Rocchetta Nervina is a small stone village tucked away in a side valley of the Val Nervia, where the Rio Oggia flows into the Barbaira stream. The village has a curious “Y” shape that follows the two watercourses, and it is linked to the road by old humpbacked bridges.
It is famous above all for its rock pools: the emerald-coloured pools carved by the Barbaira just upstream of the village, a destination for swimming and walks in summer. From Bordighera it takes about 35 minutes by car.
The history of Rocchetta Nervina
The first documentary records date back to 1186, when the place was called Castrum Barbairae. Over the centuries the village passed to the Doria, the House of Savoy and France, fought over because of its border position, until the Unification of Italy in 1861.
What to see
The humpbacked bridges
The medieval bridge leading into the centre is the village’s calling card. Along the stream you come across others, such as the Cin bridge and the Pau bridge, on the path to the rock pools.
The village
The stone houses, covered passages and little squares can be explored in a short time. The 16th-century parish church of Santo Stefano is Baroque in style; the oratory of the Santissima Annunziata holds two 17th-century paintings.
The Barbaira rock pools
Following the stream upwards you find the natural pools that have made the village famous: all the information is on the page dedicated to the Rocchetta Nervina rock pools. Canyoning is also practised in the Barbaira gorges, with experienced guides.
Trails
Rocchetta is a crossroads of hiking routes: the Sentiero Balcone, which leads from the oratory to the Cin bridge in about 50 minutes and continues to the Pau bridge, and the links with the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri.
What to taste
The cooking is the mountain cuisine of the Val Nervia: croseti, a handmade pasta, ravioli alla rocchettina with borage, goat with beans and stewed wild boar.
Tips for your visit
- How long you need: an hour for the village; half a day with the walk to the rock pools.
- Getting there: about 16 km by car from Bordighera, up the Val Nervia to Dolceacqua and then towards Rocchetta.
- At the rock pools: you need shoes suitable for stones and water; after heavy rain the stream can be dangerous.
- Combine it with: Dolceacqua is a few minutes away, for an afternoon of swimming and village life.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the Rocchetta Nervina rock pools?
Along the Barbaira stream, upstream of the village; you reach them on foot by following the paths that start from the village.
Can you swim there?
Yes, in summer the pools are a very popular place for a swim, with the care that a mountain stream requires.
How far is Rocchetta Nervina from Bordighera?
About 16 km, a good half hour by car.
