Atlas Mountains village beside Morocco's tallest cascades, with Berber lanes and waterfall viewpoints.
Cascades d'Ouzoud is a gorgeous small village around an hour/hour and a half taxi ride from Afourar (which is South-West of Beni Mellal). Ouzoud has become more of a touristy area, but it is still a wonderful place to experience a small(er) Berber village in the Atlas Mountains . Of course one of the main attractions here are the Cascades. The tallest in Morocco , you can either take in their stunning view from the top or at the very bottom. Although a “no-swimming” sign is highly visible for the tourists protection, you will be sure to see many of the locals swimming and enjoying themselves on the hot summers day.
Be prepared to walk up and down numerous steps, though, when hiking to the bottom of the Cascades. Although tiresome, it is highly worthwhile, and the walk will not seem to take as long because of the abundance of cafes and small shops on the way. One of the most enjoyable and relaxing experiences in Morocco can be sitting by the Cascades, taking in the sights and sounds, while drinking a café au lait at sunset.
Guide
Getting There
You will have to get on and off buses and taxis in order to make it to Ouzoud (although I guarantee it is worth the trip). It is optimal to have your own car, and drive yourself, but it is easy enough to reach this destination without. Unless you are already in the region, it is best to take a bus to Beni Mellal and then from there to Afourar. Afourar is a small town at the base of the mountains. It is a nice place to walk around, maybe visit a café or two, before taking a taxi up through the mountains until you reach Azizal (I believe that is the name of the small town…I will double check and update if not). From Azizal there is a taxi directly to Ouzoud. There is one larger (more expensive) hotel, named Hotel de France, but the name changes every so often. It is a nice hotel, but the one I would recommend is about a 2 minute walk down the trail to the Cascades. It has a beautiful outside café, plus a friendly staff.
Guide
Things to Do
Of course, while in Ouzoud, the best thing to do is simply enjoy the beautiful scenery. Not only can you swim near the Cascades, but a hike away you can wade or sit in a café by the river’s source. Until you have drunken water from the mountain, you have not tasted how fresh it can be.
Another favorite pastime is simply sitting in the numerous cafes that lead down to the Cascades. One that I highly recommend is a hotel/restaurant together. It is cheaper than the main tourist trap hotel you will see when first arriving, and truthfully a much better way to talk to the locals and enjoy the village. Great food and accommodating owners, plus perfect location.