Earth, air and water: outdoor experiences

Earth, air and water: outdoor experiences

The coastal area around Ostia and Castel Fusano, which largely lies within the Riserva Naturale Statale del Litorale Romano, offers numerous opportunities for outdoor activities that allow you to enjoy the beauty of these areas through the different elements.

On foot or by bicycle: the Regina Ciclarum and the Pasolini Trail

For walkers or cyclists there are a number of trails to be enjoyed on foot or pedalling. If you love cycling, do not miss at least one section of the so-called Regina Ciclarum: its name is inspired by the ‘Regina Viarum’ (the ancient Appian Way, a vital highway in Roman times) and is an ambitious project to create a Tiber river cycle route which, in eight sections and 444 kilometres crosses four regions and the city of Rome, to follow the entire course of the River Tiber from its sources to the sea. To date, about 55 kilometres are completed (with some temporary closures especially in urban sections, check before leaving), from the countryside of Prima Porta to the sea at Fiumicino. The last section, called ‘Via al Mare’ (Road to the Sea), includes dirt roads, pavements and wooden footbridges that run along the right bank of the river. It takes in some monuments such as the Episcopio di Porto with its small medieval village and then joins the paved route built by the Fiumicino Municipality.
A short distance from the archaeological area of Ostia Antica, following along the dirt road, you can head off on the Pasolini Trail – named after the  intellectual and poet Pier Paolo Pasolini who was murdered in 1975 at the Ostia seaplane station where there is a memorial garden. This trail is both a bicycle and pedestrian path that runs along the south bank of the River Tiber within the nature reserve, mostly on the ridge of the raised embankment, crossing cultivated fields and silent rural landscapes. At the moment, this route runs for 20 km up to Mezzocammino (with possible closures and detours due private property) and unfortunately lacks adequate signage.

Underwater at the Secche (shallows) of Tor Paterno

If water is your element, contact one of the certified diving centres for the Secche di Tor Paterno a protected natural marine area and book a dive to enjoy a close look at Lazio’s coral reef, while respecting the delicate habitat. Located between Ostia and Torvaianica, the underwater rock formation is home to a flourishing and fascinating wealth of animal and plant life: soft and hard corals, colonies of gorgonia sea fans of different shapes and colours, sponges, seagrass beds of posidonia and multicoloured fish. They are a stunning spectacle, one to admire without disturbing.

Between sea and air: kitesurfing in Torvajanica

If you love adrenaline and water sports, the windy and in many places wild Torvajanica beach is a perfect spot for a scenic kitesurf adventure. You can even learn the basic rudiments - thanks to the numerous centres and schools -  of this sail-based sport that combines water and air skills. Equipped with a board and a sail ready to catch the wind, with a bar to manoeuvre for direction, you can speed across the surface of the sea. Check out the Italian Sailing Federation certified AKO Kitesurfing School In the Lungomare delle Sirene area, which offers windsurfing, wind foil and paddleboarding. On the other hand, if you go alone, independent kitesurfing was permitted on the two beaches between the first and third gates of Castel Porziano in past years, but you will need to check if the administrative permit is still valid before setting out.