Lalla Takerkoust Lake: kayaking, lakeside lunch and Atlas views

Lalla Takerkoust Lake is a reservoir about 7 km long, some forty kilometres southwest of Marrakech, at the foot of the High Atlas and not far from the Agafay desert. It was created by the dam built between 1929 and 1935 on the N'Fis river to irrigate the Haouz plain and generate electricity. It takes its name from a holy woman, Lalla Takerkoust, whose shrine was submerged by the water. Lakeside restaurants, water sports and peaks that are sometimes snow-capped on the horizon make it a half-day or full-day outing from the city.

Highlights

The view of the Atlas

On clear days, the ridges of the High Atlas stand out behind the turquoise water and the hills. In winter and early spring the peaks are often covered in snow, giving the landscape the look of a mountain lake.

The shores and water sports

The gently sloping banks, planted with eucalyptus, are good for walks and picnics. Operators on the shore rent out kayaks, pedal boats and paddleboards, and offer jet skiing, donkey or camel rides and quad-bike outings.

The dam and the village

The dam wall towers over the village of Lalla Takerkoust, at the northern end of the lake. Raised by 9 metres in the late 1970s, it still supplies irrigation for the Haouz plain and a small hydroelectric plant.

Nearby

Agafay Desert: the stone desert near Marrakech The Agafay Desert is a semi-arid expanse of stony hills in ochre and beige tones, about... 150 min à pied

Oasiria: Marrakech's water park, prices and shuttle At kilometre 4 on the Amizmiz road, about 5 km south-west of the medina, Oasiria is... 346 min à pied

Anima Garden On the Ourika road, some thirty kilometres from Marrakech, the Anima garden was... 372 min à pied

Menara Gardens: the basin, the pavilion and the olive groves West of Marrakech, on the road to the airport, the Menara Gardens form a vast olive... 384 min à pied