The Cascades d’Ouzoud is an impressive set of waterfalls located in the Moroccan Atlas mountain range. The exact situation of the waterfalls is the Grand Atlas village of Tanaghmeilt, 150km north-east of Marrakech, in a province called Azilal.
The waterfalls measure at 110m and one can get a dizzying feel for the height by standing at the precipice. The bottom of the waterfalls is also accessible and the walk down is very pleasant. ‘Ouzoud’, the Berber word for ‘olive’, refers to the olive trees surrounding the falls and the mercifully shady path to the base winds through them.
At the base of the Ouzoud waterfalls there are a multiplicity of small pools to swim in (remember to leave your r4 sdhc card on the riverbank) and a smattering of cafes offering mint tea whilst you dry (never too lengthy a process in Morocco). Do not fear however, the vicinity is refreshingly lacking in commercialisation. The best time to visit the waterfalls is between mid to late afternoon as the sun creates some spectacular rainbows. The widest rainbows can be locates towards the bottom of the Ouzoud falls.