Thin streams of a waterfall at Akchour falling over a mossy limestone cliff into a turquoise pool, two hikers with backpacks standing among white boulders

Talassemtane National Park · Chefchaouen, Morocco

Akchour Waterfalls

A river gorge in the Rif mountains where one trail climbs past turquoise pools to the Grand Cascade and another leads to God's Bridge, a natural rock arch.

See the tours

The Akchour Waterfalls are a chain of cascades and pools on a river in Talassemtane National Park, about 30 km from Chefchaouen in northern Morocco. Two trails start at the village of Akchour: one follows the river upstream to the Grand Cascade, the other branches off to God's Bridge.

There is no ticket office or set route. Visitors walk the trails on their own, stop at riverside cafés along the way and, in summer, swim in the pools.

Location
Rif mountains, near Chefchaouen, Morocco
National park
Talassemtane, created in 2004
Park area
589.5 km²
UNESCO
On the Tentative List since 1998
Wildlife
Barbary macaques live in the park

Sights along the Akchour Waterfalls trails

01

God's Bridge

A natural rock arch high over the river, about 45 minutes from the dam on the right-hand trail, with a pool beneath it.

02

The small waterfall

About an hour from the dam on the left-hand trail: the shorter goal if you have half a day.

03

Grand Cascade

The big waterfall at the end of the left-hand trail, about two hours from the dam.

04

River pools

Clear, cold pools along both trails, where many visitors swim on hot days.

05

Riverside cafés

Stalls along the way serve tagine, mint tea and fresh orange juice, with tables by the water.

Best time to visit the Akchour Waterfalls

Spring (March to May): the falls carry the most water and the days are mild, the best season for the Grand Cascade.

Summer: warm enough to swim, but the trails are busiest, especially at weekends. By August the Grand Cascade can run dry while the lower falls still flow.

Autumn and winter: autumn rains fill the falls again, but days are cool and the paths get slippery. Skip the trip during or just after heavy rain, when the river crossings can become impassable.

Akchour Waterfalls tours

Local operators run day trips to Akchour from Chefchaouen and Tangier, with transport and a guide who knows the trails. None of them includes lunch: bring cash for the riverside cafés.

Prices are per person for two adults; they change with the date and the size of your group.

Two hikers sitting on a boulder beside a waterfall that pours from a mossy limestone ledge into a turquoise pool at Akchour Pick your route

Waterfalls or God's Bridge, your choice

On arrival the group picks one of three hikes: the big waterfalls (about 5 hours), or God's Bridge from above or along the river with the small waterfalls (3 to 3.5 hours).

Start
Bab Souk, Chefchaouen
Length
7 hours
Group
Up to 10, or private
  • Transport from Chefchaouen and back
  • Local guide

from €47

See the tour
A tall thin waterfall dropping from a tufa-hung cliff into a green pool in dense forest, hikers resting on rocks at the water's edge Grand Cascade

Full day to the Grand Cascade

Past the small waterfall to the high one, with a tagine by the falls and a swim on the way back. A private 8-hour option adds God's Bridge.

Start
Plaza Ronda, Chefchaouen
Length
7 to 8 hours
Group
Small group or private
  • Transport from Chefchaouen and back
  • Local guide
  • Mint tea

from €47

See the tour
A woman wading into a turquoise pool below a wide waterfall in a gorge at Akchour, a man sitting on a rustic café terrace on the rocks God's Bridge

Hike to God's Bridge

Up the Farda gorge past springs and river crossings to God's Bridge, with a swim under the arch and an orange juice break.

Start
Bab Souk, Chefchaouen
Length
6 hours
Group
2 to 10 people
  • Transport from Chefchaouen and back
  • Guide
  • Audio guide in English

from €57

See the tour
Two tourists walking towards a riverside café with blue chairs beside a low cascade on the river at Akchour From Tangier

Chefchaouen and Akchour from Tangier

A guided walk and free time in Chefchaouen's blue medina, then about two hours at Akchour with an easy walk to the small waterfalls.

Start
Hotel pickup in Tangier
Length
11.5 hours
Group
Up to 17, or private
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Guides in Chefchaouen and Akchour
  • Bottled water

from €65

See the tour
Two riders in helmets with black quad bikes on a dirt overlook above a green valley and an orange limestone cliff in the Rif mountains By quad

Quad ride to Akchour

A safety briefing, then a guided quad ride from Chefchaouen over mountain tracks to the Akchour waterfall, with photo stops on the way.

Start
Hotel pickup in Chefchaouen
Length
3 hours
Rides
9:00, 13:00 or 17:00
Drivers
16 and over
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Helmet, goggles and gloves
  • Tea break

from €75

See the tour

Where the Akchour Waterfalls are

Akchour is about 45 minutes by road from Chefchaouen, reached by shared grand taxi, private taxi or car. Both trails start at the village car park.

Getting there
Address
Akchour, Talassemtane National Park, Chefchaouen Province, Morocco

Akchour Waterfalls: questions

Is there an entrance fee for the Akchour Waterfalls?
No, the trails are free to walk; only drivers pay a small fee at the car park. Bring cash for taxis and cafés, as there is no ATM in Akchour.
How long is the Akchour hike?
The Grand Cascade is about 2 hours each way from the dam, so with breaks and a swim it takes most of a day. God's Bridge is about 45 minutes each way, an easy half day.
Can you swim at Akchour?
Yes, many visitors swim in the pools in summer. The water is cold even then, the current is strong near the falls and there are no lifeguards, so do not jump from the rocks.
Do I need a guide for the Akchour Waterfalls?
If you come on your own, you can go without one: the paths are clear and easy to follow, and most visitors walk them unguided. Local guides wait at the car park if you want one. Day tours usually include a guide.
What should I wear and bring?
Sturdy shoes rather than sandals, as the God's Bridge trail crosses the river over loose, slippery rock. Carry 1–2 litres of water each, swimwear in summer and a rain jacket in autumn and winter.