Newport Cliff Walk
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The Newport Cliff Walk is a unique Rhode Island attraction. Located on the eastern shore of Aquidneck Island, the 3.5 miles (5.6km) Cliff Walk is one of Newport, RI’s best things to do at any time of year.
The east side of the Cliff Walk is on the Atlantic Ocean’s Easton Bay. The west side of the trail passes the backyards of some spectacular Newport mansions (including the Breakers and the famous Marble House Chinese Tea Room). Along the route there are endless vistas to enjoy.
The terrain of the trail varies ranging from flat tar to rocky coast. Some portions of the Cliff Walk are an easy trek; others require short spans of strenuous hiking. Our article will cover all of the information you need to plan your day.
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ENTRY AND HOURS
Entrance to the Cliff Walk is free. The trail is open daily from sunrise to sunset. In the inclement weather water, snow, and ice on the trail can make conditions slippery/treacherous.
CLIFF WALK POINTS OF ACCESS
The trail can be trekked in either direction. Most walkers begin the route at the west end of Easton Beach by Memorial Avenue (restrooms, parking, and paved trail). There are alternate entrance points at Narragansett Avenue, Webster Street, Sheppard Avenue, Ruggles Avenue, Marine Avenue, Ledge Road, and Bellevue Avenue at the east end of Bailey's Beach.
PARKING & TROLLEY
Memorial Boulevard at Easton’s Beach: From May 1 – October 31st metered daily parking is in effect from 9am until 9pm. Cost is $2 per hour. From November 1 – April 30th there is no fee for parking at the meters, but there is a 3 hour limit until 6 pm daily.
Narragansett Avenue by Forty Steps: There is a pay-by-plate machine that allows up to 4 hours of parking. Cash and credit cards are accepted. Cost is $1.25 per hour with 3 hour limit.
The Newport RIPTA Trolley makes regular stops at Easton’s Beach (Cliff Walk west end) and Bailey’s Beach (Cliff Walk east end). The route runs about every 20 minutes in the summer. Stops are less frequent in the winter.
RESTROOMS AND WATER
There are restrooms available at the Easton’s Beach and at the Forty Steps entrance (open seasonally). There is no food or drink for sale along the route. Tap water is available at rest rooms (open seasonally).
PETS
Leashed pets are allowed. Owners are expected to pick up after their pets.
ASSISTIVE DEVICES & BIKES
The best portion of the Cliff Walk for any type of assistive device (walkers, wheelchairs, canes) or strollers is the paved portion. This runs between Easton Beach (Marker 1) and Anglesea (Marker 8). Note: There are no steps between Memorial Boulevard and Narragansett Avenue (markers 2 and 3). Bicycles are not allowed on the trail.
TRAIL TERRAIN
There are 16 Point of Interest markers along the Cliff Walk. The trail is divided into 3 levels of difficulty and the markers can be used to navigate these terrains.
Easy: Paved portion of the path roughly between markers 1 – 8.
Moderate: Unpaved portion of path roughly between markers 8-12 (with a small portion of “difficult” trail between markers 8 and 9).
Difficult: Unpaved portion of path with rocks and boulders roughly between markers 12 and 15 (with moderate terrain between markers 15 and 16).
SAFETY
There are steep cliffs along many sections of the trail. There are rocky portions of the trail, crumbling asphalt, and poison ivy trail-side. The Cliff Walk experiences high winds and temperature shifts with wet or icy surfaces. Extreme care should be taken when navigating the trail, especially with small children.
SUGGESTED WALKING ROUTES
Easy Walk: Stroll along a paved portion of trail between Easton’s Beach (marker 1) and Ochre Point (around marker 8). The distance is about a 2 mile round trip. Plan for about a 45 minute walk.
Longer Walk: It is a lovely walk from Easton’s Beach to the Marble House Chinese Tea House if you are able to navigate the moderate terrain (unpaved path). This route is about a 5 mile round trip. Plan for about 2 hour walk.
Short, Scenic Route: For a short, scenic route on a relatively flat paved portion of the trail, park at Forty Steps (marker 3) and travel east on the trail until the Breakers (marker 7). It is approximately 1 mile. Plan for a .5 hour walk.
POINTS OF INTEREST
Ocean Views: There are stunning ocean views the entire length of the Newport Cliff Walk. It is the sole National Recreation Trail located inside a National Historic District!
Forty Steps: The area has a paved scenic lookout with benches and a staircase (40 steps) descending to the Atlantic Ocean below. At one time, the area was a gathering space for the servants who worked in the Gilded Age mansions. It was a space they could relax on their (limited) time off. Today, the steps allow visitors access to the water for fishing, swimming, and watching the waves crash against the rocks. Be warned, the rocks are often slippery.
Salve Regina University: About mid-way on the walk, visitors will pass the 80 acre oceanside campus of Salve Regina University. The school’s main administration building was once the Goelet family’s Ochre Court mansion, designed by Richard Morris Hunt.
Cliff Walk Mansions: Situated along the Cliff Walk are many mansions including the Breakers, Angelsea, Rosecliff, Beechwood, and Marble House with the Chinese Tea House. It is fun to see the mansion’s “back yards” and gardens, but be aware there is no access from the Cliff Walk to the mansions. Do not trespass. Also, due to strategic landscaping, many of the properties on the walk are hidden from view while strolling the path.
Ochre Point Surfers: There is an area by Ochre Point where there are often surfers in the water.
Beaches: There are sandy beaches to walk at either end of the Cliff Walk (Easton’s Beach and Bailey’s Beach). In addition, along the route there are expanses of rocky beach that visitors can comb.
Enjoy the east coast views, Laura and Randy
For more information on traveling to Newport, Rhode Island, read our articles on:
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