Ouzoud Waterfalls in the Grand Atlas

Ouzoud Waterfalls in Morocco
































Beautiful Ouzoud Waterfalls is located in the Grand Atlas Mountain range in central Morocco about 90 miles northeast of Marrakesh. It is quite famous in Morocco and one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world as the water tumbles some 360 lovely and amazing feet through lush greenery.
Victoria Falls is the most famous waterfall in Africa but Ouzoud Falls might just be the prettiest waterfall in all of Africa. It is certainly the most beautiful waterfall in Northern Africa and is a very popular tourist destination for those visiting Morocco.

The word ouzoud means "olive" in the Berber language and there are many olive trees right around Ouzoud Waterfalls. At the bottom of the falls are old mills a few of which are still in use by locals. One can even take a swim in the water at the bottom of the Ouzoud Falls if one is so inclined and boat rides are available on the river below that take visitors near the falls and provide spectacular views of the falls. Efforts are continuing in Morocco to permanently preserve and protect this beautiful Moroccan wonder.

Starting from Marrakesh, a day’s visit to the famous Ouzoud waterfalls of about 100 metres in height and which constitute one of the most spectacular natural beauty spots in Morocco. It is about a three hour drive to get there. The surrounding countryside offers red cliffs, oleander and doves and, if you are lucky, you will catch a glimpse of some Barbary apes. Bird-watchers will enjoy a trip to the waterfalls, too as will walkers who can enjoy the area at any time of year, except perhaps the hottest summer months of July and August. There are plenty of places to have lunch with a view over the waterfalls from their terraces. And a short walk will bring you to the top of the falls from where you can look down at their full magnificence and at the river.




Most tourists do not associate waterfalls with Morocco a country with a population of 32 million and 173,000 square miles. But the interior of Morocco is split by the Atlas Mountains and numerous valleys in and around the mountains which contain many waterfalls especially during the Spring runoff. Ouzoud Falls is by far the most spectacular of these waterfalls and the most visited. It flows all year long and is particularly amazing in the Spring or after decent to heavy rainfall.

Tourism plays a large role in Morocco's economy but Ouzoud Waterfalls is probably underutilized from this standpoint. The waterfalls here are special and spectacular the country could probably lure tourists here just to visit Ouzoud Falls. All the tourist guides put out by the Moroccan Government should contain at least one photo of the Ouzoud Waterfalls. Other great tourist attractions in Morocco include the Roman ruins at Volubilis, the great sand dunes at Erg Chebbi, Atlas Studios which is the largest film studio in the world, the King Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca which is built right over the Atlantic Ocean and the souks or spice markets of Marrakesh. Ouzoud Waterfalls is just as special as any of these national treasures.

Ouzoud Falls is such a special natural wonder that it is in the running in the New7Wonders of Nature contest run by the New7Wonders Foundation in which anybody can vote online for their favorite wonders of nature anywhere in the world. Ouzoud Falls will probably not be selected as one of the seven natural wonders but it will certainly be in the running and has my vote as well as the votes of many of the tourists who have visited this lovely special African waterfall.


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Ouzoud Cascades

Ouzoud Cascades


There more than one place to view the waterfalls. The point seen on these two pictures, is the one bringing you the closest to the action. This is the place where water splashes against your face, and among the best places to spot barbary apes.
What you see here is the upper part of the waterfalls — in order to behold the rest, and then also the entire waterfalls, you will have to continues the descend, until you reach the natural pools. This is also the place where swimming is both possible and legal.



The Ouzoud Cascades has become the most famous waterfalls of Morocco, mainly due to its photo-friendliness. The area is quite impressive with a total 100 metre fall. And in summer, it is most refreshing here.
You arrive here by passing through the tiny village of Ouzoud, continue pass the many souvenir stalls, start climbing down the stairs pass the many cafes. Right before starting on the stairs, you will have had your first view over the water falls, and it will look approximately as you see on this picture.
Even at this point, the waterfalls have not come to an end. But what is behind you now, is not impressive at all. This point here, is a cosy area.
Not only does it give the best views of the waterfalls and good opportunities for swimming, it is also a place to rest. There are small boats that can bring you out into the pools, as well as over to the other side. These boats serve little practical use, since it is easy to walk over to the other side. But they are there for the purpose of charm.




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ouzoud waterfalls

ouzoud waterfalls

Ouzoud Waterfalls (French: Cascades d'Ouzoud) (110 m high) are located in the Grand Atlas village of Tanaghmeilt, in the province of Azilal, 150 km north-east of Marrakech, in Morocco.
Ouzoud means "the act of grinding grain" in Berber, this theory is confirmed by the frequent mills in the region .
The bottom of the falls is accessible through a shaded path of olive trees. At the summit of the falls, there exist a dozen of old small mills that are still in use. One can also follow a narrow and difficult track leading to the road of Beni Mellal while descending the gorges from the "wadi el-Abid" by a canyon sometimes which one does not distinguish the bottom with nearly 600 metres.
It is the most visited site of the region. In the vicinity, Green valleys, mills, orchards and a superb circuit of the gorges of the El Abid River (in Arabic, "Slaves' River" ), are found. Many local and national associations lead projects to protect and preserve the site.




Excursion to the Cascades of Ouzoud :
We leave Marrakech early bound Ouzoud waterfalls, located 160km from Marrakech. After passing through the plain of Marrakech, crossing the Atlas mountains of the medium to reach ouzoud cascades. This is the best waterfalls in the country where we will see rises of water up to 110 meters. We will spend a day walking under the falls and cross the river with small boats to visit local water mills, traditional and ancestral. Enjoy a nice meal on a chilly air terrace overlooking the waterfalls. In the afternoon, return to Marrakech.

The Ouzoud Waterfalls (Cascades d'Ouzoud), are one of the most surprising and beautiful attractions in Morocco. The river plunges over 100 meters in a complex network of waterfalls that cascades one into another through three major and several minor drops. The impressive roar seems to soothe like an old lullaby.

The juxtaposition of these verdant and luxurious falls in a land of red sandstone, dust and dessert somehow brightens your outlook and puts a spring in your step. The sheer joy of nature and the life giving force of water seems to be captured in every shiny leaf and exploding flower bud that clings and populates the luscious river gorge.

At only 150 kms from Marrakesh in the province of Azilal, the Cascades make an ideal day trip at any time of year and our Riad offers you the perfect base from which to explore this stunning natural monument to water.




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