Akchour, Morocco: Transport, Hikes, and Local Tips

Akchour, Morocco, a little town nestled in Talassemtane National Park, is one of the country’s true gems. When I lived in Chefchaouen, it was the ideal place to beat the heat. Teeming with rushing waterfalls, glimmering natural pools, and plenty of trails to stretch the legs, it’s an oasis in Northern Morocco and shouldn’t be missed.

Only 45 minutes from the Blue Pearl, Akchour is easily accessible from Chefchaouen and makes for an incredible day (or half day) trip. Spend an afternoon hiking around, eating tajines with your feet in the water, and soaking in the sights of the mountainous landscape. Even after a dozen visits, Akchour retains its charm in my eyes and is one of the top places to visit in Morocco.

This article covers everything you need to know about visiting Akchour, including how to get there, hiking to the main attractions, and tips for making the most of your day, based on my personal experience.

How to Get to Akchour From Chefchaouen

The best way to get to Akchour from Chefchaouen is by shared taxi. The station is located next to the CTM bus on Avenue Maghreb Arabe. It will appear if you search ‘Grand Taxi Station’ on Google Maps. The fare is a flat rate of 25 dirhams, and you’ll share the ride with other travelers. When you arrive, tell the person in the vest that you’d like to go to Akchour, and he’ll point you to a specific taxi. You’ll wait for all of the seats in the taxi to fill up, then you’ll be off.

The ride is 45 minutes, and the scenery is breathtaking. Snag a window seat if possible, sit back, and enjoy the ride.

You’ll arrive slightly outside of Akchour’s town, so simply walk downhill (follow the crowds). Then, you’ll come to a collection of elevated restaurants on your right, and small eateries nestled in the bush on your left. Continue on, and you’ll eventually come to the Akchour dam, where the walks begin.

To get from Akchour to Chefchaouen, return to where you were dropped off and tell the person in the vest where you’re going. It’s the same deal, price and all. Once the taxi is full, you’ll take off.

Important Note: Plan to return with enough time to catch a taxi home. We once stayed a little past sunset and had to wait over an hour for a ride back (which was precarious, to say the least). Plus, the mountain roads are sketchy after dark, so it’s wise to return on the early side.

You can also drive to Akchour in a rental car or hike the 20ish kilometers from Chefchaouen through the mountains. I know people who have done it, and the walk is amazing, but not for the faint of heart.

Hiking to the Akchour Waterfalls

The Akchour waterfalls are the area’s main attractions, with dozens lining the path leading up to La Petite Cascade and after, La Grande Cascade.

At the dam, the path forks. Take the path on the left (if you’re facing the dam), cross the bridge, and follow it up and around the river. It turns rocky fast; however, the path is pretty well maintained all the way. You can also take the right fork and cross the river before the path goes uphill to link up with the waterfall track.

It’s an hour to the small waterfall and then another hour to the large one at the end of the track, so two hours of hiking in total. It can definitely be done faster if you’re quick on your feet. It’s an easy walk that’s well marked. You can’t get lost, and plenty of people are around to point you in the right direction if needed.

When you start to overheat, hop in the water to cool down, or chill out riverside and have a fresh orange juice or mint tea. There are a few places to eat along the way, but if you can hold out, the guy making tajines at La Petite Cascade is a true master. There’s usually chicken and veggie (if he hasn’t sold out), with the generously seasoned contents forming a satisfying crust on the bottom of the pan. My mouth is watering while I write this just thinking about it — always one of my favorite meals throughout my extensive time in Morocco, and it’s found nestled deep in the mountains of Akchour.

Tip: A little set of stairs takes you to a small cave directly in front of the waterfall. Snag the table and you’ll have your tajine with a front row view.

The second part of the walk is a bit less interesting regarding the landscape since you’re traveling further inland, but the end is worth the effort. The final waterfall, La Grande Cascade, is massive, and it’s quite a sight to see all the plastic tables and chairs set up around to have a snack while you enjoy the views.

What to Know About Akchour Waterfalls

Here are some final things to know about visiting the Akchour waterfalls.

• Prepare for crowds in the summer. Akchour is a huge hotspot for northern Morocco when it’s hot out. Don’t be surprised if it’s packed with people if you visit in peak season.
• If it hasn’t rained a lot, the Grande Cascade won’t be so… grand. The first time I visited, it was barely a dribble (as you can see in the photo above), but the scenery was still impressive. When you visit ask locals what it looks like before committing to the full walk.
• Plan enough time for the walk back. I can’t emphasize this enough… unless you’d prefer to spend a night in the mountains or an unsavory late night ride home.

God’s Bridge Hike

While most people make a beeline for the Akchour waterfalls, God’s Bridge, a 30 meter natural land arc, is another astounding sight and worth the walk. It tends to be less crowded, and the hike itself is charming, with bridge crossings and cafe terraces set up in the middle of the shallow river. I actually prefer the God’s Bridge trails and the quieter side of Akchour. It has a different feeling than the waterfall tracks, with a tremendous amount of natural beauty.

You can either walk to the bottom of God’s Bridge or climb to the top via two separate tracks.

God’s Bridge River Track

To get to God’s Bridge along the river, take the path on the right of the dam. The walk is about 45 minutes and will begin to climb slightly from the beginning before dropping back down to the river. It’s easy enough but slightly more challenging than the waterfall hikes.

You’ll follow the river for most of the walk, and if it’s rained a lot, you may end up walking in some water and balancing on rocks. When I went in the wet season (between October and April), there were plenty of broken wooden bridges, which meant wading through icy water. This is why it’s important to take the seasons into account when visiting Akchour since a normally easy hike can turn into a frigid, soggy adventure. The summer lends simpler conditions since the river level is much lower, but in my opinion, the best time to visit Chefchaouen and Akchour is between March and June

There are a lot of small places to stop on the way for a tajine or a drink. You’ll find tables set up on top of small waterfalls so you can dine with your feet in the emerald pools, which only adds charm to the wondrous atmosphere.

After climbing a final hill, you’ll arrive at the base majestic wonder. If you’ve packed your bathing suit, jump in for a dip in the water under it, or grab a fresh orange juice and enjoy the view. To get back to Akchour, return the way you came.

God’s Bridge Inland Track

Alternatively, if you’re in for a trek, take the upper God’s Bridge path, which climbs through vegetation and spits you out on top of the arch for a totally different point of view.

The hike begins the same, but instead of following the path back down to the river, continue on the uphill path. You’ll walk for about 40 minutes with little peaks of the scenery, before arriving at a few spectacular viewpoints with sweeping vistas of the mountainous landscape. You’ll eventually reach the top of God’s Bridge. Continue walking, or turn back the way you came. It’s a bit more strenuous, but in a different way. Good hiking shoes are essential, as is plenty of water in the summer months.

Tips for Visiting Akchour, Morocco

Now that you know almost everything you need to know about visiting Akchour from Chefchaouen, here are some final tips to enjoy the area like a local.

• Come hungry! The food in Akchour is surprisingly good and cheap if you go to the right places. I’ve personally never eaten at any of the larger restaurants at the beginning of the town, but the tajines along the hiking trails are second to none. You’ll find them scattered throughout, so don’t feel like you need to stop at the first one you see. The tajines are made fresh, so you may need to wait a little while before digging in, but it’s melt in your mouth good — don’t forget to soak up the juices in the pan with some bread. Be sure to bring cash, because like most places in Morocco, cards aren’t accepted.

• The water looks the most beautiful when it’s hit with sunlight. Visit earlier in the day to take advantage of the best views because the sun disappears behind the mountains long before sunset.

• Wear appropriate hiking shoes. Sneakers with decent traction will cut it for most people, but light hiking boots or shoes are nice to have, especially since the trail can be slippery and there may be some water involved.

• Pack a bathing suit and a towel if you’re visiting in warm weather. There’s nothing as refreshing as a dip in one of the tantalizing pools. With this in mind, there are no changing areas, so you may want to wear your suit under your clothes.

• Be respectful of the locals — this includes proper dress. Remember that you’re still in Morocco, despite being in the mountains. I normally wore leggings with a (very) long t-shirt, or lightweight pants. On the topic of proper dress, it pays to bring layers. Since it’s the mountains, conditions can change quickly, and it gets pretty cool when there’s no sun.

• Watch out for monkeys. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot a few along the way, especially if there aren’t a lot of people around. One time, I spent hours watching a huge family with kids playing along the river and it was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. That’s one of the perks of visiting during the off season.

• Leave in time to catch a taxi. If you take one thing away from this guide, please let it be making it to the taxi stand early enough!

More Photos of Akchour, Morocco

Here are some final photos of Akchour, Morocco… although no pictures can capture the beauty of this place.

Final Thoughts About Akchour, Morocco

Akchour shows an entirely different side of Morocco than you get in the crowded souks and bustling medinas. The Atlas range gets all the hype, but Akchour offers the ultimate city break and is extremely easy to reach from Chefchaouen, making it a convenient way to breathe mountain air, stretch your legs, and get in a good swim. If you’re in northern Morocco for any amount of time, I highly recommend a stop in Akchour.

FAQs About Visiting Akchour

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