By bicycle around Lake Bracciano

This is one of the preferred places to enjoy a  pleasant bike ride close to Rome. The tour round the shores of Lake Bracciano, the third largest volcanic lake in central Italy after Trasimeno and Bolsena, is an easy ride that winds its way along tarmacked provincial roads. The only drawback is that the roads are often used by heavy duty traffic so it’s advisable to wear a protective helmet, and to pedal with extreme caution, in single file and keeping well over to the right.
The route winds its way for 36 km. and includes a few stops in the villages overlooking the lake, to visit the towns and discover breathtaking views.
The Municipalities that face onto the lake, what is now a basin but used to be crater of the Sabatino volcano, are Bracciano, Anguillara Sabazia and Trevignano Romano. Each of these towns is an excellent starting point for our cycle tour. If one approaches the area along the Braccianese road, our cycle ride will begin from Anguillara, where one easily can park along the lakefront. Once on our bike we should start pedalling towards Trevignano, following the circular lake route anti-clockwise.
We therefore take the SP 12b, that runs very close to the lake shore. The first stretch of the provincial road is called Via Trevignanese, only to become shortly afterwards the Lungolago di Polline. Before reaching the Colle Fiorito, the SP 12b becomes the SP 4a, which comes in from the right and crosses the SP 12b.
As we skirt the lake we come across the small villages of Colle Fiorito, Grotta del Pianoro and Cala Pianorum, where one can also find excellent traditional restaurants. As one continues along the provincial road we cross the hamlets of Poggio delle Ginestre and Monticello before reaching Trevignano Romano. Here a stopover is certainly called for to take a stroll round the charming village, with its beautiful church built around 1500 in honour of Our Lady of the Assumption and from where one can enjoy a sensational view of the lake and of the Orsini family Fortress.
Once back on track, along the SP 4a, we travel for another twenty or so kilometres, passing through Bagni di Vicarello, the only exacting stretch of our tour. From here one gets a great view of the lake. By following the signposts, we pedal another few kilometres until we finally reach Bracciano, where a short climb takes us to the historic centre. Here one should certainly visit the Odescalchi Castle.
From Bracciano we continue on our route and take the via Circumlacuale. Leaving Vigna di Valle on our right we now embark upon the last stretch of our itinerary and make our way back to Anguillara.

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