The Aïtone natural pools
- Time
- 30 min return
- Level
- Easy
From the D84, at the edge of the forest, about ten minutes on foot brings you to the rock pools of the stream, among the pines.
Source: Ouest Corsica tourist office, 2023 walking leaflet
Hiking
The Aïtone forest
A forest of tall laricio pines between Évisa and the Vergio pass, with rock pools for a swim in the mountain stream.
From Porto
About 30 min
Area
2,400 ha
Walks
30 min to 2 hrs
Overview
The Aïtone forest covers the slopes above the Gulf of Porto, from the heights of Évisa to the Vergio pass (1,477 m). It is a 2,400 ha public forest managed by the Office national des forêts: mostly laricio pines, with beeches, firs and maritime pines. Together with its neighbour, Valdu Niellu, on the other side of the pass, it has some of the finest stands of laricio pine on the island, according to the Agence du tourisme de la Corse.
Photo : Myrabella, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
What you will see
Straight trunks several tens of metres tall, an open understorey, and the Aïtone stream dropping in waterfalls and pools towards Porto. Around Évisa, chestnut trees take over. As you climb towards the pass, the view opens onto the peaks of the Niolu and, on a clear day, down to the gulf.
Photo : Jean-Pol GRANDMONT, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Why go
For the cool air, first of all: after a morning on the coast, the forest offers shade and a freshwater swim 30 minutes from Porto. The walks are short and easy, suitable for families. In July and August, the natural pools are very busy in the afternoon: come in the morning, or carry on to the forest’s less-known paths. In spring and autumn the forest is almost empty, and the beeches change colour in October.
Updated 30 October 2026
Getting there
How to get there
By car
The D84 climbs from Porto to Évisa, then crosses the forest to the Vergio pass: about 30 minutes from Porto to the edge of the forest, and 40 minutes to the pass, outside summer and without stops (OSRM calculation). From Corte, allow about 1 hour to the pass via the Niolu.
Parking
Small parking areas line the D84 around Évisa and the pass. Access is free. There is no drinking water and there are no toilets.
On foot from Évisa
The chestnut trail (chemin des châtaigniers), waymarked in orange (the northern Mare a Mare route), runs down from the village to the natural pools. See below.
Hikes
Hikes
The chestnut trail
- Distance
- 3.5 km
- Elevation
- 150 m of ascent
- Time
- 2 hrs return
- Level
- Easy
From Évisa, the path crosses the village chestnut grove before entering the forest and reaching the natural pools.
Source: Ouest Corsica tourist office
The Radule waterfalls
- Time
- 2 hrs return
- Level
- Easy
Beyond the Vergio pass, in the municipality of Albertacce, outside the Aïtone forest: start at the big bend known as ‘the horseshoe’ (le fer à cheval). An outing to combine with the forest on the same day.
Source: Ouest Corsica tourist office, 2023 walking leaflet
Rules
Rules and protection
Status
A 2,400 ha public forest, managed by the Office national des forêts (the French forestry office), within the Parc naturel régional de Corse (Corsica’s regional nature park).
Fires and picking
Fires and picking plants are banned on the site. The use of fire is regulated each summer by the Corse-du-Sud prefecture.
Safety
Safety and precautions
1
Slippery rocks
The rock slabs around the pools are smooth and wet: wear good shoes, and do not dive into water when you cannot see the bottom.
2
Summer storms
In the mountains, storms often arrive in the afternoon and the stream rises quickly. Leave the riverbed at the first rumble of thunder.
3
Cold water
Even in August, the water in the stream stays cool. Children get cold quickly.
Find your bearings
Where it is
Combine it with
Back to Porto → Nearby highlights
Gulf of Porto
The Calanques de Piana
Beyond the Vergio pass
The Scala di Santa Regina
Nearest town
Visit Porto
River swimming