Barbaira pools

Starting from the charming village of Rocchetta Nervina, this walk takes you up the Rio Barbaira to discover its beautiful pools and waterfalls.

On the way back, a short tour of the old village will round off this lovely outing in Italy.

Details

2531284
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.47 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 117 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 116 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 305 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 219 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the entrance to the village on the left.

(S/E) Head to the main square and the medieval bridge.

(1) Just before the bridge, turn left into an alleyway that goes up and then down towards the Rio Barbaira.
Then follow the path that goes up this river on the right bank. After a fairly narrow level crossing, you will come to a waterfall. Go down on the right to see this pretty waterfall and the nearby pool.

(2) Go back up the path and then climb up on the left to move away from the river.
Further on, as you approach the river, you will find a flat section before quickly reaching the large pool overlooked by a waterfall formed by a dam. Descend to the right (swimming break possible in season).

(3) Go back up the path. The path climbs steeply in a narrow, slippery and rather dizzying passage, then flattens out again to arrive near some ruined houses. Go around them on the right and descend towards the river (be careful, slippery passage) to enjoy a last pool or a pretty little canyon further downstream.

Then retrace your steps back to the medieval bridge.

(1) Cross the bridge and climb up the alleyway that crosses the village. When the street descends via small steps, turn right onto Via XXV Aprile to leave the village.

Then take the road on the right to cross the Barbaira again. Go up on the right to find the medieval bridge.

(1) Cross the square on the left to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 224 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 0.09 - alt. 225 m - Medieval bridge
  3. 2 : km 0.44 - alt. 248 m - First waterfall
  4. 3 : km 0.69 - alt. 266 m - Dam
  5. S/E : km 2.47 - alt. 224 m - Car park

Notes

A short hike that is not particularly difficult, but with a few narrow and slippery sections that could be dangerous with young children. Nothing insurmountable, but caution is advised.

There are also two vertiginous passages.

Please note that in the height of summer, it can get very busy (making parking difficult).

Worth a visit

The main purpose of this hike is to discover pretty pools and basins where you can swim or sunbathe with your feet in the water... but beware of crowds in the height of summer. It's best to go in the late season.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 8 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.1 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
User 27587076

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

basins with beautiful clear water
the route is a bit short if you stop at the pools
the village is worth visiting

Machine-translated

User 25120643

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I loved this hike: short, accessible and truly exotic. The trail follows a small crystal-clear stream with several natural pools that are ideal for a refreshing break. The setting is superb, wild and peaceful, with the added bonus of the charming old village of Rocchetta Nervina at the start/end of the hike.
Thanks to Visorando for the route, which was very clear and precise. I highly recommend this walk!

Machine-translated

User 20412930

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Last section now closed

Machine-translated

sacho
sacho

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful route, ideal for cooling off in hot weather, as the water is very cool.
The last section is currently closed, but it is possible to continue if you are very careful.
The village is picturesque and less crowded than Dolceacqua. However, there are no shops apart from the terrace before the bridge.

Machine-translated

Ktyddee
Ktyddee

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent walk, but you're not allowed to go past point 2. We braved the ban and encountered more prohibition signs near the ruined houses. We still made our way down to the third pool, but it was really not easy. Fortunately, there was a rope. So it is completely inadvisable for elderly people or those with reduced mobility (even slightly). On the other hand, we were alone and it was absolutely magnificent.

Machine-translated

Dimmm
Dimmm

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful
End of the road impassable during this season.

Machine-translated

Claude B.
Claude B.

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A pleasant short hike with stops where you can take a dip.

Machine-translated

Chgh
Chgh

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 14, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

There are no markings, but since the route is very short, there is little risk of getting lost. Overall, you just need to follow the river and stay close to the bank.
In summer, it must be difficult with all the people, because given the short distance, it must attract a lot of visitors.
It's also pretty in autumn. It's a shame that Italians have an unfortunate tendency to lay water pipes everywhere. The path is cluttered with them and it's sometimes difficult to take a photo without the pipes appearing in it.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.