Setti Fatma waterfalls: how the walk to the seven cascades works

Where the walk starts

The walk starts in Setti Fatma, a village at about 1,500 m that Wikipedia describes as the last reachable by paved road. The path follows a mountain torrent. One day-trip listing says the first waterfall sits about 200 m higher than the village, and that the route has wooden bridges without railings.

How long to the first waterfall

The spread comes from pace, stops, crowds and whether the time is one way or a round trip. Plan about 1.5 to 2 hours in total with rests.

The upper waterfalls (2 to 7)

Above the first waterfall the walk changes. One guide describes no marked path, loose rock, exposed ledges and fixed ropes of variable condition, with sections along the streambed. Another mentions a small path towards the woods that takes about 2.5 hours, without saying where the time starts.

A common day-trip listing does not include the climb to waterfalls 2 to 7. If you want it, ask the operator in advance or hire a guide in the village, and decide on the day depending on the water level and your fitness.

Guides and small costs

• One source says guides are optional for the lower falls but recommended for the upper route, and to hire them from the official guides office in the village (look for ID badges), not at the entrance.
• The same source gives about 100–200 MAD per group for a guide, agreed before you start. It also lists entry as free, parking about 10–20 MAD and a donkey ride on the lower path about 50–150 MAD.
• These are one source’s figures and may be out of date. Confirm on arrival.

What to wear and bring

• Closed shoes with grip. Wet rock is slippery, and trekking poles can help on the way down.
• Water: there is none on the upper trail.
• A layer, a hat and sun protection. Swimwear if you plan to cool off.
• Some cash for the village, cafés and a guide.

When the river is high

The spray at the first cascade is strong when the water is high, and storms at altitude can raise the river quickly. Do not go on if the river is rising or after heavy rain. Our safety guide explains what happened in past floods.

Frequently asked questions