Newport Cliff Walk
- Jun 2
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 5
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The Newport Rhode Island Cliff Walk is a unique east coast natural attraction. Located on the shore of Aquidneck Island, the 3.5 miles (5.6km) Cliff Walk is one of the best things to do in Newport RI. On one side of the trail are the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean. On the other side, the Cliff Walk passes the rolling lawns of the spectacular Newport mansions. Along the route enjoy breathtaking vistas.
The terrain of the trail varies ranging from flat tar to rocky. Some portions of the path are an easy trek; others require short spans of strenuous hiking. Our article on the Cliff Walk in Newport Rhode Island will cover all of the information you need to plan your day.
NEWPORT RI TOURS
NEWPORT CLIFF WALK COST & OPENING 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.
NEWPORT RHODE ISLAND CLIFF WALK ENTRY POINTS
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.
TRIP ESSENTIALS
In Newport, and almost every travel destination, I find myself reaching for my Eddie Bauer Rainfoil Jacket, Frogg Toggs Hat, and Merrell Hiking Boots.
Other items I rely on include my Huk Sunglasses and Contigo Autoseal Water Bottle (no spills in the backpack).
But by far, my number one can’t-do-without essential is my Sony RX100 Compact Camera. It fits perfectly into a pocket. Or, mounted on a Mini-Tripod it slips into my Travelon Sling Bag.
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NEWPORT CLIFF WALK 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.
CLIFF WALK 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.
HOTELS IN NEWPORT RI
Click here for information on Car Rental rates and reservations.
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.
CLIFF WALK IN NEWPORT RHODE ISLAND MARKERS
There are 16 points of interest on the Cliff Walk. Markers along the trail note the points of interest. 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.
CLIFF WALK NEWPORT: 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.
THINGS TO DO IN NEWPORT RI: CLIFF WALK ATTRACTIONS
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.
CONNECTICUT TOURS &. EXCURSIONS
Cliff Walk Newport 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.
PACKING ESSENTIALS
We rely on a combination of bags: Our Level-8 28” and Level-8 20” spinners are fun and stylish. Our Delsey Helium 28” hardshell is a workhorse. Our Tomtoc Backpack is great for short trips.
Randy doesn’t use them, but I swear by segregating items into Compression Packing Cubes and Wet Bags.
For security, we place an Apple Air Tag in each bag, and keep a supply of RFID Blocking Sleeves on hand.
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Ochre Point Surfers
There is an area by Ochre Point where there are often surfers in the water.
Cliff Walk 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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