In 2005 the bike/pedestrian route along the Tiber was finally completed, running through the entire central section of the Eternal City; this didn't involve constructing a brand-new pathway but for the most part the systemizing of the quay that follows the river just slightly above mean water level. It follows that during autumn and winter months, during those times when the river floods, the pathway ends up under water, and after the waters have receded the path remains covered with mud. Therefore the only reliable time to plan this route is during the hot months.
The route starts from the piazzale [large piazza] at the intersection of Ponte Milvio with Viale di Tor di Quinto; on the right the path descends a few meters below street level, here the bike path is still several meters above mean water level of the Tiber, this first section therefore is feasible even in winter. The path runs below the sports complex of the Foro Italico(*), passes under the bridge [Ponte Duca d'Aosta] and returns to street level at Piazzale Maresciallo Giardino. Here you could continue on the bike lane along Viale Angelico heading south towards the Prati district.
Instead, turn left and continue on the path that is marked on the sidewalk of the Lungotevere [route along the Tiber]; this stretch ends at Ponte del Risorgimento, where you could turn left, cross the bridge and continue along the path to Valle Giulia and Villa Borghese.
Instead, just before Ponte del Risorgimento a rather steep ramp down leads back to the bike path on the quay of the Tiber.
The bike path, paved with asphalt in the first section, then paving stones (classic cobblestones), offers an unusual view of Rome, seen from below and enclosed by walls built in the late nineteenth century to contain the flooding of the Tiber. The path goes underneath the historic bridges of Rome from the bridge at Castel Sant`Angelo and those of Isola Tiberina, where there is perhaps the most impressive view of Rome, seen from below. In this central section there are no ramps to get up or down but only stairs; if one wants to go back to street level one must carry his bike by hand.
The bike path continues below the Lungotevere di Ripa, and goes as far as Porta Portese, where there is a ramp to get back up to the Lungotevere and where the path returns to asphalt. Shortly after the bike path passes under the railroad tracks and then the Ponte dell'Industria.
From here the route continues through the southern section of Rome as far as EUR and then as far as the GRA.
The Foro Italico is a major sports complex built during the 1930`s by and for Mussolini. It is still an outstanding example of Fascist-era architecture epitomizing the grandeur of ancient Rome. The Foro Italico was home to the 1960 Summer Olympics. RB