Little Rhody has wonderful walking routes to discover more of this scenic New England state. From blustery bracing walks along the coastline to harder hikes along unpaved trails, there is something to suit all abilities and fitness levels. So, whether you are into military history, mansions, or just magnificent scenery, here are some of the best walks in Rhode Island.
1. Rocky Point Park, Warwick
Rocky Point Park was an amusement park on the Narragansett Bay shore. Being an amusement park, it had many rides and cottages for the workers. The amusement park operated for over 100 years until it closed in 1995. The owners went bankrupt, and the park soon fell into disrepair. Today, there is a mile-long paved path along the shore and through grasslands, which takes you by remnants of amusement rides and historical placards. It is a quirky walk with lots to look at and great views.
2. Neutaconkanut Hill Conservancy, Providence
Neutaconkanut Hill Conservancy is located on Legion Memorial Drive in central Providence. It is a pretty wilderness park resplendent with forests, fields, and wildflower-filled meadows. As you explore the park, keep your eyes peeled for the abundance of wildlife that calls that park home, including deer, foxes, and wild turkeys. The park also has a skate park, pool, and playing fields.
By Kenneth C. Zirkel – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
3. Sakonnet Greenway Trail, Middleton
4. Blackstone River Valley, Blackstone
The Blackstone River Valley is a National Historical Park, and many historians consider it the birthplace of the American industrial revolution. The Blackstone River Valley stretches from Worcester in Massachusetts to Providence in Rhode Island. In the Rhode Island section, there is the Blackstone Bikeway which allows you to explore the natural beauty of the Blackstone Valley by bike. Of course, there are also many pathways in that park that offer wonderfully tranquil walks.
5. Cliff Walk, Newport
The 7-mile-long Cliff Walk in Newport starts near Easton’s Beach. This route offers brilliant, sweeping ocean views. You can see Aquidneck Island and the southern Massachusetts coast, including the Sakonett Lighthouse and, on clear days, Martha’s Vineyard. On one side of the Cliff Walk is the ocean crashing against the cliffs, and on the other are magnificent, grandiose mansions, some of the best the East Coast offers.Â
6. Boyden Heights, Providence
Overlooking a pretty cove and the Providence River, Boyden Heights is a wonderful destination for a tranquil walk in nature. There are a wide variety of walking routes from which to choose, but all are incredibly beautiful. The walks here are great for wildlife enthusiasts, especially bird lovers, as you’ll frequently see swans, ducks, and several other species of birds, including orioles, yellow finches, and woodpeckers.
7. Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route
The 680-mile (1,090km) Washington–Rochambeau Revolutionary Route follows in the footsteps of the Continental Army. The French and American troops took this route in 1781 when they marched for 14 weeks from Newport in Rhode Island to Yorktown in Virginia. In the state of Rhode Island, the route takes you to the Joy Homestead. This is where Job Joy and his family watched General Rochambeau and his French army march by. The route also takes you to Butts Hill Fort, commonly called Fort Butts, the largest Revolutionary War earthen fort in southern New England.
