My Morocco Part I: The lush valley of Ourika

Hey there friends!

As the temperature here in Quebec remains stubbornly glued at a merciless –25°C (yes, minus), every Mediterranean cell in my body has filed an official complaint. I’ve shifted into survival mode, dreaming of sun‑drenched places and palm trees.

So today, I’m taking you somewhere special. Somewhere that held my hand when I almost died climbing a slippery rock, somewhere with tagines so good they could resurrect you, somewhere that smells like fresh bread, river mist, and adventure.

Welcome to my beloved Ourika Valley and Setti Fatma, a gem tucked in the Atlas Mountains—once a well‑kept secret… and now, thanks to every Marrakech visitor with an iPhone, slightly less secret.

The land of waterfalls, palm trees, Berber villages, and the coldest river you will ever dip!

The Ourika Valley is about 60–70 km from Marrakech and sits on the slopes of the majestic High Atlas, famous for its lush greenery, clear river, and the hiking trail to Setti Fatma’s seven waterfalls. Thanks to the altitude, the air is cooler than the city—locals escape here in summer for the breeze and the green.

As we were driving up, I remember staring out the car window thinking:Are we… inside the clouds? Because yes, the mountains feel that close.

The famous 7 waterfalls (or “How I survived climbing wet rocks”)

Setti Fatma is the last village in the valley and the jumping‑off point for the cascades. The first waterfall is only about a 30‑minute walk over rocks and little water pools—totally doable for beginners and kids.

For waterfalls 2–7: expect a longer, steeper 2–2.5‑hour push with fewer people, bigger views, and yes—occasional Berber macaques cameo appearances. Bring water, decent shoes, and your last will (just kidding; or maybe not).

Navigation basics: the village and trail hug the Ourika River: you’ll cross little bridges and rock passages as you follow the sound of rushing water upstream. Hiring a local guide is optional but lovely for stories, shortcuts, and safety.

Getting There (and where your patience pays off)

From Marrakech, plan 1.5–2 hours by car depending on how many times you stop to photograph camels, mountains, and the olive groves.

The Post‑Hike Feast (a universal truth: adventure opens the appetite)

After my survival—I mean… climb—I descended with a heart full and a stomach aggressively empty. We found the perfect table right on the river (yes, you can touch the water while you eat).

Menu, short and legendary:

• Freshly baked bread from a wood‑fire oven

• Moroccan salad (tomatoes, onion, coriander)

• Tagine—ours was goat with vegetables, simple and impossibly tender; Atlas herbs do the talking. I mean, it can easily turn a vegetarian into a carnivore.

• All escorted by fragrant Moroccan mint tea

  
  

And Yes… There Will Be Shops

And as with every place that grows touristically and respects itself, you will naturally find lots of little shops nestled inside the village and lining the riverbanks. They’re colorful, lively, and absolutely irresistible. Expect stalls selling local food products, hand‑crafted jewelry, argan oil, pottery, spices, and all sorts of treasures you never knew you needed until that exact moment. These stalls are part of Setti Fatma’s current vibe as both a beloved local escape and a popular day‑trip spot from Marrakech.

When to Go (and how to keep your sanity)

Eight years ago, Ourika felt quiet, raw, untouched. Recently, weekends can be busy—parking gets competitive and tables fill up fast because locals love lunching by the river and tourism has grown. My golden rule: weekday + early = the best tables, quiet trails, and prettier photos.

 Quick Tips (pin these!)

• Shoes: grippy trainers. The trail can be damp and slick.

• Guide or no guide? Optional, but wonderful for extra cascades and cultural context.

• Cash: for cafés, taxis, and those irresistible riverbank treasures. (Card acceptance is hit‑or‑miss in small stalls.)

• Photos: morning light along the river is dreamy; late afternoon glows at the viewpoints above Setti Fatma.

  
  

Why I Love This Place So Much

It’s not just the waterfalls or the mountains or the food.

It’s the way this place unfolds before your eyes like a terracotta dream, with the crystal sound of the river and the smell of freshly baked bread.

I hope I passed on that exotic vibe to you!

Love, Katerina