The Ourika Valley runs from the plains south of Marrakech up into the High Atlas, following the Oued Ourika river through a series of Berber villages, rose gardens, and market towns. It is the most accessible part of the High Atlas from Marrakech — the road south from the city reaches the village of Setti Fatma at the valley's head in under two hours. This makes it a popular day trip, though most visitors only scratch the surface.
The valley is famous for its roses: in May and June the hillsides above the lower valley are planted with vast quantities of the Damascus rose, harvested for rose water and essential oil. The town of Kelaat M'Gouna in the Dadès, further east, gets more attention for roses, but the Ourika valley produces significant quantities too and the harvest season transforms the landscape.
Setti Fatma at the valley head is the main destination for day-trippers, with a series of waterfalls a 30-minute walk up the riverbed above the village. The walk is pleasant but the falls themselves are modest; the bigger reward is leaving the main trail to explore the high grazing pastures above. The Tuesday souk at Asgaour lower in the valley is one of the more authentic weekly markets within easy reach of Marrakech.