Rocchetta Nervina natural pools

What the laghetti are

The Barbaira comes down from the mountains inland and, just before reaching the village, opens into a sequence of deep pools separated by drops and slabs of rock. Locals simply call them “i laghetti”, the little lakes. The first ones are a few minutes from the humpback bridge that leads into the old town; following the stream upwards you find more, as far as the old stone bridges of Ponte Cin and Ponte Pau.

The green colour of the water comes from the rock and the reflected vegetation: Mediterranean scrub grows right to the edge of the pools. Part of the municipal territory lies within the Alpi Liguri Regional Nature Park. For the rest of the village, from the medieval bridge to the E Dubarìe museum, read the guide to Rocchetta Nervina; for another stop in the valley there is Dolceacqua.

The path from the village to the pools

Leave your car in the village and walk to the Oratorio della Santissima Annunziata, at the entrance to the village. The path starts here, passes the small country church of San Bernardo and continues as the Balcone path, along the hillside above the stream, through rocks, old terraces and Mediterranean scrub.

• First pools: a few minutes from the village, and the most crowded.
• Ponte Cin: about fifty minutes’ walk; here the stream has more water and is cooler.
• Ponte Pau: the next stop further up the valley.

The path is not difficult, but it has stony stretches and waymarking is not always present: wear closed shoes, not flip-flops. To reach the water you often have to climb down smooth rocks.

Swimming: practical tips

The water of the Barbaira is cold even in high summer and wet rocks are slippery. Go in slowly, do not jump where you cannot clearly see the bottom and keep an eye on children near the waterfalls. After heavy rain the flow rises quickly: if there is a weather warning, keep out of the stream bed.

• What to bring: water shoes or hiking shoes, drinking water and a bag for rubbish.
• Respect: take away everything you bring and do not park illegally.

When to go

The swimming season runs from early summer to September. Weekends in July and August are the busiest days, with many visitors from the nearby Côte d’Azur too: if you can, go on a weekday or arrive by mid-morning. Around Ferragosto it is very hot and the rio Oggia, the village’s other watercourse, is almost dry, while the Barbaira keeps water in its pools. In spring and autumn the pools are lovely to see on a hike, although the water is too cold for swimming.

Parking and arriving by car

From Ventimiglia or Bordighera (A10 exits) follow the Val Nervia provincial road through Dolceacqua to Rocchetta Nervina. The village has a large car park, but on summer weekends it is not big enough for everyone coming for the pools and the canyon. The mayor has repeatedly flagged the problem of cars left illegally along the road. If the car park is full, head further down to find a space and walk back, rather than stopping on the edge of the provincial road. Without a car you can come on Riviera Trasporti buses from Ventimiglia, checking the timetable first.

The Barbaira canyon: not for everyone

Above the pools the stream cuts into a true canyon, visited every year by thousands of canyoners from all over Europe. Canyoning combines caving, mountaineering and swimming techniques: you descend by abseiling, jumps and natural water slides. Without equipment and experience you should not go in; anyone who wants to try should book a qualified guide.

The canyon is demanding even for experienced canyoners. On 30 May 2026 a French canyoner was injured; on 8 and 9 August 2026 two more French canyoners were hurt, one near Ponte Cin, and were rescued by the fire brigade’s Grifo helicopter. The terrain makes rescues long and complicated.