Ourika Valley near Marrakech
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With the snow capped Atlas Mountains sitting pretty on its horizons Marrakech has more to offer than the just charms of Medina.
In sharp contrast to Marrakech’s desert landscape, the High Atlas is a region of lush valleys, gorges and some of the highest mountains in Morocco. Making it a favourite with trekkers, quad bilkers and skiers alike. And being just 30 kms from the city also makes the mountains a great getaway when the Medina gets too manic.
So if you are not into serious sport and just want a brief respite from the heat and the crowds of Marrakech, do what the locals do; escape for the day to the Ourika Valley. Spread out between the foothills of the Western Atlas Mountains, Ourika Valley is the traditional home of the Berber people. The Ourika River flows down from here feeding the valley’s many orange orchards, olive groves and cultivated terraces.
You can take organised tours or private taxis both of which will take you to Setti Fetima, the first village at the end of the proper motor road. From here you can head off for a gentle walk in the valley or trek up to the seven waterfalls. Local guides are more than willing to show you around for a small price. As elsewhere in Marrakech arriving at the right price requires some haggling but once you’ve secured a guide he will cheerfully lead the way. Our guide even carried our four year old on his back when the climb got tricky. Sensible shoes are essential, as the rocks can get very slippery.
Later you can enjoy a guided visit of a herb garden where you are served traditional mint tea by the local people, shop for artefacts, look into a typical Berber house or visit a co-operative where women make products from Argan oil. On the way back stop at one of the several resorts en route for a late lunch.
We were recommended the Bab Ourika Kasbah on the top a plateau at the entrance of the Valley. Though it was a nerve racking drive up a steep dirt track to get to the Kasbah it turned out to be one of the highlights of our stay in Marrakech. Definitely the best meal of the week with the most magnificent views of the valley below and snow covered peaks of High Atlas in the distance.
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