One of my most asked questions is – What Rhode Island hike do you recommend?

And while distance, difficulty, accessibility, views, and other factors play into where I might recommend for you, these 9 best hikes near Newport, Rhode Island are hand-picked as the best from each town on the classic coast.

Ranging from 1 mile to 10+ miles, wooded trails to ocean views, popular to off the beaten path – there’s something for everyone.

So, no matter where in the area you happen to be visiting, we have something for you.

This series was created last summer in paid partnership with Discover Newport, the tourism board for Newport and Bristol Counties.

Here’s our roundup of the best 9 hikes near Newport, Rhode Island on the Classic Coast:

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

The Cliff Walk is an absolute must-visit when in Newport any time of year. With the ocean on one side and historic, gilded age mansions on the other, it’s surely to be one of the most unique hikes you’ve ever done!

🎥 Watch this Reel for a virtual tour 🎥

➡️ AllTrails Route Map (30% off AllTrails+ Membership with code MEREDITH30)

Trail Guide:

🥾  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

Sakonnet Greenway Trail, Portsmouth

I love how these beautiful trails weave through different landscapes like woods, farms, and fields — all thanks to the conservation efforts by Aquidneck Land Trust who has been preserving open space on Aquidneck Island since 1990.

🎥 Watch this Reel for a virtual tour 🎥

➡️ AllTrails Route Map (30% off AllTrails+ Membership with code MEREDITH30)

Trail Guide:

🥾  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

Beavertail Lighthouse Loop, Jamestown

The perfect blend of natural beauty and history! Did you know? The first Beavertail Lighthouse was built in 1749 and was the premier lighthouse in Rhode Island, third in the country following the 1716 Boston Harbor light and the 1746 Great Point light on Nantucket.

🎥 Watch this Reel for a virtual tour 🎥

➡️ AllTrails Route Map (30% off AllTrails+ Membership with code MEREDITH30)

Trail Guide:

🥾  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.

Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, Middletown

This hike is one of my favorites! It’s a wildlife refuge, so you might see deer, bunnies, mink, and various birds. The trail goes around a point with ocean views lined with flowers and foliage. If you’re visiting Newport, Rhode Island, it’s a must. Only a 10min drive from downtown.

🎥 Watch this Reel for a virtual tour 🎥

➡️ AllTrails Route Map (30% off AllTrails+ Membership with code MEREDITH30)

Trail Guide:

🥾 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.

Claire D. Macintosh Wildlife Refuge, Bristol

In less than 1 mile this lovely trail has a lot to offer: Osprey nests, pollinator garden, marsh, views of Narragansett Bay and more, managed by RI Audubon.

🎥 Watch this Reel for a virtual tour 🎥

➡️ AllTrails Route Map (30% off AllTrails+ Membership with code MEREDITH30)

Trail Guide:

🥾 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.

Touisset Marsh Wildlife Refuge, Warren

This lovely mixed trail managed by RI Audubon has hardwood forests, open fields, salt marshes, and scenic views of Kickemuit River!

🎥 Watch this Reel for a virtual tour 🎥

➡️ AllTrails Route Map (30% off AllTrails+ Membership with code MEREDITH30)

Trail Guide:

🥾 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.

East Bay Bike Path, Barrington

This multi-town bike path is 14.5 miles in total and spans from East Providence to Bristol, passing over bridges, next to marshes, and through eight state parks.

Fun Fact: This trail is also part of the East Coast Greenway that stretches from Florida to Maine!

🎥 Watch this Reel for a virtual tour 🎥

➡️ AllTrails Route Map (30% off AllTrails+ Membership with code MEREDITH30)

Trail Guide:

🥾 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.

Wilbour Woods, Little Compton

This little loop hike is such a treat! And an ideal adventure for kids or if you’re just looking for a short walk through the woods.

🎥 Watch this Reel for a virtual tour 🎥

➡️ AllTrails Route Map (30% off AllTrails+ Membership with code MEREDITH30)

Trail Guide:

🥾 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.

Fort Barton Woods, Tiverton

Fort Barton Woods is an 83-acre historical and natural area with 3.5 miles of trails, rich in history!

🎥 Watch this Reel for a virtual tour 🎥

➡️ AllTrails Route Map (30% off AllTrails+ Membership with code MEREDITH30)

Trail Guide:

🥾 ~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.

Do you have AllTrails+ yet? Get the yearly membership at 30% off with code MEREDITH30 to unlock access to offline maps, wrong turn notifications, & other safety features.

Need a hiking boot recommendation? These are my #1 hiking boots for New England & Rhode Island in all seasons.

➡️ Have you been on any of these hikes? I’d love to know your favorites in the comments!

Follow me on Instagram at @meredithewenson for all things hiking and outdoors in Rhode Island and beyond.

And if you’re planning a trip to the Newport, Rhode Island area – make sure to follow @discovernewport and visit their blog for up-to-date info on the best local events and seasonal things to do!

This blog post may contain affiliate links which earn me a small commission, but at no cost to you. This is a small way you can support & I appreciate it!