Newport Cliff Walk

The Cliff Walk is a RI attraction that captures the natural and man-made beauty of Newport. The 3.5 mile walk is perfect for a stroll with a loved one or a change of scenary for your daily jog. Breathtaking architecture surround the ocean view trail. The Cliff Walk starts at Memorial Boulevard however access points are also available at the ends of Cliff Terrace and Seaview Ave. Parking is available at Newport's Easton's Beach (First Beach) or at parking meters on Memorial Boulevard.

The walk is thought to be originally outlined by deer. Historians believe that the Narragansett Indians and colonists later used the trail to gather ship wrecked items from the ocean. Later in the 1800s, wealthhy New Yorkers decided to build masions over looking the shore-line. Over the years estate owners took it upon themselves to further develop the walk. However, they have also taken it upon their own hands to relocate the natural path clasiming it ran through their "private property." The walk gained recognition in 1975 when it was named a National Recreational Trail, the first in New England.

The walk is mostly in very good condition and mostly paved. Parts of the southern half of the walk are a rough trail over the natural rocky shore line. When taking the walk be careful of your foot placement. Spots just a couple of feet from the path are abrupt drops of over 70 feet which are often hidden from nature's plants. As you walk further south you have to scramble from rock to rock. So leave the sandles at home and bring your best pair of walking shoes.

Personally what would I recommend? Take one other person to enjoy the scenary with you. Maybe you and a friend could go for a run in the morning. Or perhaps you could take that special someone you've been eyeing for a while on a romanic walk at sunset. Oh and don't forget your camera :)