Akchour

The Akchour waterfall is undoubtedly one of Chefchaouen’s hidden gems. The hike along the river with numerous small waterfalls through the lush green forest is like something out of a fairy tale. It is one of the most popular hikes around Chefchaouen.

Surrounded by the majestic Rif Mountains, you will pass rocks and tree stumps covered in green moss, transforming into a thick, untamed jungle, with birdsong and water flowing in small waterfalls along the valley floor.

Hike around the Akchour waterfall

The hike to the Akchour waterfall is not particularly demanding, although the trek does include a few steep sections. The trail is 5.5 km each way and takes about 3 to 4 hours depending on how many stops you make along the way.

There are many small areas with chairs where you can rest and buy a cold drink chilled in the cool river water. If you are hungry, there are small open-air restaurants nearby where you can enjoy a local tagine.

If you are staying close to Akchour, in a nearby hotel, access to the waterfalls is not very complicated. Your hotel managers will be able to show you the way. However, if you are coming from Chefchaouen, you must first reach the starting point towards Akchour. When you arrive at the car park at the start of the trail, you will pass a few restaurants and souvenir stalls along the river.

At the starting point, you can either walk straight ahead on the same side of the river or cross a bridge to the other side of the river. The latter will take you to the Akchour waterfall.

The trail is well maintained and clearly marked so you won’t get lost. It crosses the river several times and in some places there are large cement blocks you can walk on. In some places there are wooden bridges you can cross.

Once you arrive at the Great Waterfall, be sure to follow the small path that goes around the right side of the pool to get behind the waterfall.

The Grand Cascade is well worth spending time at, just to enjoy the long, thin streams of water cascading rapidly into the pool below.

Explore Akchour with an experienced guide

GetYourGuide is an online activity booking platform offering a secure and reliable system for discovering verified guides and quality experiences. The platform makes it easy to book activities with transparent and competitive prices, while benefiting from optimal protection for your transactions.

Advantages of booking through GetYourGuide: The platform guarantees a hassle-free experience by verifying all guides and service providers. Reviews from other visitors allow you to select the highest-rated activities, while flexible cancellation policies help simplify your planning.

What you need to bring to make the most of your day at Akchour

Even though the hike is relatively easy and there are places to buy food and drinks along the way and at the end of the Great Waterfall, there are some things you should consider bringing.

Here are the essentials you should bring on your hike to Akchour Waterfall:

• Hiking boots or trainers
• Waterproof jacket if you are going in winter
• Swimsuit and towel in summer (if you want to cool off in the river on a hot day)
• Snacks: fruit, nuts, etc. (if you don’t want to buy anything along the way, it’s important to bring energy-boosting snacks)
• Water (at least 2 litres per person)
• Cash

Note that the coldest period is during the winter months, from December to February. Temperatures normally range between 6 and 17 degrees.

How to get to Akchour from Chefchaouen?

Akchour is a 45-minute drive from Chefchaouen. If you are travelling by car, there is a small car park on site that costs 10 dirhams. However, if you do not have a car, taxis are available.

The cheapest option is to take a shared taxi, known as a ‘Grand Taxi’. These have 4 to 6 seats and leave once the taxi is full. There is no fixed timetable for the ‘Grand Taxis’ to and from Akchour.

The taxi rank is located outside the medina of Chefchaouen. You can easily ask for directions to get there. Once at the rank, say you want to go to the Akchour waterfall and you will be directed to the Grand Taxi dedicated to that route.

Some pictures of Akchour