Via Appia/Appia Way - Stage 04 - Grottaglie to Taranto

This is the fourth stage of the Via Appia by foot, from the (unofficial stop) in Grottaglie to the harbour town of Taranto.

Link to Stage 03: http://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=15208878
Link to Stage 05: http://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=15206611

The track follows the Via Appia Antica loosely as it's not possible to hike the original route anymore. In large part because the old road have been upgraded over the centuries and is now a highway in some section or a main provincial road where cars are speeding by you. In other sections, the road is simply gone. Instead, I've searched for nice roads, a little away from any main roads where there is a lot less traffic (or none at all).
On the original Via Appia, the road would have passed through San Giorgio Ionico and Carosino, but there are no nice track to pass through these 2 towns other than via the main roads, so I decided to take a bit more liberty with the trail and found a much more enjoyable trail. Where possible, it will pass through the centre of towns to allow some local site-seeing and a chance to resupply.

As far as I could find out, Grottaglie is not on the original Via Appia, but is a good half-way point between Oria and Taranto.

The track starts at the train station, but doen't go through Grottaglie. It follows a main road for a little while to pass the highway and the train track, but soon after, it takes a different road and small tracks. Along the way, you'll come across a lot of vineyards as well as olive yards. After around 7 km, you'll come to the outskirts of Monteiasi, but the track doesn't take you through the town.

The track continues and when your odometer reaches around 13 km, you’ll get to the entry of the WWF Oasis called “Palude la Vela”. If it’s open, you can enter it and take a break on one of the benches and watch the birds.

After that, you’ll come to a busy road and you’ll need to follow it for around 750 meters. After that, you’re back on smaller tracks through the fields. Around 17km, you’ll come on another large road. Just before your odometer reaches 18km, you have the option for a small detour to the shopping centre, which includes a McDonalds.
When your odometer reaches 19 km, you’ll be in the outskirts of Taranto. After passing a small open area, you’ll be more or less on a strait road all the way to the sea side (odometer 22.5 km). At the sea side, you’ll find some steps taking you on a nice track along the seaside. After around 500 meter, you’ll take the steps up again and follow the waterfront and the cross the bridge. After the bridge, follow the waterfront on the lake site. This might be a good time for food and drinks.

Just before your odometer reached 25 km, you’ll cross another bridge and you’ll be at the train station.

Enjoy the trail end leave a comment. In particular if you know some interesting waypoints should be included or an alternate track that could/should be used. Any information is much appreciated.