Spots / Europe
Corsica, France — Pink granite, big jumps and long swims in white water — a Corsican classic for confident, autonomous teams.
The Vacca, in the Bavella massif, is one of Corsica's great aquatic descents and a serious step up from introductory routes. The pink granite glows in the sun, but the canyon is long, committing and full of white water. Big swims, real jumps and sustained rappelling demand a fit, self-sufficient team that can handle problems on its own.
The approach climbs and traverses through Bavella's forest and slabs before dropping into the canyon. It is longer and more involved than introductory routes — allow plenty of time.
Once committed, escape is difficult. The descent links cold swims, technical rappels beside falling water, and jumps that should only be taken after inspection. Strong rope management and group discipline are non-negotiable.