-cooked lunch, 60 EUR per person.
The trek from Imlil to Setti Fatma
The Ourika Valley is also the end of a classic three-day trek from Imlil. A mountain guide's programme gives these stages:
| Day | Stage | Walking time | Highest point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Imlil (1,740 m) to Tacheddirt (2,400 m) | About 5 hours | Tizi n'Tamatert, 2,279 m |
| 2 | Tacheddirt to Timichi (2,000 m) | About 6 hours | Tizi n'Iabbassen, 3,172 m |
| 3 | Timichi to Setti Fatma | 4 to 5 hours | Downhill through the villages of the upper Ourika |
Nights are spent in village houses, and mules carry the bags. It is a real mountain trek, to be done with a qualified mountain guide, and not in winter when the high pass is under snow. We do not sell this trek; we can drive you to Imlil for the start or collect you at Setti Fatma at the end, with our private transport. Our comparison of Ourika, Ouzoud and Imlil explains why Imlil is the base for hikers.
When is the best season to hike?
| Season | Conditions |
|---|---|
| Spring (March to May) | The best: water in the falls, green terraces, snow on the summits |
| Summer (June to August) | Cooler than Marrakech, but start early; thunderstorms in the afternoon |
| Autumn (September to November) | Calm and clear; storms still possible early in the season |
| Winter (December to February) | Cold and bright in the valley; high passes under snow |
Check the Ourika Valley weather before you set out: our page has a live seven-day forecast for Setti Fatma.
How do you stay safe?
- Never walk in or along the riverbed when a storm is forecast. After a storm upstream the river can rise in minutes, as it did in October 2026.
- Listen to the guides and the villagers. When they say to come down, they mean it.
- Wear closed shoes with grip. The rock is polished and wet near the falls.
- Carry water and a warm layer. The valley is cooler than Marrakech and the weather changes fast.
- Start early. Mornings are cooler, quieter and safer.
How do you book a guided walk?
| Walk | Price | What is included |
|---|---|---|
| Walk and lunch with a Berber family | 60 EUR per person | Local guide, walk between villages, home-cooked lunch and tea |
| Transport from Marrakech for that walk | 120 EUR per vehicle for 1 to 7 people, 200 EUR for 8 to 17 | Private vehicle and driver, return |
| Local guide for the waterfalls, on the private day trip | 40 EUR per group for 1 to 7 people, 80 EUR for 8 to 17 | A guide from the valley for the waterfall walk |
Everything is paid online, with free cancellation up to 7 days before.
For what you may see on the way, read our guide to the nature and wildlife of the valley. For a walk at altitude without a climb, the Oukaïmeden plateau is easy ground at 2,600 m.
Sources
- Wikiloc, hiking routes at Setti Fatma: distance and climb of the seven waterfalls circuit
- Ecotourisme Trek Maroc, Imlil to Setti Fatma trek in three days: stages, altitudes and walking times
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ourika Valley good for hiking?
Yes, for easy and moderate walks. The valley has a short, steep walk to waterfalls, quiet paths between villages and terraces, and the start of a multi-day trek. For big mountain hiking as the only aim of the day, Imlil and the Toubkal massif are the better base.
How hard is the hike to the Setti Fatma waterfalls?
The first waterfall is about 30 minutes up from the village on a steep, rocky path where you sometimes use your hands. Going higher towards the other falls is harder and needs a guide. A track recorded on Wikiloc for the seven waterfalls measures about 7.2 km with 488 m of climb.
Do you need a guide to hike in the Ourika Valley?
Not for the first waterfall, although a guide from the village makes it safer and more interesting. For the upper falls, for walks between villages and for any trek, yes: paths are not signposted and the river changes after rain.
Can you walk from the Ourika Valley to Imlil?
Yes, in three days in the usual direction from Imlil to Setti Fatma: Imlil to Tacheddirt over the Tizi n'Tamatert, Tacheddirt to Timichi over a pass at 3,172 m, then down to Setti Fatma. It needs a mountain guide, mules and nights in village houses.
When is the best time to hike in the Ourika Valley?
Spring, from March to May, for water in the falls and green terraces, and autumn for calm, clear days. In summer start early: storms build in the afternoon. In winter the valley floor is walkable but the high passes are under snow.
How much does a guided walk cost?
Our walk with a local guide and lunch in a Berber family home costs 60 EUR per person, with transport from Marrakech as an option. On the private day trip, a local guide for the waterfalls costs 40 EUR per group for 1 to 7 people and 80 EUR for 8 to 17.
What should you wear to hike in the valley?
Closed shoes with good grip, never flip-flops, a warm layer because the valley is cooler than Marrakech, sun protection and water. In the villages, cover shoulders and knees.
