Tevere Farfa Oasis

The Tevere Farfa Oasis is a natural extension produced from the reservoir of the dam and the hydroelectric Enel Central. It stretches for several kilometers. The environment is lacustrine and swamp seeds with riparian vegetation and numerous species of birds. The natural oasis extends both along the right bank of the Tiber, including the towns of Nazzano and Torrita Tiberina, and on the left bank of the river, side of Poggio Mirteto Scalo. The route only encompasses the left side of the reserve, since on the right side the great highway bridge Rome-Florence dominates, and it is very noisy.

Workload

Walking: Km 6

Difference in height: 35

Equipment

We recommend a good pair of binoculars, a text for the recognition of plants and birds, sober colors clothing, comfortable shoes and suitable for muddy terrain, water and food (doggy bag).

How to reach it

By car, from the Poggio Mirteto Scalo train station, walk 100 m. towards Rome up to a junction for Torrita Tiberina. You wiil reach, after a few meters, to a narrow metal bridge in alternating directions. Right after the bridge on the left starts a dirt road, with a sharp curve (recommended to walk a few meters ahead to a clearing where you can maneuver to go back and take the bend easily). The dirt road runs along the railway line on the left and on the right the Tiber. Walking for no more than 3 km you will come to a grassy area with the oasis sign. On the left a bar shows us not to continue with the car, on the right the dirt road continues. Here you can leave your car.

Itinerary

Watching the Tiber, continue to the left, south on the dirt road that continues slightly uphill. As soon as the road descended, take a path on the right, downhill, after no more than 50 meters you will be on the bank of the Tiber. The trail continues on the bank, shaded by various plant species, having on the right the Tiber and on the left a flat cultivated, where the way is getting wider. Travelling for about 3 km from the start, you come across a bridge. After passing the cable pulling the ferry. Continuing the way you will pass near the drainage basin that collects the waters of the plain, which until then we rode along and to get under the travertine cliffs of the promontory of the Well Field. At this point the path become very tight that widens in the vicinity of the railway sleepers. It takes a detour to the right and you get to a shed for wildlife observation. We are just at the confluence of the river Farfa with the river Tiber. Returning take the path, continuing around the promontory. When the trail goes up you get to the plateau above the Well Field, where the building of the guesthouse. Even from here, through reed walls, you can observe the fauna. The guest a dirt road runs around the headland, leading to a set of paths, near the old substation. You take a small road that runs along the right a fence and going downhill. The trail leads to a narrow valley and after about one km you arrive at the starting point and where we left the car.

What to See

The most common plant species are willows and poplars. In particular, the white willow with narrow and elongated leaves. The poplars can be easily recognized by their large leaves, ovate and ovate-webbed. There are also walnut trees.

Among the shrubs are very common viburnum and ligustrello. The banks are covered by the common reed and iris marsh. It ‘easy to meet also dense groupings of horsetail.

The basin is home to numerous species of birds, the gray heron, the teal, wigeon, mallard, pintail and the tufted folana, aquatic birds that can be easily observed. The fish in the basin are barbel, tench, chub perch and carp.

The route is a pleasant walk, and can be practiced throughout the year. Of course, during rainy periods it is not recommended for the muddiness of the land. In spring and summer it is very suitable and autumn offers the typical warm colors of the local vegetation.