Short & low level treks in High Atlas, Toubkal region of Morocco - REDISCOVER THE WORLD


Ourika Valley & Setti Fadma Cascades

ref. - ITCTRAK08m
(5 hours hike)

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: GRADE ONE - WALKING MOSTLY ON PATHS AT LOWER LEVELS, SOMETIMES ROCKY, SELDOM FLAT, FOR ABOUT 6 HOURS EACH DAY. GOOD TRAINERS WOULD DO, BUT TAKE BOOTS IF YOU ARE USED TO THEM. FOR ANYONE WHO LEADS A REASONABLY ACTIVE LIFE. HIKING ALWAYS INVOLVES SOME EFFORT.

After an early morning’s breakfast we set out from Marrakech around 8 in the morning for an exciting 1½ hour drive south through to one of Morocco ’s longest and most beautiful, refreshing valleys - the Ourika Valley - teeming with lush vegetation, palmeraies and Berber hamlets. Some 33km from Marrakech, this valley really starts at a small Berber village of Dar Caïd Ouriki , with its kasbah and mosque. We reach the Berber village of Tiguemi n’Oumzilet Tnine around 9:30 , here to leave our vehicle, adjust day packs, put on sunblock and take the opportunity of photographing the start of our hike. We cross the Oued (Arabic) Assif (Berber) Ourika on through the midst of olive groves and up to the ochre-red village of Akhlij , to continue on along a narrow winding hillside path via the hamlet of Tafza (1150m).

On now along the winding hillside path surrounded by fields of corn against a backdrop of the Adrar n’Bou Tazete (3050m) towards the berber hamlets of Amghliz, Azrou (“rock”) Malout, Anins and Taourirt giving us a panoramic view of stark, looming mountains and verdant valleys dotted with hamlets, villages and their terraced, irrigated fields. Anywhere en route we may stop to take a traditional glass of mint tea with one of the villagers and to watch how these hardy people make their own pottery, whose centuries-old method is a delight to see. From here we amble down across the river at Aghbalou where, at around midday , we shall stop for our picnicby the river’s bank – an opportunity, in season, to get delightfully wet. We shall also have seen the Berber womenfolk in their simple mud-brick (pisé) homes weaving their colourful, intricately-designed carpets.

Our gentle hike this afternoon is made by setting out from Aghbalouto rejoin our vehicle which takes us through this beautiful valley on to the riverside hamlet of Setti Fadma (1740m) with its groves of ancient walnut trees in the rocky foothills and startling backdrop of the High Atlas Mountains. A brief pause before setting out now on a one hour’s hike up some 300 metres through a tight, verdant valley to the Cascades of Setti Fadma, having, perchance, had the sighting of resident gregarious Barbary Ape (Macaca Sylvanus), a tail-less macaque which, despite its name, is a true monkey and not an ape, the same macaque as is found on Gibraltar. From here, it’s back down for 45 minutes to our awaiting vehicle at Setti Fadma where, at around 5pm , we return back along the valley to Marrakech, arriving about 6.15 in the evening.

Cost for this tour:

- please call or email for a full quote - all our holidays are tailor-made and the cost of each trek is based upon the following:

* the number of people in your group (some hikes available for single travellers, one person FREE for groups of 10 or more);

* where you are starting from and to where you wish to travel at the end the hike;

* whether you are including any additional accommodation (e.g. in Imlil or Marrakech)

* extras such as WC tent or refuge accommodation, etc.

Experienced, licensed, bi-lingual mountain guide throughout. Round trip transportation Marrakech - Imlil / Aguensiouâl - Marrakech. Picnic lunch.

Picnic lunch - fresh Moroccan salad, cheese, tinned tuna fish*, bread, fruit. * If vegetarian or vegan, please pre-advise.

Personal medical or accident insurance. Any expenditure of a personal nature. Bottled or gaseous water, nor anything not specifically mentioned in the itinerary.

Walking boots or stout shoes suitable for walking, rambler pole (optional), Hat, sunscreen, nibbles, hygienic wipes, filled water bottle(s).

NB: all our prices are for land arrangements only (starting and finishing in Marrakech), please contact us to arrange accommodation in Marrakech (hotels or riads) as well as flights from your preferred airport if required.