1 Corsica: Spelunca

The gorge starts in a serpentine curve formed by 2 historic bridges towards the town of Ota. To this spot you need to drive 2km down from the main road D84. Parking is available on both sides of the road.

The famous Spelunca Gorge has beautiful granite boulders, clear water, steep canyon walls – all combine to create the perfect setting for an unforgettable hike. Some sections cannot be climbed except by water, and the pools are great for swimming, which is why swimsuits are the ideal attire, at least in summer. As always, good water shoes with non-slip soles are important.

The entrance to the gorge is right at the serpentine at the 2 bridges, just head upstream from there.

The gorge ends at another historic bridge after about 1.5km, which you will see on the right at the confluence of the 2 rivers. Get to the bridge and head back along the trail, which rises high above the bottom of the gorge, but will still occasionally give you a retrospective view of the places you’ve experienced.

The gorge requires good footwear and a willingness to walk through water. The route is suitable for children over 6 years old. The weather in Corsica is sunny most of the year and you should take advantage of such a day to visit the gorge, it would be much more challenging in the rain. On colder days we recommend using a waterproof backpack and wearing dry clothes for the return journey.