The 10 best canyoning spots in Corsica

From the Aiguilles de Bavella to the Gorges du Tavignano, Corsica offers an exceptional diversity of canyons. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, with family or friends, there's always a canyon to suit your level. This guide presents the 10 best canyoning spots in Corsica, selected for the beauty of the scenery, the quality of the courses and the guaranteed thrills. Ready to discover Corsica differently?

Before you set off into the gorges of Corsica, a few practical points are essential. First of all, knowing how to swim is essential for all the canyoning activities presented in this article - even the most accessible routes. Secondly, don't worry: most canyons offer alternatives to the highest jumps, in the form of abseiling or negotiated footpaths. So you can enjoy the experience in complete safety, depending on your ability.

Finally, the choice of footwear is crucial. Opt for soles with good grip that offer excellent traction on wet rocks. Ankle support is just as important: avoid tennis shoes or flat-soled shoes, and opt for sturdy water trekking models. Some guides offer suitable footwear for hire - check in advance.

To find out more about canyoning, read our complete guide to canyoning.

1- Pulischellu Canyon at Bavella

CORSICA CANYON

Located in the heart of the Aiguilles de Bavella massif, the Pulischellu canyon is undoubtedly one of the most accessible and fun canyons in Corsica. After a short approach walk, you enter a dream setting: natural pools with turquoise waters, gentle waterfalls and rock formations polished by time. This route, ideal for first-time climbers, features a series of small jumps (all of which can be bypassed), natural slides and a few easy abseils.

Perfect for families and groups of friends, Pulischellu combines adventure and fun in an unforgettable setting.

• Approach walk: 30 minutes
• Length of descent: 2h30
• All jumps can be bypassed
• Highest abseil: 9 metres
• Return journey: 5 minutes
• Physical condition required: Occasional sportsman
• Minimum age: 8 years

2- Purcaraccia Canyon at Bavella

CORSICA CANYON

The Purcaraccia canyon is a Corsican canyoning legend. Perched between steep cliffs and crystal-clear pools, it offers a spectacular descent punctuated by long natural slides and two impressive abseils, one of which reaches 40 metres. It's an intense immersion in a wild environment, reserved for sports enthusiasts at ease with heights and swimming.

The scenery, between laricio pines and pink granite, is breathtaking. It's the perfect canyon for a memorable adventure in one of Corsica's most beautiful valleys.

• Approach walk: 1h30
• Duration of descent: 3 hours
• All jumps can be bypassed
• Highest abseil: 40 metres (two abseils are compulsory)
• Return walk: 30 to 45 minutes
• Physical condition required: Sporty
• Minimum age: 12

3- La Vacca Canyon at Bavella

CORSICA CANYON

The Vacca canyon is a real thrill for lovers of pure adventure. Deep and steep, this highly aquatic canyon plunges you into a mineral world of narrow walls. The course features a series of compulsory jumps, natural slides and abseils with no escape routes. The commitment is real, as is the feeling of freedom.

Reserved for the more adventurous, the Vacca canyon guarantees an adrenalin rush in one of Corsica's wildest sites.

• Approach walk: 45 minutes
• Duration of descent: 3 hours
• All the jumps can be bypassed, but only by abseiling.
• Highest abseil: 12 metres
• Return walk: 1h15
• Physical condition required: Sporty
• Minimum age: 12

4- Fiumicelli Canyon at Bavella

CORSICA CANYON

Fiumicelli is an enchanting little canyon, perfect for a first approach to canyoning with children. Accessible from the age of 5, the course offers an aquatic walk punctuated by water games, small slides and easy jumps. Nestling in a green setting with crystal-clear waters, the Fiumicelli canyon is great fun and particularly sunny in the morning.

This is the ultimate family activity in the Bavella region, ideal for a refreshing day in the heart of the mountains.

• Approach walk: 5 minutes
• Length of descent: 2h30
• Highest jump: 3 metres (can be bypassed)
• Highest recall: none
• Return walk: 20 minutes
• Physical condition required: Accessible to all
• Minimum age: 5 years

5- Richiusa Canyon at Bocognano

Canyon Corse

The Richiusa canyon is a must-see classic in Corse-du-Sud. Easily accessible from Ajaccio, this comprehensive course combines jumps, abseils, slides and even a zip line. There is a discovery version and a more challenging version (adding 45 minutes to the discovery descent), so there's something for everyone.

At the foot of the Migliarella massif, nature is unspoilt and there are plenty of water features. A balanced, fun and spectacular adventure to enjoy with family and friends.

The Richiusa Discovery :

• Approach walk: 45 minutes to 1 hour
• Duration of descent: 2 hours
• Highest jump: 7 metres (can be bypassed)
• Highest abseil: 10 metres
• Return walk: 20 minutes
• Physical condition required: Occasional sportsman
• Minimum age: 9 years

La Richiusa Sportive :

• Approach walk: 45 minutes to 1 hour
• Duration of the descent: 2h45
• Highest jump: 7 metres (can be bypassed)
• Highest abseil: 12 metres
• Return walk: 20 minutes
• Physical condition required: Sporty
• Minimum age: 12

6- Verghellu Canyon near Corte

Canyon Corse

Located between Venaco and Vivario, just 20 minutes' drive from Corte, the Verghellu canyon nestles in the Monte Rotondo massif nature reserve. This wild valley is a jewel of biodiversity, protected for its exceptional flora and natural harmony.

This canyon is ideal for beginners looking for a fun and refreshing adventure with family or friends.

• Approach walk: 20 minutes
• Duration of descent: 2 hours
• Highest jump: 8 metres (can be bypassed)
• Tyrolean traverse: 25 metres
• Return journey: 5 minutes
• Physical condition required: Occasional sportsman
• Minimum age: 10 years

7- Baracci Canyon near Propriano

Canyon Corse

Easily accessible, the Baracci canyon lies between Propriano and Sartène. It's an ideal route for a first experience of canyoning, with gentle progress through red granite gorges bathed in light. The obstacles are simple, the jumps low and there are no technical sections.

Perfect for families or groups of beginners who want to get a taste of canyoning in complete peace of mind.

• Approach walk: 5 minutes
• Duration of descent: 2 hours
• Highest jump: 6 metres (can be bypassed)
• Highest abseil: 10 metres
• Return walk: 20 minutes
• Physical condition required: Occasional sportsman
• Minimum age: 7 years

8- Zoicu Canyon at Soccia

Canyon Corse

The Zoicu canyon, nestling in the charming village of Soccia at an altitude of 1,000 m, is one of the most spectacular in Corsica. Situated close to Lake Creno, it offers a stunning natural setting: emerald pools, red granite walls and dense forests typical of Corsica's Regional Nature Park. The coolness of the altitude contrasts pleasantly with the heat of the coast, making Zoicu a perfect day trip from Ajaccio or Cargèse.

A must for those who want a complete canyoning experience, whatever their level, as it is available in a discovery or sports version.

Zoicu Family :

• Approach walk: 15 minutes
• Duration of descent: 2 hours
• Highest jump: 10 metres (can be bypassed)
• Highest recall: 3 metres
• Tyrolean traverse: 30 metres
• Return walk: 20 minutes
• Physical condition required: Occasional sportsman
• Minimum age: 7 years

Zoicu Sportif :

• Approach walk: 15 minutes
• Duration of the descent: 2h45
• Highest jump: 10 metres (can be bypassed)
• Highest abseil: 17 metres
• Tyrolean traverse: 30 metres
• Return walk: 20 minutes
• Physical condition required: Sporty
• Minimum age: 12
• This route includes a passage through a very narrow gorge

9- Canyon of the Vecchio near Corte

Canyon Corse

Located between the villages of Venaco and Vivario, in the heart of the Monte d'Oro massif (Haute-Corse), this canyon runs alongside the Vecchio river, famous for its majestic granite boulders and emerald waters - a real picture-postcard setting in the heart of Corsica's Regional Nature Park. The Vecchio canyon water ride is a gentle adventure, perfectly suited to families with children. It combines swimming in the river, small jumps, rock slides and exploration in a peaceful gorge.

The setting is wild and relaxing, extending over 3 to 6 hours of refreshing exploration, adaptable according to the mood of the group and punctuated by swimming breaks in natural emerald-green pools.

Petit Vecchio :

• Approach walk: 10 minutes
• Duration of descent: 2 hours
• Highest jump: 4 metres (can be bypassed)
• Highest recall: none
• Return walk: 20 minutes
• Physical condition required: Occasional sportsman
• Minimum age: 6 years

Grand Vecchio :

• Approach walk: 30 minutes
• Duration of descent: 3 to 4 hours
• Highest jump: 4 metres (can be bypassed)
• Highest recall: none
• Return walk: 1 hour
• Physical condition required: Occasional sportsman
• Minimum age: 12

10- Canyon of the Tavignano at Corte

Canyon Corse

Finally, for our last activity of the best canyoning spots in France, we stay close to Corte. The Tavignano canyon offers a full-day adventure in one of Corte's most beautiful natural spots. It's a challenging aquatic course, alternating between jumps, abseils and swimming in deep pools in the heart of a spectacular gorge.

Reserved for hardy riders, it's a complete immersion in the raw nature of Corsica's interior.

• Approach walk: 1h30 minutes
• Duration of descent: 3 to 4 hours
• All jumps can be bypassed
• Return walk: 20 minutes
• Physical condition required: Sporty
• Minimum age: 12

You've got it: canyoning is one of the must-do activities on a holiday in Corsica. From the fun of Pulischellu to the thrills of the Purcaraccia, from the family adventures of Fiumicelli to the sporting challenges of Tavignano, there's something for everyone. Canyoning is not only a unique way to discover the island's more hidden beauty, it's also an opportunity to experience a fun and more or less sporting moment, depending on the canyon you choose.

After your canyoning excursion, how about discovering the island by sea on one of Corsica's most beautiful boat trips?