Paradise Valley
Clear pools between granite walls, in the Atlas gorges, an hour inland.
Duration
4 hrs – 6 hrs
Difficulty
●●●○○
Best time
After the rains, February to May
Open
Every day
Entry price
Free
Paradise Valley is a granite gorge in the High Atlas, an hour from the coast, cut by the Tamraght river. The water forms a chain of clear pools between smooth walls, with palms at the canyon floor.
It was a stop on the hippie trail of the 1960s and 70s, hence the name. The flow depends entirely on the season: after the winter rains the pools are full and you swim; by late summer several are dry, and the trip is no longer worth it.
Getting there
An hour inland from Taghazout, up the Tamraght valley. A taxi negotiated as a return.
What to bring
- Walking shoes
- Wetsuit
- Windbreaker
- Swimsuit
Rules on site
By late summer the pools are often dry: ask about the water level before making the drive. The way down to them is over smooth, slippery rock, and jumping from the walls has caused serious injuries.