The Ourika Valley at a glance
The Ourika Valley runs south of Marrakech into the High Atlas, along a river. The trip usually has two parts. The first is the drive up the valley to Setti Fatma, with restaurants along the road. The second is an optional walk from Setti Fatma along a rocky path to the waterfalls.
These are different services. A tour that drives you up the valley does not always include the waterfall walk, and the walk depends on the conditions on the day. Ask your provider which one you are booking.
The floods of October 2026: what happened and what to check
On 4 October 2026, the news site Le Site Info reported flash floods after thunderstorms the previous Friday, which was 2 October 2026. The report mentioned mud on paths, interrupted passages near the river and clearing works in progress.
A later report on 11 October 2026, based on a news agency item, described the reopening of affected roads in the province of Al Haouz. It does not say that every path is open. On 13 October 2026, a local operator in the valley stated that the road to Setti Fatma, the restaurants and the waterfall walk were available again.
Treat all of this as dated information. Conditions can change after the next storm, and no source guarantees that every waterfall or pool is safe today. Before you book or set out, ask your tour operator or a local contact for the current situation, and be ready to change the plan. After storms, the local operator decides each day whether the waterfall walk takes place.
Our picks: Ourika Valley
A guided waterfall day and a hiking day in the Atlas, both from Marrakech.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Atlas Mountains hiking day trip with lunch
Nine hours with hotel transfer, a guide, lunch, a camel ride and mint tea. Tips are not included.
Check availability →Ourika Valley and waterfalls with a local guide
Air-conditioned transfer from your riad or hotel, a driver, a local guide, the waterfall hike, tea in a Berber house and a stop at an argan cooperative. Lunch is only part of the second option.
Check availability →Ourika Valley tours from Marrakech
Day trips to the Ourika Valley and Setti Fatma, some with a waterfall walk, with live prices and availability.
Setti Fatma and the waterfall walk
Setti Fatma is the village at the head of the valley road. A local operator describes the path to the waterfalls as rocky. Wear shoes with grip, not sandals, and take water. If you hire a local guide, agree the price before you start.
Take care near water. British travel advice warns of flash floods in mountains and by rivers, and it warns that swimming in rivers and reservoirs can be dangerous. That is general advice, not a ban on all pools in Setti Fatma, but it is a reason to stay out of the water after rain and to follow your guide's advice.
How to plan the day
The valley is a day trip and does not need an overnight stay.
Booking
Ask whether the tour includes only the drive and lunch or also the waterfall walk, and how much time you will have at Setti Fatma. Ask for the pick-up time and the return time before you pay.
Weather
Look at the forecast for the mountains and not only for the city. Heavy rain in the mountains can raise the river even when Marrakech is dry. Our weather guide gives monthly city figures.
Getting there
Most visitors go with a tour or a hired driver from Marrakech. Agree the exact route and total time with your provider, because we cannot give a driving time that is fixed for every day.
What to bring
- Footwear: shoes with grip for wet, rocky ground.
- Water and snacks: take your own for the walk, even if there are restaurants in the village.
- Layers: the valley can be cooler than the city, and spray from the falls adds to that.
- Cash: small notes for tips, a guide and drinks.
- A dry bag or plastic bag: to protect your phone and documents near water.
Ourika or Imlil?
Both valleys are in the High Atlas and both work as a day trip. Ourika is a river valley with a road to Setti Fatma and a short walk to waterfalls. Imlil is the base for walks in the Toubkal area and is reached by a different road, as described on our Atlas Mountains page. If you only have one free day, ask providers what each trip includes and how much walking it involves. For more ideas, see Marrakech excursions.
Ourika Valley: frequently asked questions
Is the Ourika Valley open after the October 2026 floods?
A local operator reported on 13 October 2026 that the road to Setti Fatma, the restaurants and the waterfall walk were available again. Conditions can change, so ask your provider for the current situation before you go.
What happened in the Ourika Valley in October 2026?
Storms caused flash floods around 2 October 2026. A report from 4 October 2026 described mud on paths, interrupted passages near the river and clearing works.
Can I walk to the waterfalls at Setti Fatma?
Usually yes, on a rocky path, but after storms the local operator decides day by day whether the walk takes place.
Can I swim in the pools at Setti Fatma?
British travel advice warns that swimming in rivers and reservoirs can be dangerous, and flash floods are a risk in the mountains. Stay out of the water after rain and follow your guide's advice.
Do I need a tour?
No, but a tour or a driver takes care of the road and the timing. If you go on your own, check the road and the walk with a local contact first.
