In canyoning, you follow a mountain stream downhill by walking, sliding, jumping into pools and abseiling down waterfalls. Corsica's granite gorges, especially around the Aiguilles de Bavella, make it one of Europe's best-known places to try it.
The hard part is choosing a canyon. Routes range from playful family descents to long days with big abseils, and the names alone tell you little. This guide compares the Corsican canyons currently listed on Adrenaline List and explains how to match one to your group.
Durations and minimum ages below are taken from each listing at the time of writing. They are the operator's figures, not ours, so check them again when you book.
What a guided canyon day involves
A typical guided descent has four parts:
- Meet and kit up. You meet at the operator's base or a car park, where the guide hands out equipment. Bavella operators listed on the official tourism site describe harnesses, ropes, helmets and neoprene suits, plus supervision by state-certified instructors (Visit Corsica).
- Walk in. The approach to the top of the canyon can be short or take a while. Ask how long it is.
- The descent. You follow the stream down through pools, slides, optional jumps and roped abseils. On most beginner routes the guide offers an alternative to the bigger jumps.
- Walk out. Most canyons end with a short walk back to the cars.
"Listed at 4 hours" usually covers the whole outing, not just the time in the water.
The Corsican canyons on Adrenaline List
Gentle starts
- Pulischellu canyon in the Aiguilles de Bavella: listed at 3 hours, from age 7. A natural water playground above Solenzara, suited to families.
- Initiation canyon of Pulischellu: listed at 4 hours, from age 8. The same canyon, run as an introduction with many jumps and slides.
One official tourism listing describes Pulischellu as ideal for families and beginners. Another gives its length as about 400 m (Visit Corsica: Bavella Canyon, Visit Corsica: Corse Rando Canyon).
A step up
- Verghellu canyon near Corte: listed at 2 hours, from age 10. A varied canyon in the centre of the island, near Venaco. It is a good choice if you are based around Corte rather than on the coast.
- Richiusa canyon at Bocognano: listed at 2 hours, from age 9. Within reach of Ajaccio, and the listing says there are two courses to choose from.
The big day
- Sporty canyon of Purcaraccia in Bavella: listed at 4 hours, from age 12. Bavella's classic, with large slides and suspended pools. The official tourism listing mentions "two waterfalls over 40 metres high to abseil down" (Visit Corsica). Save it for a second canyon, or book it if your group is confident in water and at height.
Matching a canyon to your group
- Children, or nervous adults: start with Pulischellu. Short obstacles and optional jumps make it easy to stay within your comfort zone.
- Active adults trying it for the first time: the Pulischellu initiation, Verghellu or Richiusa all work. Pick by where you are staying.
- Already tried canyoning and want more: Purcaraccia.
- Mixed group: choose for the least confident person. A good day on an easier canyon beats a long, cold, stressful one.
Questions to ask before you book
- Do I need to be able to swim, and how confident in the water?
- What is the walk in and out like, and how long is it?
- Are the jumps optional, and is there a way around each one?
- What equipment is included, and what do I need to bring? Several listings mention canyoning shoes, which you either bring or rent.
- What happens if the weather or water level changes, and what is the cancellation policy?
- Where exactly do we meet? Mountain meeting points can be hard to find, and the Corse Rando Canyon listing warns there is no mobile phone reception in Bavella (Visit Corsica).
When to go
Canyoning in Corsica is a spring-to-autumn activity. The official tourism site lists Bavella Canyon's opening period as 1 April to 31 October (Visit Corsica), but each operator sets its own dates. Water levels change over the season, and storms can close a canyon at short notice. Your guide decides whether a route is safe on the day.
What to bring
- Swimwear to wear under the wetsuit.
- Closed shoes with good grip, or canyoning shoes if your operator requires them.
- A towel, dry clothes and a snack for afterwards.
- Water and sun protection for the walk in.
- A waterproof case if you want to carry a phone, though some operators offer photos instead.
Plan the rest of your trip
Canyons sit well alongside the rest of the island. Our Corsica adventure guide groups every listed activity by region, from the via ferrata of the Ospédale to flights over Cap Corse. You can also browse all adventures in Corsica or canyoning worldwide.
Sources: canyon details come from the linked Adrenaline List listings at the time of writing. Season, equipment and access information is cited inline from Visit Corsica, the official Corsica tourism site. This guide is general information, not safety advice. Follow your guide's instructions and confirm requirements with the operator before booking.