From Genzano to Nemi – ring tour – Parco dei Castelli Romani

Climbing from Lake Nemi to Genzano is not recommended. You have to pass through a theoretically forbidden area with a lot of abandoned waste.

Nice trail around the lake. Along the way, after the rains of the past few days, there are currently some fallen trees.

Circular trail of Lake Nemi, starting and returning to Nemi. Very intuitive even if it lacks precise indications along the trail (you can't go wrong). It is suitable for most and suitable for cycle excursionists. The most apparently critical point is the descent from Genzano to the lake, currently blocked by the municipality. The obstacle can be circumvented and the former bumpy road is easy to travel. There are several panoramic spots to enjoy, however, at a safe distance. The descent leads to the crystalline lake where you can bivouac along the lake and feed the ducks. The steepest point, if traveled counterclockwise, is the climb back to Nemi. The trail is mostly beaten and asphalt.

…protected by my poncho I faced a light but constant rain, which kept me company for all 12 kilometers. But I have to say one thing, I like walking in weather like this every now and then, and a lot. Hearing the drops hitting the vegetation, the water dripping from the trees. And then the silence, I stopped every now and then and looked around, looking for distant noises, nothing at all, me the forest and the noise of the rain. Souls encountered? Zero! (except in Nemi obviously otherwise it would have been worrying) Parking easily found in Viale Piave in Genzano. In the backpack two red pizzas, two rectangles of spicy scrocchierella with rosemary, three pizzas with olives. The first part of the route is with low vegetation. The forest arrives when we are already in Fontan Tempesta. About an hour and a half to get to Nemi and three pizzas with olives were eaten. Refill of drinking water, tartlet and frothy coffee. I set off again to go down towards the lake. The first part is steep, bumpy and slippery. The hiking boot I have helps but not enough. I reach the level of the lake shore, from here on I will enjoy the wonderful panorama that stands out at every corner, with Genzano in front of me, the lake with the coots splashing around, and Nemi behind me. Last kilometers at a slow speed, I enjoy the scenery before starting the climb towards Genzano and closing the loop. A couple of obstacles due to the uneven path, one at the beginning of the climb, easily bypassed. The second more difficult, now arrived in Genzano. Pay particular attention ⚠️ BEWARE! ⚠️ to the metal tubes that support the barrier. Going around it I hit my shoulder, and almost my head (I have attached a photo of the barrier). Last purchases before getting back in the car, half a loaf of bread from the ancient Genzano bakery and coffee in the square.

The road that runs along the lake at the crossroads with Via di Perino which arrives directly in the center of Genzano is blocked, so I had to continue along the lake which becomes quite impervious, a path full of low shrubs and bottlenecks, to then go up further on from Via Diana.

The path from Nemi to Genzano was closed so we had to do a big detour and walk up the main road, which was steep, treeless and hot.

A well-known circular tour of Lake Nemi, but it should be noted that towards the end the route is interrupted due to falling rocks. You then follow a path on the right that runs alongside the lake and passes in front of the outlet of Lake Nemi, an artificial canal over 1 km long that served as an overflow to prevent the lake level from submerging the temple of Diana. The path then rejoins Via Diana for the return to the village. The last part is therefore on an asphalt road with cars, be careful, and uphill.

Be careful because the path ends after about 9 km. When you find the closed gate that interrupts the path, take the path on the right that runs along the lake but in the lower part. The increasingly smaller path will take you onto a driveway that then reconnects to the initial road. It is about 1.5 km longer but it is the only way to close the loop and return to the parking lot.