The Via Appia Antica, built in 312 BC to link Rome to southern Italy, is now ridden by bike through a protected regional park, lined with umbrella pines, ancient tombs and open-air Roman ruins.
An ancient road on the capital’s doorstep
From the Porta San Sebastiano, in Rome, the path follows the old Roman road for about 16 km round trip through the Parco Regionale dell’Appia Antica, passing the Catacombs of San Callisto, an ancient aqueduct and the Villa dei Quintili. The route, almost entirely flat, alternates original Roman cobblestones with a smoother packed path.
Getting the family ride right
With barely 60 m of cumulative elevation gain, this ride poses no physical difficulty, but the original cobblestones, uneven in places, call for wider or puncture-resistant tyres for a more comfortable ride, especially with a child trailer. Riding on a Sunday or public holiday, when car traffic is restricted on part of the route, makes for a calmer experience.
When to go
Year-round, as the Via Appia Antica suits both a sunny winter outing and a summer ride in the shade of the umbrella pines. Sundays and public holidays remain the best windows for a family ride, away from traffic.
Good to know
Rome, of course, offers Italy’s widest choice of accommodation, with public transport access to the edge of the park, making it easy to combine this ride with a visit to the historic centre.
