Aug 28, 2025
Agadir to Marrakech, a secret itinerary.
Agadir → Paradise Valley → Imsouane → Amsittène Forest → Imindounit Gorge → Marrakech
(4–6 days, coast + Atlas, scenic roads, light hikes)
Day 1 — Agadir ➝ Paradise Valley (Imouzzer)
Leaving the busy coastal city of Agadir, the road bends inland, climbing slowly through valleys dotted with palm groves and silvery argan trees. Within just over an hour, the Atlantic air gives way to the warm scent of earth and stone: you’ve entered Paradise Valley.
Paradise Valley is more than a name. Natural pools shimmer between ochre cliffs, reflecting palm trees and sky. Trails lead to cascades in wetter months, while smooth rocks make perfect picnic spots. It’s best to come early before the crowds, carrying water shoes for slippery paths and enough time to just float or dip your feet into the clear water.
By evening, the valley quiets again. Small guesthouses and eco-lodges offer simple rooms and warm tagines. If you’re traveling by van, locals may allow you to park near cafés. As night falls, you’ll hear little but frogs and cicadas echoing across the gorge.
Day 2 — Paradise Valley ➝ Imsouane (coast)
From the mountains, the road curves back down toward the Atlantic. Passing Aourir and Tamraght, the smell of ocean returns. After 2–3 hours of winding drive, you reach Imsouane, a fishing village turned laid-back surf haven.
Here, days unfold slowly: paddling out at The Bay. This is one of the longest waves in Morocco. Imsouane Bay offers a right-hander that can extend over 500 metersriding long mellow waves that carry you almost endlessly to the shore. In the evening, head to Cathedral Point for a sunset where cliffs burn orange and fishermen return with their catch.
Dinner is best kept simple: fresh fish grilled on the quay, eaten with your hands as the tide rises. Nights can be spent in surf hostels overlooking the bay, in a cozy riad, or tucked in your van, lulled to sleep by the sound of waves.
⟢✦ Discover the vibe of Imsouane in this video.
Day 3 — Imsouane → Amsittène Forest → Imindounit Gorge
This day marks a shift from ocean to inland wilderness. Leaving Imsouane at dawn, you head east toward the Amsittène Forest. About 40 km inland from Essaouira, nestled in the southwestern foothills of the High Atlas, this massif feels worlds away from the coast.
The Amsittène Forest is a hidden ecological treasure. Here, argan trees spread their twisted branches wide, and towering thurya trees (a drought-tolerant conifer endemic to North Africa) perfume the air with a resinous scent. Local villagers still collect firewood, graze goats, and gather medicinal herbs among these slopes. Walking here feels like entering a living archive of tradition, ecology, and resilience.
Pause beneath the shade, listening to the wind through the trees and the bells of distant herds. If you’re lucky, you may meet families harvesting herbs and learn about their uses in traditional medicine.
By midday, continue your journey toward the mountains. After a fuel and food stop in Mejjat, the road narrows, climbing into the Imindounit Gorge. Few travelers make it here, but those who do discover a sanctuary of calm. Clear waters spill down from peaks, threading through winding valleys, creating hidden pools and a magical, untouched landscape.
Stay in small auberges scattered through the gorge, or if traveling with a van, ask locals for acceptable spots to overnight. With almost no light pollution, the sky becomes an infinite canopy of stars. Silence here is absolute,only broken by the rustle of wind and the flow of water.
Day 4 — Imindounit Gorge ➝ Marrakech
After a morning hike along the gorge and a final dip in mountain waters, the road to Marrakech takes just 2–3 hours. The change is dramatic: from quiet valleys to the vibrant energy of the red city.
Settle into a riad in the medina, where rooftop terraces provide both a view and a chance to rest. At dusk, step into the Jemaa el-Fna, a swirl of lanterns, storytellers, and spice smoke. Balance the chaos with moments of stillness: stroll into Le Jardin Secret, or wander the mosaicked halls of the Bahia Palace in early morning light.
For digital nomads, many riads and cafés now offer reliable Wi-Fi—perfect for mixing work and travel.
Optional Add-ons (1–2 days)
Agafay Desert: Swap the mountains for stony desert just outside Marrakech. Stay for a sunset dinner under the stars or even a night in a vintage van surrounded by silence.
Imlil, High Atlas: Only 40–90 minutes from Marrakech, this mountain base offers waterfalls, cedar shade, and welcoming Berber villages. A perfect place for day hikes or simply breathing mountain air.
Why this route?
This journey weaves together coast, forest, and mountains, offering an alternative way to cross Morocco from Agadir to Marrakech. Instead of a straight drive, you’ll discover hidden valleys, surf villages, ecological treasures, and remote gorges,a slow unfolding of landscapes that reveals the deep diversity of the country.
It’s not just about the road,it’s about the rhythm: salty air at dawn.
If you want to rent a car, here is a rental agency in Agadir or Marrakech.
