Paradise Valley by car: a day trip from Agadir

From Agadir

≈ 40 km · 1 h

From Taghazout or Tamraght

≈ 45 min

Road

Paved all the way, narrow and winding after Aourir

Car needed

Any car. No 4x4 needed

Walk to the pools

20 to 30 min each way, on rocky paths

Best months

February to May, after the winter rain

Bring

Water, shoes with grip, cash for parking and cafés

1. 1

   Agadir to Aourir

   Take the coast road north out of Agadir, past the port and Anza, to Aourir, the village known as Banana Village for its roadside banana stalls.

2. 2

   Turn inland at Aourir

   In Aourir, turn right onto the road signed for Imouzzer. It follows the Tamraght river into the hills.

3. 3

   Climb into the gorge

   The valley narrows and the road starts to twist. Cafés and parking areas mark the start of the walking paths down to the pools.

Staying on the coast? The turn-off at Aourir is a few minutes from Tamraght and about 15 minutes from Taghazout, which makes this the easiest mountain trip from either village. See car hire in Tamraght and car hire in Taghazout.

The road is tarmac the whole way, but it is narrow, has few barriers and climbs through many tight bends. Minibuses and local taxis drive it fast and often in the middle. None of this is difficult if you keep your speed down.

• Keep to the right on blind bends and be ready to stop.
• Use a low gear on the way down rather than riding the brakes.
• Pull over where it is wide to let faster traffic pass.
• Watch for goats, donkeys and children near the villages.
• Never stop or park on a bend, even for a photo.

Parking is informal: cafés and local families run small car parks along the road and charge a few dirhams. Pay the attendant, note where you left the car, and keep valuables out of sight.

Paths lead down to the river from the parking areas. The best known pools are a 20 to 30 minute walk away over smooth rock that is slippery when wet. Locals jump into the deeper pools from the rocks; check the depth yourself before you follow.

Spring is the best time: the pools are full after the winter rain and the hills are green. In summer the water is warm but lower, and weekends are busy with families from Agadir. By late summer and autumn some pools can be low.

Whatever the season, leave early. Arriving before 10 o'clock means cooler walking, easy parking and the pools to yourself for an hour. Plan to be back on the coast road before dark.

Have lunch at one of the cafés above the river; tagine and fresh orange juice are on every menu. If you still have time, continue up the same road to Imouzzer Ida Outanane, a mountain village known for its honey. Its waterfall only flows after a wet winter, but the drive through argan and almond country is worth it on its own.

Back on the coast, stop at the stalls in Aourir for bananas, or catch the sunset over the surf in Tamraght. More ideas for days out in our list of road trips from Agadir.