Via Appia/Appia Way - Stage 22 - Le Vagnole to Mamurrano

This is the twenty second stage of the Via Appia by foot, from town of Le Vagnole at the seaside to Mamurrano, outskirts of Formia.

Stage 21 <<-- Stage 22 - Le Vagnole to Mamurrano -->> Stage 23

In general, the track follows the Via Appia Antica loosely as it's usually not possible to hike the original route anymore. In large part because the old road has been upgraded over the centuries and is now a highway in some section or a main provincial road where cars are speeding by you. In other sections, the road is simply gone. Instead, I've searched for nice roads, a little away from any main roads where there is a lot less traffic (or none at all), while trying to stay true to the original road where possible.

The SS7-quater is most likely (close to) the original Via Appia, but as it's a rather boring stretch with speeding cars, I've created a different track that is a lot more varied and (hopefully) fun to walk. From the river crossing, the track follows the SS7, but as this part has houses and companies along the way, the traffic should be slower and you'll have a chance to do some shopping along the way. This stage is virtually all over flat land.

You are unlikely to find any shops in the first 15 km of the track, so keep this in mind when packing your drinks and food. In the last 10 km, there are many shops, several supermarkets and even a shopping mall.

The track starts at Hotel Sinuessa, immediately leaving the SS7-quater towards the beach. After walking parallel to the sea for a bit, you will walk on the beach and might be good chance to walk barefeet for a little bit. Around odometer 2.5 km, there is a wet crossing. Depending on the season this might be a large step or maybe wet feet. After 0.5 km, you'll pass another small river, here there is a bridge to cross if you want. After passing one of the fancy beach clubs, the track take you away from the beach and through the countryside.

When your odometer reaches 14km, you'll be back on the SS7-quater and soon it will turn into the SS7, just before passing over the Garigliano. From the new bridge, you'll have a great view over the old bridge. if you're lucky, you might even be able to pass the river over it.

Just after the bridge, you'll pass by the remains of an old amphitheatre. The entrance is on the first street on your left after passing the bridge. After visiting the site, you'll pass by a restaurant and the entrance to a British WW2 graveyard. The final historical site is an old aqueduct along the road.

When your odometer reaches 17 km, you'll get to the houses and shops along the road. Many, but not all, have been included as way points.

Just before your odometer reaches 24 km, you'll get to a large roundabout. Follow the track for a little bit longer as it runs parallel to the train tracks. When the track leaves the SS7 in the southern direction, you'll have a chance to pass under the tracks in the northern direction to visit the large shopping mall, which is a few hundred meters away.

The last part of the tracks brings you to a camping site, which is the cheapest (legal) location to sleep. However, if you prefer a hotel or B&B, there are a number of them included in the way points, all a little West of the current endpoint. Those may add 1.5 km to your total distance today, but it will save you on the next stage. As always, it's probably worth booking ahead.

Below is more information on the camping, hotels and B&Bs.

Camping Gianola - 10 euro
Via delle Vigne 77, Formia
Phone: +39 0771 720223
http://www.gianolacamping.it/?cat=3&lng=eng

B&B IL GIRASOLE - 20 euro
https://www.booking.com/hotel/it/b-amp-b-girasole-formia.en-gb.html

Hotel Tirreno - 30 euro
https://www.booking.com/hotel/it/tirreno-formia.en-gb.html

Hotel Bajamar - 55 euro
https://www.booking.com/hotel/it/bajamar.en-gb.html

AirBnB: Francesco e Agata "ostello" - 50 euro
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/9226593

AirBnB: Accogliente Monolocale con parchegg - 50 euro
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/13995946

AirBnB: graziosa mansarda vista mare - 55 euro
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/10223374

There are also a number of small restaurants and bars at walking distance.

Enjoy the trail end leave a comment. In particular if you know some interesting way points should be included or an alternate track that could/should be used. Any information is much appreciated.