DAY 82 - OSTIA to FIUMICINO - 11 July 2026

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We set off very early this morning to complete all but the last couple of kilometres of our walk across Italy. After the cycleway closure on the first part of the walk to Ostia, we wanted to allow ourselves plenty of time for diversions. From our research, one of the bridges seemed busy, so we decided to tackle it when it was quietest, before 8am on a Saturday. This meant we took the train to Ostia to do this part of the walk in reverse. 

We quickly left the train station and streets at Ostia behind and walked through a nature reserve. We walked along an embankment beside the river before walking a short section along the verge to Ponte della Scafa, the first bridge. We were relieved to find it had a dedicated pedestrian/cycleway, so it was no problem at all. 

We took an elevated path with views to the river and fields before dropping down beside a canal. Despite the murky water, we found birds and coypu. We returned to the streets but at another canal crossing found lots of turtles and some more birds and coypu.

We crossed the second bridge without incident before enjoying a second breakfast at a bar. We then joined the paved cycleway, which was well-patronised by cyclists. It followed the river, and we passed the ancient Imperial Port of Claudio and Traiano (not accessible) and a castle. 

To complete our walk today, we took another cycleway to the Parco Leonardo train station (where we had finished the previous leg of the walk), then had a drink and fruit break in the air-conditioned comfort of the Wow! Shopping Mall.

After that we could have taken a train... but we walked to the next station, as it was included in our 48 hour metro and bus ticket. When we got off, we explored the peaceful and shady non- Catholic cemetery for foreigners, finding the grave of Keats, Shelley and Andrea Camilleri. We then climbed up the Aventine Hill and gaped at the queue for the keyhole view of St Peter's Basilica in the green door of the Knights of Malta. There was a political convention in the Garden of Oranges but we still had some great views over the city.

At the bottom of the hill, we walked past the queue to put your hand in the Mouth of Truth. The bus we were going to take didn't arrive, so we walked back to our apartment, over the Capitoline Hill. 

We enjoyed a great dinner at one of the restaurants in our neighbourhood, with 'pinsa', the Roman version of pizza.

Leaving Ostia this morning 
Pleasant walking on from Ostia
Pleasantly surprised to find a dedicated walking lane over the Ponte della Scafa
The view downstream from the Ponte della Scafa 
Some pleasant off-road walking as we crossed Isola Sacra
Across the Ponte 2 Giugno into Fiumicino 
Second breakfast in Fiumicino 
Onwards on a bike path
Past a castle
On to Parco Leonardo, where we had finished the previous leg of our walk two days ago
Healthy fruit in the air-conditioned shopping centre
A short walk on to the next station for the train back into Rome
A bit of sightseeing - the Aurelian Wall and Pyramid of Cestus
We walked past the queue for the peephole at the Order of Malta
Into the Giardino degli Aranci, where we took a selfie with the fine view 
Down from the Aventine to the Bocca della Verita, where we weren't tempted to join the lengthy queue
Up the Capitoline Hill for the views down over the Forum, and the (replica) equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius
On past the impressive Trajan's Column
Dinner
Bits and pieces 
Birds
Coypus and turtles
Day 82 - Map

Day:                               82
Distance:                      18.47 km
Walking time:               3 hrs 36 mins
Elevation gain:             15 metres
Cumulative distance:  1684.06 km

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