The Travelling Lingerie Runner

A hidden botanical wonderland of tropical balconies frames this 4,5km long path to one of the best-hidden views of the city. From the top of Rome's Monte Mario, near the end of Via Lucio Apuleio, the whole Vatican City is spread out in front of you. Feeling inspired for a religious visit? St. Peter's Dom is only two stops away by train (station: 'Roma St. Pietro').

My friend Massimo and me - we did not take the train, we went for a run. The whole route covers four train-stations, from 'Appiano Proba Petronia' to 'Monte Mario'. We started near 'Balduina', passing by some elderly ladies, a handful of serious runners, seeing the same biker three times, a leisurely woman with a guitar and the occasional sun-seeker out on a stroll underneath the piercing blue sky.

Having reached the viewpoint rather quickly and after completing the obligatory snapshot-session, we turned around. On the way back we kept going until we felt that it was time to reach the kitschen asap and to prepare some freshly cooked vegetarian Garmugia Lucchese (a traditional Tuscan dish) - and leave room for crispy Roman pizza of course! When you feel like taking a gelato-break or sipping some yummy ginseng-esspresso-coffee in a local bar (a mix between kiosk, coffee-shop and bar), you can exit the highline by one of many stairways along the way.

This highline offers the perfect occasion to relax, to enjoy a cocktail of nature and urban planning. Admire the pretty herb- and flower-boxes that are cared for by volunteers who live closeby. In the summery months the smells of rosemary and rhyncospermum (yes, that is the real name. . .) parfum the air.
Also water is plentyful. It comes in the form of Roman fountains. The trick is to close the big nozzle so that the water will stream out from the small hole on top - a more convenient way for drinking.
While this garden-path is not officially titled, this is exactly what it is. Underneath and sometimes alongside, the actual train tracks will transport you all the way from Viterbo to Ostienze. Originally the city created this roof-top garden as a means to protect the neighbourhood from the noise of the rail-traffic.

One more thing! Our hidden highline is not to be confused with the 'Tangenziale'. That new infrastructure conversion project is inspired by the New York Highline, just a lot shorter with it's projected two kilometers in length. So let's enjoy the path on Monte Mario while it is quiet and the crowds are far.