The Walk Down to the Ouzoud Waterfalls: Steps, Boat and Shoes

At Ouzoud you see the falls from above first, then walk down through olive trees to the river at their foot, take the boat if it is running, and climb back up. The climb is the hard part: hundreds of uneven steps, with no published count. If you want a local guide to lead the way down and the boat ride booked in advance, take Option 1 on Ando Travel Ltd’s Marrakech: Ouzoud Falls Guided Hike, Boat Ride and Lunch: US$23.03 a person on 27 November 2026, US$25.90 on 20 January and US$28.78 on 10 March 2027 (checked November 2026). The calendar’s from-price, US$17 on promotion, usually US$21, checked November 2026, is the self-guided option without them.

Option 1 is the guide and the boat; Option 3 adds lunch. The day is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with altitude sickness or people with a low level of fitness. Free cancellation until 24 hours before.

The path down

The parking by Ouzoud village sits above the falls, 0.16 km from them in a straight line. From the top, several paths and flights of steps lead down to the river. The map shows how many there are; which one you take depends on your guide or on you. Most of the day trips describe the same walk: through olive groves, past viewpoints over the falls, and down to the pool at their foot.

On the way there are cafés, stalls and, on some tours, an argan co-operative. A reviewer of Ando Travel Ltd’s day, writing in Italian on 30 October 2026, wondered why the guide took a dirt path when a paved one was also there, and suspected the reason was a cosmetics seller on the way. A reviewer writing in English on 3 November 2026 found kiosks selling bottled water on the way down and back up.

The climb back up

There is no published step count. Two reviewers of Ando Travel Ltd’s day counted for themselves: “around 765 steps” on the way back up (25 October 2026, writing in English), and exactly 620, with a note that the paths differ (1 November 2026, writing in French). The second found it doable at your own pace; the first warned that the trip may not be for you if you are not reasonably fit.

A reviewer on 3 November 2026 wrote that the walk down and back up was taxing for a 70-year-old’s knees, with many uneven steps. On GMG - PDL Excursions' day the hike is described as moderately challenging, and anyone who would rather not walk can wait at a restaurant by the falls.

The boat ride

The boats work the pool at the foot of the falls. On Ando Travel Ltd’s day it is a short ride; GMG - PDL Excursions’ itinerary allows 20 minutes for it, and a reviewer of Click Excursions’ day put it at five minutes (18 October 2026). The boat ride is weather-dependent: in heavy rain or when the water flow is too strong it can be suspended by the local authorities or the boat operators, and on Ando Travel Ltd’s day a ride that did not happen is refunded at EUR 2 a person.

Reviewers disagree on whether you get wet. One writing in Italian on 24 October 2026 said to expect wet clothes and hair close to the falls and to bring a light rain jacket; another, also in Italian, on RED CITY TRANS's day on 14 October 2026, said you do not get wet at all.

What to wear and bring

• Shoes. Closed walking shoes with grip; the paths and steps are uneven and can be wet or muddy.
• Sun. A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are on Ando Travel Ltd’s list of things to bring, with comfortable shoes and clothes.
• Water and cash. Water is sold on the way, and the guide, the boat and lunch are often paid in cash when your option does not include them. What you pay on the spot has the figures.
• A light jacket. For the spray near the falls; the national tourist office describes winter evenings in the region as cool.
• No pushchairs. Baby strollers are not allowed on Click Excursions' day.

Who should think twice

The walk rules some people out. Ando Travel Ltd’s day is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with a low level of fitness; Trip Spirit SARL AU's is not for people with reduced mobility or aged 70 and above; RED CITY TRANS's not for wheelchair users, people with a low fitness level or people over 70. If you are fit for it but unsure of the way, a guided option means someone sets the pace and leads you down and back up.

Book the guided walk and the boat