Cliff Walk

8/10 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊Mommy Approved Smiling Faces

Memorial Boulevard (Easton’s Beach)

Newport, Rhode Island 02840

https://www.cityofnewport.com/city-hall/departments/public-services/tree-parks-open-space/cliff-walk

I’ve been to Newport too many times to count now! I’ve also walked the Cliff Walk several times. Never had I walked the entire thing. It offers beautiful landscaping, gorgeous ocean views, iconic land makes such as Salve Regina, the Breakers Mansions, the Forty steps staircase and more. Our favorite part and it’s unanimous, would be the two tunnels we walked through. They are awesome and create a playful and intriguing element to the cliff walk. At first, I was pretty hesitant to enter the tunnel because I didn’t know if it was truly part of the trail. One was fairly lengthy and dark so you are not able to see the exit and the other is short and well lit with the sky as a backdrop.  The kids and I loved passing through them because it made us feel like true explorers charting new territory!

It’s just so pretty in Newport, Rhode Island in general.  It is actually a well-known tourist destination if you didn’t know.  Rightfully so!  There is a beautiful coast, delicious restaurants serving up amazing, fresh seafood, local shops and many amenities drawing families and coast lovers in from all over.  My favorite time to visit is during the off season when the crowds die down and you can truly enjoy the location and what it has to offer.  Because the Cliff Walk is coastal and FREE, it is usually pretty well-trafficked, but when visited in the off-season it won’t have too many pedestrians and the calmness and serenity can really be enjoyable.

We have visited in January when the weather was a typical January day in New England-cold and grey!  Then we trekked through all the rougher and rockier terrain heading towards Reject’s Beach.  It really wasn’t that challenging for us.  It took a while of walking and climbing for us to reach the end and we were both so proud.  We completed the path on 2 separate occasions each with a couple hours spend walking and relaxing throughout.  On the colder days there are obviously less people than the warmer days which is to be expected.  But, those can still be quite lovely.

Typically students, leashed dogs and caregivers with strollers can be found on the paved portion of this trail ( toward the entrance on Memorial Blvd).  Because the trail does extend for 6+ miles, there are some parts that aren’t easy for strollers so that portion is less busy.  Either way, I’m sure you and your family will enjoy the scenery and be blown away by both the natural and material beauty in this prestigious location.  It is a must-see!

 

 

 

 

You should take your furry friends with you while visiting Newport.  They will love all the outside time with you. 

The Skinny:

• Weather :  Visit on a nice, dry day ideally because it is a full sun outdoor, coastal location.
• Parking and Admissions : FREE admissions, parking can be a crapshoot *see tips below for more on this.
• Location : All Trails says that this is a 6.6 mile trail.  It is a great area for hikers, joggers, bird watchers and those going for a leisurely walk. The coast is visible throughout the walk with railings when the paths get narrower and more elevated.  There are some openings to the water so use caution.  This path is the back yard to many prestigious mansions in the area.  Most of which, you can’t see too well from the path due to high walls and fences.  It is a beautiful trail though, especially great for ocean lovers!  The first half is stroller / wheel-chair friendly then rocks and stairs prevent further exploration if you are with wheels.
• Hours : Sunrise to sunset everyday
• Duration : We spent almost 3 hours here at a time and didn’t finish the Cliff Walk on our first day from Memorial Blvd.  We walked a bit beyond the Chinese Tea House.  The second day we parked on Sheppard Ave and continued on to complete the hike.  We were there another 2 and a half hours with the rest of the hike and the walk back to the car.  At that time my son was four and a half so older children would of course walk faster.
• Tips and Recommendations : Leashed dog-friendly,  paved walkways (not fully but a long stretch in the beginning towards Memorial Blvd). Definitely wear good walking shoes, no flip flops especially for the later portion of this hike due to the rocks and a lot of walking so you can be comfortable.  I can only think of one public outhouse we found on the path. 
• *There are several entrances and exits onto the path such as :

             Memorial Boulevard (Easton’s Beach area) * we started our hike here on the first day we ventured here.  We found a metered spot which doesn’t typically happen in the tourist season-another reason we like the off season so much!

             Narragansett Avenue which is by the 40 Steps has free parking on both sides of the road if you can find it.  it also has a public restroom.

            Webster Street-not sure if parking is permitted here as they was damage to this area during a storm in 2022.

           Sheppard Avenue* We parked here to do the south portion of the hike but we did have to repeat a bit of what we already did.

           Ruggles Avenue, ( no parking here permitted unless you have a Newport Fishing license)

           Marine Avenue,

          Ledge Road, (I don’t think you can park here-correct me if I’m mistaken)

          Bellevue Avenue at the east end of Bailey’s Beach (AKA Reject’s Beach).

Jamison Approved 👍🏼

Jewel would have liked this location with its tunnels and coastline too but she wasn’t with us the day we went here.

 

We also enjoyed going to Morton Park Playground.  It has a merry-go-round, slides, climbing structures, a zip-line, swings and daffodils in season.

A few of our favorite restaurants include The Mooring, Perro Salado, and Pasta Beach.

Let us know if you try it out and what your thoughts are.  This area has several other great locations within close proximity such as Sachuest Point, Norman Bird Sanctuary and Save the Bay Exploration Center Aquarium. (this has a new location in downtown Newport)

Hope you enjoy this fun adventure!