Canyoning in Corsica (tips + reviews)

With its rugged mountains, Corsica is an ideal playground for canyoning enthusiasts.
There are magnificent emerald-colored pools and natural slides for experiences in the heart of nature.

In this article, we share our tips for canyoning in Corsica: the most beautiful canyons, options for beginners, spots in the north and south…

This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.

Content

Canyoning in Corsica: what you need to know

Canyoning for beginners

Canyoning in southern Corsica: from Porto-Vecchio

Canyoning in southern Corsica: from Ajaccio

Canyoning in the center: Corte

Canyoning in northern Corsica: from Calvi or Bastia

Canyoning in Corsica: what you need to know

We’ll tell you more in the article, but here are our quick answers:

Essential tips

Book in advance to save space
Book this activity at the start of your trip. In the event of bad weather, the activity may be cancelled. By booking in advance, you’ll be able to organize your outing on another day.

Best canyoning trips for beginners

Pulischellu Canyon

Duration: 2h30 of descent
35-minute walk (30 min outward and 5 min return)
From age 8
Suitable for everyone, but still with excellent sensations
All obstacles can be bypassed
See details and book
Corse du Sud – Departure from Hameau de Argiavara, 1h10 drive from Porto-Vecchio, 2h20 drive from Ajaccio

Canyon de Sapare à Bavella

Duration: 2h30 of descent
25 min walk (5 outward and 20 return)
From age 7
Without technical passage
All obstacles can be bypassed
See details and book
Corse du Sud – Departure from Hameau de Argiavara, 1h10 drive from Porto-Vecchio, 2h20 drive from Ajaccio

Better, sportier excursions

Canyon de la Purcaraccia

Duration: 3h descent
2h15 walk (1h30 outward and 45min return)
From age 10
Medium difficulty
All obstacles can be bypassed
See details and book
Corse du Sud – Departure from Hameau de Argiavara, 1h10 drive from Porto-Vecchio, 2h20 drive from Ajaccio

Canyon de la Vacca

Duration: 3h descent
2h walk (45min outward and 1h15 return)
From age 12
Medium difficulty
Some obstacles cannot be circumvented
See details and book
Corse du Sud – Departure from Hameau de Argiavara, 1h10 drive from Porto-Vecchio, 2h20 drive from Ajaccio

See more canyoning options.

OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Corsica

Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
There is a lot of demand, book it early.

See available cars ->

See all our tips

Canyoning for beginners

Who can go canyoning in Corsica?

It depends on the route.
For beginners, most travellers can discover this activity, even children aged 7, 8 or 10.

As this activity takes place in the water, you must be able to swim and immerse yourself. And you need to be mobile.
And there’s always a bit of uphill walking to get to the start of the descent or back afterwards.

you need to be able to swim to go canyoning — you need to know how to swim

How do you choose your course?

Here are the criteria to look for when choosing your canyoning activity:

Running time required
Descent time
Ability to bypass obstacles
Reviews from customers who have done the activity
Proximity to your place of stay

WHERE TO STAY IN Corsica

Saint-Florent
for the variety of landscapes and the access to the Cap Corse
see the best rated accommodations
L’Île-Rousse
for the atmosphere and access to the Balagne region
see the best rated accommodations
Around Porto-Vecchio
for easy access to many paradisiacal beaches and to explore the south
see the best rated accommodations
Bonifacio
for the breathtaking views, especially at sunset when the cliffs light up.
see the best rated accommodations

See all our tips

What to bring?

All technical equipment and wetsuits are provided by the company that takes you canyoning.
You’ll have to bring your own:

Swimsuit to be worn under the neoprene wetsuit.
Grip shoes for walking on wet and slippery rocks – if you don’t have any, you can rent them at an additional cost per tour
Sunglasses with cord
Equipment for waterproof photography
Sunscreen, to be applied to your face before departure
Towel to dry off on return
Depending on your experience, you may leave without carrying anything, or with a bag if you have a waterproof pack. Find out more about the conditions.
Water bottle and snacks, which you’ll have on your return or in your waterproof bag depending on the activity.

The guide provides you with all the technical equipment: wetsuit, helmet, harness…

How is canyoning done?

Canyoning is a sport that involves descending a riverbed along its natural course, using a variety of techniques such as walking, swimming, abseiling, jumping and tobogganing.

Here are the stages of a canyoning trip:

Arrive at the meeting point on your own
Equipment provided: neoprene wetsuit, helmet, harness, grip shoes (often at extra cost).
Safety briefing
Walk to the start of the descent
Downhill with slides, jumps, abseiling and sometimes zip lines
Walk back to starting point
Suit cleaning

Is canyoning in Corsica dangerous?

Canyoning, like any sporting activity in a natural environment, involves inherent risks and requires a cautious and responsible approach.
Be sure to:

Choose a reputable team to take you there
Choose a level of difficulty suited to your situation
Listen carefully to the guide’s instructions

One of the biggest risks comes from weather conditions, and therefore water conditions. Your tour will be cancelled if the danger is too great.

If your state of health requires special attention, you must specify this when booking and inform the instructor before the start of the activity.

How to prepare

For a safer and more pleasant experience, we recommend the weeks before:

Walking to keep up with the group when entering the canyon
Mobility exercises for all your joints
Flexibility and stretching exercises
Practice swimming with your head under water
Sleep well the night before

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
EN South Corsica

Introduction to canyoning at Pulischellu – see photos + availability
Complete canyoning experience at Pulischellu – see photos + availability
Via Ferrata near Porto-Vecchio – see photos + availability
Sea kayaking under the cliffs of Bonifacio – see photos + availability

Canyoning in southern Corsica: from Porto-Vecchio

Less than 1h30 from Porto-Vecchio, in the Solenzara valley, you have several options for canyoning and canyoning excursions:

Pulischellu Canyon (beginner)

Located in the Bavella massif, the Polischellu Canyon is one of the best known. With abseils, slides and jumps, this canyon offers a varied adventure in a spectacular mountain setting.

Duration: 2h30 of descent
35-minute walk (30 min outward and 5 min return)
From age 8
Suitable for everyone, but still with excellent sensations
All obstacles can be bypassed
View details and book
Corse du Sud – Departure from Hameau de Argiavara, 1h10 drive from Porto-Vecchio, 2h20 drive from Ajaccio

Canyon de Sapare à Bavella (beginner)

Duration: 2h30 of descent
25 min walk (5 outward and 20 return)
From age 7
Without technical passage
All obstacles can be bypassed
See details and book
Corse du Sud – Departure from Hameau de Argiavara, 1h10 drive from Porto-Vecchio, 2h20 drive from Ajaccio

Canyon de la Purcaraccia (sporty)

Duration: 3h descent
2h15 walk (1h30 outward and 45 min return)
From age 10
Medium difficulty
All obstacles can be bypassed
See details and book
Corse du Sud – Departure from Hameau de Argiavara, 1h10 drive from Porto-Vecchio, 2h20 drive from Ajaccio

Canyon de la Vacca (sporty)

Duration: 3h descent
2h walk (45min outward and 1h15 return)
From age 12
Medium difficulty
Some obstacles cannot be circumvented
See details and book
Corse du Sud – Departure from Hameau de Argiavara, 1h10 drive from Porto-Vecchio, 2h20 drive from Ajaccio

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Canyoning in southern Corsica: from Ajaccio

Zoicu Canyon (beginner)

Duration: 1h30 to 2h descent
10-minute walk each way and 20-minute walk back
From age 7
Easy difficulty
Includes zip-line
See details and book
Corse du Nord – Departure from Lake Creno
1h30 drive from Piana, 1h45 drive from Ajaccio

Richiusa Canyon

Duration: 2h descent
1h20 walk (1h outward and 20min return)
From age 9
Medium difficulty
No jump required
See details and book
South Corsica – road between Ajaccio and Corte
50min drive from Ajaccio, 50min drive from Corte

Baracci Canyon

Duration: 2h descent
5-minute walk each way and 20-minute walk back
From age 7
Easy difficulty
No jump required
See details and book (we haven’t tested or seen any reviews)
South Corsica – near Propriano
1h40 from Ajaccio, 1h15 from Bonifacio, 25min from Propriano

Zoicu Canyon (sporty)

Duration: 2h30 to 3h descent
10-minute walk each way and 25-minute walk back
From age 12
Medium difficulty
Includes zip-line
See details and book
Corse du Nord – Departure from Lake Creno
1h30 drive from Piana, 1h45 drive from Ajaccio

USE OUR GUIDE TO PLAN A
DREAM TRIP TO Corsica

All the information you need for your trip:

7 maps that make planning easier
130+ pre-selected locations
Practical advice
+ 220 photos to help you choose

Discover

Canyoning in the center: Corte

Canyon Le Grand Vecchio (sportive)

Duration: 3 to 4 hours
Walk: 30min outward journey, 1h return journey
From age 12
Intermediate difficulty
No jump required
See details and book (we haven’t tested or seen any reviews)
Central Corsica, Village of Vivario
1h45 from Calvi, 30min from Corte, 1h from Ajaccio

Verghellu Canyon (sporty)

Duration: 2h descent
Walk: 30min outward journey, 5min return journey
From age 10
Easy-intermediate difficulty
Some jumps are compulsory
See details and book (we haven’t tested or seen any reviews)
Central Corsica, between the villages of Venaco and Vivario
20 min from Corte, 1h10 from Ajaccio, 1h40 drive from Calvi

Canyon Le Tavignano (sportive)

Duration: 4h descent
Walk: 1h30 to go, 20min to return
From age 12
Intermediate difficulty
No jump required
See details and book (we haven’t tested or seen any reviews)
Central Corsica: Corte
in Corte, 1h20 drive from Calvi, from Corte, 1h30 from Ajaccio, 1h05 from Bastia

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
AT North Corsica

Introduction to diving – see photos + availability
Snokeling outing – see photos + availability
Quad between sea and mountains – see photos + availability
Via Ferrata with different levels – see photos + availability
Canyoning in beautiful valleys – see photos + availability
Rafting on 2 intensity levels – see photos + availability

Canyoning in northern Corsica: from Calvi or Bastia

Figarella Canyon (beginner)

Duration: 2h to 3h of activities
15-minute walk out and 15-minute walk back
From age 7
Easy difficulty: series of activities and less than one descent
Includes zip line and slack line
See details and book (we haven’t tested or seen any reviews)
North Corsica
Minibus from Calvi included

Fango Canyon (beginner)

Duration: 2h to 3h of activities
Walking: easy access
From age 8
Easy to intermediate difficulty
See details and book (we haven’t tested or seen any reviews)
North Corsica
Minibus from Calvi included

Melaghia Canyon (sporty)

Duration: 3 hours of activities
Walk: 45min outward journey, 20min return journey
From age 12
Intermediate difficulty
See details and book (we haven’t tested or seen any reviews)
North Corsica
Minibus from Calvi included

You can also check out the options in the center of the island around Corte. These canyons can be reached during the day from Calvi, L’Île-Rousse and Bastia.

Canyoning in Corsica (tips + reviews)