The Solenzara is one of the best-known and most beautiful swimming rivers in Corsica. The river rises in the spectacular Bavella massif at over 1,200 metres and winds about 22 kilometres down to Corsica’s east coast, where it flows into the sea near the town of Sari-Solenzara. The Solenzara River is famous for its crystal-clear, emerald-green (and also warm) water and its countless deep natural pools (swimming holes), which are perfect for swimming, cliff jumping and relaxing.
At the same time, an impressive mountain panorama begins just a few kilometres from the coast and accompanies you all the way up to the Bavella Pass.
We are now going to tell you which places are especially worth seeing, where the best swimming holes (natural pools) in Corsica are and what you should keep in mind when you visit. We were in the area around the Solenzara twice in 2026, in June and in September. You can also find official information about the river at Visit Corsica.
Last updated: October 2026.
Solenzara River at a glance
Best time to visit: summer, when the water is warm
Length: about 22 km, running parallel to the D268
Parking: only in a few places, otherwise forbidden
More info: Camping & wild camping in Corsica
Highlights
Swimming holes with cliff jumping
Scenic road to the Bavella Pass
Hike to the Trou de la Bombe
Two campsites right on the river
Quick picks! Here are our hotel recommendations:
Alternatives to the campsite, on the coast and in Zonza beyond the Bavella Pass
The swimming holes on the Solenzara
There are many lovely places to swim along the river, and they are also the main reason most visitors come to the Solenzara. Unfortunately, some of them have been closed in recent years or are no longer open to the public. We introduce the most beautiful Solenzara swimming holes to you here:
Camping U Rosumarinu
The first swimming hole (coming from the coast) is at Camping U Rosumarinu (Google Maps). There is also a restaurant here, and you can park for free. You can even jump into the water from a rock.
Camping U Ponte Grossu
The second place to swim is at and around the second campsite on the river. You can park here for free (Google Maps) and can splash around in the warm water both near the campsite and on the other side of the bridge.
Plagette De Séthi
Not far from the bridge there is a car park (Google Maps) from which you reach the river in a few minutes, with several jumping spots from heights of several metres. If you walk a bit further up the river, it gets even quieter and more beautiful.
Canyon du Pulischellu
Unfortunately, the other swimming spots further up the river are no longer open to the public. This includes the pools in the Pulischellu gorge and the Cascades de Purcaraccia waterfalls. You can only get there on a guided canyoning tour (book here).
Nice to know: How Corsica’s spectacular swimming holes were formed:
The natural pools are the result of millions of years of interplay between extremely hard Corsican granite and the power of water. During the spring snowmelt in particular, Corsica’s rivers turn into raging torrents.
The water swirls sand and heavy pebbles around in eddies, which act like natural drills and grind millimetre by millimetre deep into the hard rock.
Together with tectonic cracks and plunging waterfalls, this created the deep, smoothly polished natural pools over thousands of years, which today invite you to go canyoning and swimming.
The scenic road
The picturesque scenic road D268 leads from the coastal town of Solenzara up towards the Col de Bavella. The river runs directly parallel to this road. Even if you do not want to swim or hike, this road is an absolute highlight.
Again and again you get fantastic views of the mountain massif and the lush green pine forests of the area. For motorcyclists in particular, this road is an absolute experience.
But driving here by car or campervan is also great fun (despite or because of the many bends). The road is never unpaved or too narrow, so it is an experience, but neither dangerous nor a challenge.
Parking at the swimming holes
Parking at the Solenzara swimming holes and along the scenic road is unfortunately very difficult, as the authorities have massively restricted parking options in recent years. Away from the parking options described above, parking is not possible or is forbidden at the roadside, and this is also enforced.
Hiking in the Bavella massif
At the end of the scenic road (if you are coming from the coast), the Bavella massif awaits you at over 1,200 metres. It is always really busy here, which is of course due to the great hiking options. There are lots of trails that start up here. The most famous and popular one is certainly the trail to the Trou de la Bombe (bomb hole).
You hike about 6.5 km on a moderately difficult route up to a hole in a rock about 8 metres wide. The hole itself is not all that spectacular, but the hike there is all the more so. You can find more information about the hike on Komoot.
The other hikes at the pass are unfortunately rather difficult and are therefore not recommended for families or people with little hiking experience.
Parking at the Bavella massif
Parking is very difficult at the Bavella massif, as the car parks are often full by 11 a.m., even in the low season. There is a large paid car park (€2.50 per hour) and, opposite, a small, bumpy free car park that is already full early in the morning.
This car park is also the only option for motorhomes and campervans to park up here at the pass.
If you cannot find anything right at the pass, you have to drive on towards Zonza. About 1 km beyond the pass there are a few places to park at the roadside. Parking is officially not allowed there, but it is obviously tolerated for lack of alternatives.
Where to stay at the Solenzara River
Campsites on the river
There are only 2 campsites located directly on the river. Both are equally spectacular and offer direct access to swimming. We stayed at both campsites and can recommend both without reservation. You can find more on the topic of camping in our article on wild camping in Corsica.
Coming from the coast, you will first pass Camping U Rosumarinu. There are excellent swimming spots right on the river here. The site is rather small and unfortunately has very poor mobile reception. If you get a good pitch, you have a perfect mountain panorama from the breakfast table. The site is also completely in the hands of German families: we estimate that 90% of the visitors are German and most of them have children with them.
A few kilometres further on is Camping U Ponte Grossu. This site is a lot bigger than Rosumarinu. Access to the swimming holes is not as easy here as at the other site. Also, only relatively few pitches have a great panorama.
Here too, most of the visitors are German and have small children with them. So it is perfect if you are also travelling as a family. You also get very good mobile reception here and even Wi-Fi.
Hotels
There are no hotels or other accommodation directly on the river. If you want to stay here, you have to do so either on the coast in the town of Solenzara or drive a few more kilometres beyond the Bavella Pass to the small and very sweet village of Zonza. There are a few places to stay here.
We did not stay in hotels here, so here is one more tip from our research: the La Solenzara Hôtel & Appartement & SPA* is right on the sea in Solenzara, has two pools, a spa and free parking, and is rated around 9.0 out of 10 on Booking.
View rooms at La Solenzara now*
In Zonza, beyond the Bavella Pass, we also came across the Hôtel Le Tourisme*, a former coaching inn from 1875 with a heated pool, sauna and garden. It is rated around 9.4 out of 10 on Booking.
View rooms at Le Tourisme now*
You can find an overview of places and hotels across the whole island in our article Where to stay in Corsica (in German).
Frequently asked questions about the Solenzara River
Is the Solenzara River closed?
No, swimming in the Solenzara is not forbidden. The swimming holes further upstream, for example in the Pulischellu gorge and at the Cascades de Purcaraccia, are no longer open to the public and can only be reached on a guided canyoning tour.
What are the swimming holes of Solenzara?
Swimming holes are deep natural pools in the granite that the water has carved out over thousands of years. On the Solenzara they invite you to swim and jump off the rocks.
Where can you swim in the Solenzara River Corsica?
The swimming spots at Camping U Rosumarinu, Camping U Ponte Grossu and the Plagette de Séthi are easy to reach. All three have parking nearby.
Where can you park at the Solenzara River?
Only at the car parks described by the campsites and at the Plagette de Séthi. Parking at the roadside is forbidden and enforced.
What hikes can you do at the Solenzara and the Bavella Pass?
The most popular hike in the Bavella massif leads about 6.5 km to the Trou de la Bombe and is moderately difficult. The other hikes at the pass are rather difficult.
Where can you stay at the Solenzara River?
There are two campsites directly on the river, Camping U Rosumarinu and Camping U Ponte Grossu. You will find hotels on the coast in Solenzara or in Zonza beyond the Bavella Pass.