Mention Newport, Rhode Island and The Classic Coast, and most instantly think of world-class festivals and events, historic Gilded Age mansions and museums, cobblestone streets, picturesque strolls, and of course—arguably the best seafood around. Surrounded by water, crisp New England air, and the feeling of being connected yet unplugged, The Classic Coast is also home to the most unique and stunning hiking, walking and outdoor spots. While we might not have mountain peaks and thousands of miles of trails, our nine coastal communities deliver some serious views.

With the guidance of local wellness expert Meredith Ewenson, we will be taking you to some incredible hikes and spots to get outdoors in our coastal communities. Think: trails with panoramic ocean views and rocky terrain, a state park with Hollywood ties, and beaches that scream New England summer. 

Follow along for the best hikes and spots to get outdoors on The Classic Coast below.

Coastal Community Hikes

Looking for hikes on The Classic Coast? We've got you covered.

  1. Cliff Walk, Newport
  2. Sakonnet Greenway Trail, Portsmouth
  3. Beavertail Lighthouse Loop, Jamestown
  4. Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, Middletown
  5. Claire D. Macintosh Wildlife Refuge, Bristol
  6. Touisset Marsh Wildlife Refuge, Warren
  7. East Bay Bike Path, Barrington
  8. Wilbour Woods, Little Compton
  9. Fort Barton, Tiverton

Cliff Walk, Newport

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There's a reason people travel from all over the world to step foot on Newport's 3.5-mile Cliff Walk: It's because it's remarkably unlike anything else. It's where the serenity of salt air and the familiar sound of crashing waves meets with the awe of Gilded Age architecture. And when it comes to walking/hiking its serene paths, you have your pick of intensity. 

Tips From Meredith

🥾  3.5 miles point-to-point, 7 miles round trip
👍🏼  Terrain is varied: starting at Memorial Blvd. is mostly flat, paved walkways; starting at Ledge Rd. is uneven rock
🚙  Metered parking spots can be found on Memorial Blvd. at Easton’s Beach or on Narragansett Ave. at 40 Steps
🏫  Restrooms & water fountains are seasonally available at Narragansett Ave.
🐶  Dogs allowed
🌊  Viewing spots & benches along the trail
🏄‍♂️  If the surf is high, stop at Ruggles Ave. to watch the surfers
⛔  Follow the signs for the small construction detour between Narragansett Ave. & Webster Ave

 

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Sakonnet Greenway Trail, Portsmouth

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The Sakonnet Greenway Trail is the longest contiguous nature trail on Aquidneck Island. The 10-mile path offers views of wildlife across meadows and woodlands as well as pastoral views of farms and agricultural landscapes while passing through notable locations including Aquidneck Farms, Newport National Golf Club, Newport Vineyards and more. 

Tips From Meredith

🥾  10 miles, various paths
👍🏼  Mostly flat woods & fields, muddy after rain!
🚙  Free parking, multiple locations: Linden Lane, Bramans Lane, Wyatt Road, Newport Vineyards*
🏫  NO restrooms or water
🐶  Dogs allowed
🐴  Shared trail with horses, please yield
🪳 Ticks are prevalent! Prepare, stay on trail, check you & your dogs after
⛔  Leave no trace — “carry in & carry out” all your trash
❗ Be aware that there are street crossings at some parts of this trail

 

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Beavertail Lighthouse Loop, Jamestown

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Located at the southernmost tip of Conanicut Island in neighboring Jamestown, the Beavertail Lighthouse Loop offers panoramic views of Narragansett Bay, with the perfect blend of natural beauty and history, plus it is a generally easy route to complete.

Pro Tip: The tower at the lighthouse remains open, and invites visitors on select days to climb up to the top for sweeping views of the bay— not to mention it is a good way to get some extra steps in.

Tips From Meredith

🥾  2.3 mile loop
👍🏼  Mostly flat woods & grass trails, muddy after rain!
🌊  Ocean & rocky coastline views 
🚙  Free parking, 4 lots each with trailhead access
🏫  Lighthouse museum is open seasonally, restroom kiosks outside
🐶  Dogs allowed
🪳 Ticks are prevalent! Prepare, stay on trail, check you & your dogs after
⛔  Leave no trace — “carry in & carry out” all your trash
❗ Be mindful on the rocks. They can be slippery when wet or covered in moss & can crumble when dry.

 

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Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, Middletown

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One of five national wildlife refuges in Rhode Island, Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge is home to 242 acres that offer an important stopover and wintering area for migratory birds in Middletown. Situated on the coast overlooking the ocean, a hike at Sachuest Point is relatively flat and easy, and offers scenic views without having to climb.

Tips From Meredith

🥾 2.4 mile loop (with an option to cut it short by about half if you want)
👍🏼 Flat gravel path, navigable for some wheelchairs & strollers
🌊 Viewing platforms & benches along the trail
🐶 No dogs allowed
🦉 Popular area for birders!
🚙 Free parking, 2 van accessible spots
🏫 Visitor Center with indoor restrooms & educational exhibits, check seasonal hours
❗Please don’t feed the wildlife. Leave no trace & pack out your trash.

 

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Claire D. Macintosh Wildlife Refuge, Bristol

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Welcome to Claire D. Macintosh Wildlife Refuge in Bristol, also home to the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium. Aside from offering educational programming year-round, the trails and boardwalk here take you on a mile long (ADA accessible) trail through marshes and wetlands, and passes by the East Bay Bike Path. Don't miss the pollinator garden, located next to the nature center, and sit back and enjoy the covered picnic tables after your adventure. 

Tips From Meredith

🥾 1 mile out & back
👍🏼 Easy ADA certified accessible hard-packed crushed stone trail and wooden boardwalk
🌊 Viewing platforms & a few benches along the trail
🦅 Osprey nests right on the trail, lots of birds & nature sounds!
🚲 Access point to the East Bay Bike Path
🐶 No dogs allowed
🚙 Free parking
🥪 Covered picnic tables
🏫 Audubon Society of Rhode Island Nature Center & Aquarium with indoor restrooms, water fountains, & educational exhibits (exhibit entry may have a cost), check seasonal hours
❗Please don’t feed the wildlife. Leave no trace & pack out your trash.

 

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Touisset Marsh Wildlife Refuge, Warren

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When in Warren, head to the Touisset Marsh Wildlife Refuge, managed by the Audubon Society of Rhode Island. Filled with hardwood forests, open fields, salt marshes, and scenic views, this 1.2 mile loop is an easy hike. Watch out for seasonal wetness, especially after it rains. 

Tips From Meredith

🥾 1.2 mile loop
👍🏼 Trails can be muddy after rain
🚙 Free parking
🐶 No dogs allowed
🦊 Keep an eye out for wildlife! Deer, fox, bunnies & lots of birds are known to make this preserve home
🪳Ticks are prevalent! Prepare, stay on trail, check yourself after
🏫 NO restrooms or water
❗Please don’t feed the wildlife. Leave no trace & pack out your trash.

 

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East Bay Bike Path, Barrington

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The East Bay Bike Path weaves through coves, marshes, parks and bridges offering a scenic journey from Providence to Bristol along the shore of Narragansett Bay. 

Tips From Meredith

🥾 3.85 miles one way (Barrington section)
👍🏼 Paved path, accessible for wheelchairs & strollers
🚴‍♂️ Popular for cycling, rollerblading, running, & walking
🚶This is a shared path — walkers keep left, cyclists keep right for safety
🐶 Dogs allowed
🚙 Free parking (Police Cover Park, Veteran Memorial Park, Haines Memorial State Park)
🏫 Restrooms available at Haines Memorial State Park only
⛔ Be aware that the path occasionally crosses with roads
❗Please don’t feed the wildlife. Leave no trace & pack out your trash.

 
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Wilbour Woods, Little Compton

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A short but sweet walk through Wilbour Woods in Little Compton. Think: wooden bridges, rare oak holly trees, and a meandering brook leading the way.  

Tips From Meredith

🥾 1 mile Loop
👍🏼 Path is carriage road & woodland trails
🐶 Dogs allowed
🚙 Free Parking - drive past the main entrance down the carriage road & park in the unmarked pull-off parking spaces next to the Dander Brook
🪳Ticks are prevalent! Prepare, stay on trail, check yourself after
🍽️ Picnic Tables & Grills for public use
🏫 No Restrooms or Water
❗Please don’t feed the wildlife. Leave no trace & pack out your trash.

 
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Fort Barton, Tiverton

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With a storied past as an American Revolutionary War fort, this now public park is hope to an observation tower, miles of wooded trails, historic markets, and incredible views of the Sakonnet River and the Mount Hope Bridge. 

Tips From Meredith

🥾 ~3 Mile Lollipop Loop (Red Trail)
👍🏼 Path wooded trails, stairs, & wooden bridges over running brooks
🐶 Dogs allowed
🔸 Wear blaze orange during hunting season (hunting is not allowed here, but is permitted on nearby land)
🚙 Free Parking on Highland Road — Spaces are limited (approx. 12)
🪳Ticks are prevalent! Prepare, stay on trail, check yourself after
🏰 Climb the Sakonnet River Observation Tower for panoramic views of Narragansett Bay
✍🏼 History! Fort Barton is the site of a historic American Revolutionary War fort
🏫 Restrooms & Water available across the street at Town Hall
❗Please don’t feed the wildlife. Leave no trace & pack out your trash.

 

More Info

 

Get Outdoors

The outdoors are calling. Are you ready to answer?

  1. Fort Adams, Newport
  2. Purgatory Chasm, Middletown
  3. Fort Wetherill, Jamestown

Fort Adams, Newport

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Welcome to the largest coastal fortification in the U.S. Step back in time as you take the Fort Adams Bay Walk, that winds along Narragansett Bay offering unobstructed views of many landmarks on both the west and east side, or trek the maze of underground tunnels and visit the quarters where officers and their families lived more than a century ago.

Tips From Meredith

🥾 2.2 mile coastal loop
👍🏼 Paved trail, Stroller-friendly & ADA-accessible
🐶 Dogs allowed
🚙 Free Parking
🏫 Restrooms & Water on-site
🪳Ticks are prevalent! Prepare, stay on trail, check yourself after
✍🏼 History! Fort Adams served the U.S. Navy for ten years & the U.S. Army for more than a century
🏯 Don’t miss the Eisenhower House which was once the summer White House of President Dwight D. Eisenhower
❗Leave no trace & pack out your trash. Please don’t feed wildlife.

 

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Purgatory Chasm, Middletown

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Peep—Purgatory Chasm; a natural wonder hiding (sorta) on the coast of Middletown, RI, overlooking Second Beach. This 160-foot long cliff offers a short trail, just 100-yards from the parking lot, to view this hidden geological gem. Always be safe and always stay on the paths provided when exploring.

Tips From Meredith

🥾 Less than 1 mile
🐶 Dogs allowed
🚙 Free Parking — Spaces are limited (approx. 8)
🏫 No Restrooms or Water
🪳Ticks are prevalent! Prepare, stay on trail, check yourself after
🪨 Geology nerds will love this one!
🌊 Views of surfers at Second Beach & Sachuest Point
⛔ Be aware of the open rock ledges on the coast, they can be slippery & dangerous
❗Leave no trace & pack out your trash. Please don’t feed wildlife.

 

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Fort Wetherill, Jamestown

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Once occupied as a coastal defense battery and training camp during the American Revolution, Fort Wetherill in Jamestown sits atop 100-foot-high granite cliffs across the water from Fort Adams State Park with unparalleled views of Narragansett Bay. In 2012, the park's dreamy landscape was the filming location for Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom.

Looking for a little bit of grunge? The physical fort is somewhat of a graffiti masterpiece. 

Tips From Meredith

🥾 A couple miles of hiking trails
🌊 Ocean views from various lookouts
🐶 Dogs allowed
🚙 Free Parking
🏫 Restrooms (May 1 to Oct 31)
🍽️ Picnic Tables
✍🏼 History! Former coastal defense battery and training camp dating back to the American Revolution, you’ll see the former structures throughout the park
🤿 Popular scuba diving site
🪳Ticks are prevalent! Prepare, stay on trail, check yourself after
⛔ Rocks can be slippery & dangerous
❗Leave no trace & pack out your trash. Please don’t feed wildlife.

 

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