Ourika Valley and Setti Fatma

Ourika Valley and Setti Fatma

The Ourika Valley in the High Atlas starts under 1 hour's drive south east of Marrakech, and offers a pretty escape from the summer heat of the city. Rising to around 1,200-1,500 metres, this is an ideal area for gentle hiking and is also popular with both Moroccan and visiting artists.

Starting at Souk Tnine de L'Ourika where the largest souk in the valley is held every Monday, the mule tracks follow the line of the Oued Ourika (Ourika river), which is relatively benign in summer but can be dangerous and subject to flooding during winter. The landscape is very lush and local village houses are built from bricks made from the local rich red soils.

Near the head of the valley, surrounded by the peaks of the High Atlas, is Setti Fatma, a village which is popular with visitors and which has been largely rebuilt after being subject to severe flooding in 1995.  The village is a relatively quiet typical Berber village, well worth a wander around if time permits. A short walk and a bit of a scramble above the village are seven medium sized waterfalls; however, at times in the year these are inaccessible. If you visit the waterfalls take the time to return to the village via its twin Zaouia Mohammed. The small cafes at the bottom of the climb to the waterfalls offer great tagines.

Setti Fatma is also home to one of the major Moroccan festivals. The Moussem takes place in August and, although only Muslims can enter the Koubba, there is a large accompanying market and fair open to all.