Don’t let the cooler weather keep you indoors. Rhode Island has plenty of scenic areas to explore, so don your hiking gear and get out and breathe some fresh air.
Here are some of the best hiking trails our state has to offer, but there are certainly many more you can check out.
Barrington
Osamequin Nature Sanctuary
This is Rhode Island’s most extensive and pristine coastal marsh. It features 1.5 miles of well-marked trails, each color-coded so you won’t get lost. Each trail highlights various eco-systems. Ospreys nest in the area and there’s a bird viewing area too, so bring your binoculars.
Exeter
Breakheart Loop – Hicks Trail and Newman Trail
The first mile winds uphill into West Greenwich on an old gravel and dirt road. Then the trail passes by a pond and waterfalls and intersects numerous other trails, so it possible to extend your hike. However, the loop around the pond is only about 1.5 miles total. Orange vests are needed during hunting season.
Middletown
Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge
This popular hiking area is ideal as it is easily traversed by almost anyone. It’s relatively flat and each of the two gravel loops is less than two miles long. Even though these walks are short, they offer great sea views, many bird species including an occasional snowy owl, and deer.
Newport
Cliff Walk
Yes, this walk is often busy, but it is so worth it. It winds 3.5 miles along the eastern shore of Newport and offers sea side views of the Newport mansions. You’ll not only enjoy some of the finest architecture Newport has to offer, but also wildflowers, birds, and interesting geological features.
Providence
Neutaconkanut Hill
This urban park is a hidden gem within Providence. It offers well-marked trails and the highest lookout in Providence. The inclines vary, but all trails are suitable for beginners. If you do the entire loop, you’ll get a good workout.
Roger Williams Park
This park offers 5 trails of varying difficulty from short and easy to lengthy and difficult. The shortest is less than half a mile round trip, while the longest is 3.2 miles on unpaved terrain. All trails are well-marked and visitors may see woodlands, flowers, waterfowl, fountains, statues, and more.
Smithfield
Wolf Hill Forest Preserve
This preserve offers the Mary Mowry and Mercer Trails and the World War II Memorial Loop. The Memorial Loop includes an Army Air Corps airplane crash site from 1943. Mary Mowry Trail is very steep and rocky, but Mercer Trail is only about one mile long and suitable for all hikers.
Tiverton
Wetamoo Woods & Pardon Gray Preserve
This area features seven miles of well-marked trails through wooded areas as well as major, less challenging trails, each with areas of interest. See a slab bridge, saw mill remains, an arched bridge, a stone and earthen dam, or the historic Pardon Gray cemetery.
West Greenwich
Tillinghast Pond
This area is maintained by the Nature Conservancy and offers some of the most pristine natural beauty in southern New England. The eight trails/loops offer various aspects of Rhode Island’s largest forest. Take the family for a short stroll or traverse 13-miles and make a day of it.
Westerley
Dr. John Champlin Glacier Park
This park includes 134 acres and 8 trails which pass through a variety of landscapes. Explore canyons, kettles, sand barrens, ponds, and ridges overlooking Winnapaug Pond, Block Island Sound, Block Island, and Long Island. The glacier trail is 2.1 miles long and good for hiking, walking, nature trips, and birding.
