Fango Valley Corsica: Swimming Holes & Kayak Tour (2026)

The Fango Valley in northwestern Corsica is, for us, one of the most beautiful nature reserves on the island: emerald-green swimming holes between smooth, polished rocks, a calm river delta with freshwater turtles, and dense, shady forests along the Fango River that are a welcome relief on hot summer days.

We spent several days in the Fango Valley in June 2026, partly as a stop on our 14-day Corsica road trip, and we both hiked and paddled here. In this guide we share everything you need to know about parking, swimming, hiking and the kayak tour in the Fango Delta.

Last updated: October 2026.

Fango Valley Highlights

The Fango Valley in Corsica is famous for two things above all: the natural swimming holes inland and the Fango Delta on the coast. Here’s what you can do in the Fango Valley and what to keep in mind.

Highlight #1: Swimming Holes and Walks in the Fango Valley

The swimming holes in Corsica’s Fango Valley are natural pools in the Fango River where you can swim and splash around. Some of them are so deep that you can’t touch the bottom, while others are shallow enough for kids to play in safely. What makes these pools special is that the water is much warmer than you’d expect from a mountain river, close to the temperature of the sea.

There are several places to get down to the water in the Fango Valley. These are the best spots.

Ponte Vecchio Bridge

Right next to the bridge (Google Maps) there are two large parking lots. One of them is paid in high season (€5 per day), and the other one next to the restaurant is free.

From both lots it’s a short walk straight to the river. There isn’t much room here to spread out a blanket and lie down. In places the water is very shallow, but in others the pools are up to 30 meters (100 ft) long and 3 meters (10 ft) deep. The Ponte Vecchio bridge also gives you a great view over the river and the different pools.

You can also do a little river walk upstream from here, partly swimming and partly scrambling. It’s great fun, since every pool needs a different approach. When you’ve had enough, simply climb up the bank and follow the small trail along the river back to the parking lot.

The trail also lets you reach the other pools along the river without a car.

Pont de Tuarelli

This swimming spot has a large free parking lot (Google Maps) and plenty of ways to get into the water. The valley is a bit flatter here and the rock walls don’t tower up as they do at Ponte Vecchio. In return, it’s much quieter, as most visitors stay at the first spot.

In general, there are many more swimming holes that can be reached from the D351. The further you drive from Ponte Vecchio, the quieter it gets.

Good to know: In particularly dry summers, individual pools can dry out for a while. The river carries the most reliable water from May to early July.

Tip: Trekking sandals or water shoes make scrambling over the often slippery rocks in the riverbed much more comfortable.

Highlight #2: Kayak Tour in the Fango Delta

The second big attraction in the Fango Valley is the river delta right on the coast.

Where the Fango flows into the sea near Galéria, it becomes wider and calmer. This is the Fango Delta, a freshwater habitat with several side channels. Right at the river mouth you can rent single or double kayaks and explore the branching waterways. Allow about 1.5 hours to paddle all the channels.

The reserve has a kind of quiet rule. We think it’s a bit overdone, but the staff take it very seriously. You’re asked to speak very quietly and paddle very slowly. The staff don’t always stick to it themselves, but it doesn’t spoil the fun on the water.

If you manage to glide through the water quietly, you’ll be rewarded with sightings of freshwater turtles, herons and other birds. The turtles sit on wooden boards that have been placed along the bank for them. It’s a little artificial, but still well worth seeing.

We did the tour with a toddler and it worked really well. You just have to paddle slowly and stay calm so you don’t scare the animals. After the tour it’s worth jumping into the sea from the pebble beach next door.

Tip: Book the kayak tour in the morning if you can. That’s when it’s quietest on the water and your chances of spotting turtles are highest.

You can book the kayak tour (€8 per person) at the Fango Delta directly on site (Google Maps). Parking here is free. You can find more about the delta on the official Visit Corsica page.