A day in the nature at Ourika, near Marrakech

Hello to all my friends in the Hive community,

Today I'd like to share with you a trip I recently took not far from Marrakech. A day in the heart of nature, surrounded by greenery, mountains and a cool river.... I had a really peaceful time in the Ourika valley! One of the most visited natural destinations around Marrakech. Located around 35 to 45 km south-east of Marrakech (around 1 hour's drive, depending on traffic), this verdant valley is crossed by the Ourika river, offering a landscape of mountains, waterfalls, small Berber villages...

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As soon as you leave Marrakech in the direction of Ourika, you immediately feel the air change. You quickly move from the urban pace to a gentler, calmer and cooler atmosphere. The road becomes greener and greener, and in the distance you can see the Atlas Mountains waiting for you, covered in vegetation and sometimes sprinkled with snow, even in early spring. What I loved was all the little stalls set up along the roadside. They're everywhere! Handicrafts, honey, nuts, pottery, argan oil, saffron, and even carpets hanging from trees like works of art... I took my time on the way, making a few stops to chat, look at the products, smell the spices... it's already a journey in itself even before arriving in Ourika.

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When I arrived in Ourika, I was greeted by the peaceful sound of the river. The water flows gently between the rocks, and small wooden bridges allow you to cross from one side to the other. It's a really pleasant place to be. There were mats set up along the water's edge, tables all over the place, people sitting there quietly, enjoying the shade of the trees and the coolness of the river. If it wasn't the month of Ramadan I'd have ordered a good meat and vegetable tagine, which I made last year and which is really delicious. The warm bread, the mint tea, the sound of the water, the families laughing, the children playing... everything exuded simplicity and happiness.

And then, a completely unexpected moment: a little monkey came out of the nearby forest. Quietly, fearlessly, it came to the river. He stopped as if he wanted to take a break too. I managed to take a photo, he was really so funny, a real curiosity! It made everyone around him smile. It's the kind of unexpected little scene that makes the day even more lively.

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After this great time by the water, I decided to climb a little higher to see the famous Ourika waterfalls. It's quite a climb, and sometimes the paths are narrow and a bit slippery. But frankly, it's worth it. At every bend, you discover a new panorama, a different view of the valley, hidden spots of water, wild flowers, trees...

Almost at the top, I was starting to feel a bit tired. I came across a small traditional café, really simple, with wooden tables. I sat down and watched the waterfalls tumbling down the rocks below. This moment of rest, with the sound of the water and the view opposite... it was perfect.

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On the way back down, I took a slightly different route, quieter, but still full of surprises. There was a whole series of small stalls selling handicrafts. Handmade jewellery, pottery, baskets, scarves, spices, natural oils... One woman explained to me how she picks the ingredients herself, how she mixes them, dries them... You could feel the passion in her words.

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In the late afternoon, I took the road back. But I was in no hurry. I made several stops just to admire the scenery. There was this serenity in the air... a kind of deep calm. Once again, the roadside stalls were there, always lively, always colourful. It was as if nature and culture were blending perfectly, and Moroccan handicrafts were an integral part of the landscape.

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It really was a day full of beauty! I hope that my words and photos have taken you on a little journey, and that they might inspire you to go there too one day. Thank you for taking the time to read me. It's always a pleasure to share these moments with you here on Hive. See you soon for another post, another outing, another walk, another visit ....

Take care of yourselves,

I'm Redwan from Morocco ! I've always had a passion for travelling and discovery. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than exploring new places, whether historical, archaeological or in the heart of nature. Through my blogs, you can discover the hidden gems of Morocco, whether you want to admire the fascinating architecture of a historic site, delve into the legends surrounding an archaeological site, or simply marvel at the beauty of Moroccan nature!

I took all the photos with my own Redmi Note 11 smartphone, and edited them on canva !