The Hike:

Begin this hike at Porta San Sebastiano which is one of the most well preserved parts of the Aurelian Walls. Alternatively, you can start just down the road and walk through a park that contains the family grave of the Scipios (think Scipio Africanus family). This is only accessible by reservation on the phone, no walk-ins accepted.

The most difficult part of this hike is trying to figure out how to get on it. There is a lot of conflicting information online/wikiloc/google maps. On google maps there is a large green area that advertises itself as the Via Appia Antica park; however, this park is practically inaccesible and contains virtually no walking routes. The actual route is on the main road. The first hour or so of the hike is genuinely miserable as there are a lot of cars and buses that drive very close to you. The only saving grave is that you pass by a few churches which contain expansive ancient Roman catacombs which may be visited if you aren't there on a Monday.

The further you walk along the road, the more the traffic will lessen and the more of a traditional Roman road it becomes. Surrounded by trees and a rough road, you are on the proper path now. There are a few ancient Roman gravestones on the side of the road as well as the palace of Maxentius which when I went was under construction and could not be visited. Do not be fooled by the tomb of Pompey the Great as it isn't actually his tomb.

You can choose to basically walk this track infinietly. But to make it a nice loop, keep an eye on Google Maps and there will be a point where you aren't too far from the Park of Aqueducts. Walk along to the park and take a sticky beak at the marvels and think about The Life Brian. What have the Romans ever done for us?

On the other side of the park are several metro stations which you can use to get back to central Rome.