Newport’s Cliff Walk is a public shoreline path where crashing Atlantic surf meets Gilded Age architecture. The walk covers roughly three and a half miles along the eastern edge of Aquidneck Island and was designated a National Recreation Trail in 1975, the first in New England and the sixty fifth in the United States.
Cost and hours
There is no admission fee. The path is open from sunrise to sunset. Dogs are allowed but must stay on leashes, and you are expected to clean up after them. Facilities are limited, so plan ahead.
Where to start and where to park
Most first timers begin at Memorial Boulevard by Easton’s Beach, which offers metered parking, seasonal restrooms, and an easy introduction to the route. Another very popular entry is Narragansett Avenue at the Forty Steps. Additional access points appear at Ruggles Avenue, Marine Avenue, and Ledge Road. City regulations set a four hour parking limit in many Cliff Walk zones, with meters operating from nine in the morning to nine at night between May and October at two dollars per hour.
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Terrain, difficulty, and time
About two thirds of the walk is considered easy. The northern stretch from Memorial Boulevard to Narragansett Avenue is paved and has no stairs, although width and grade vary and it is not fully ADA compliant. South of Narragansett Avenue the surface changes to ledge, crushed stone, and natural rock. If you stroll the full distance without many stops, expect roughly two and a half hours one way. Sturdy shoes and a water bottle are smart choices.
What you will see on the mansion side
Ochre Court, owned by Salve Regina University, is the second largest house in Newport. The Breakers, built for Cornelius Vanderbilt II between 1893 and 1895, contains seventy rooms and sits on a thirteen acre property. Marble House was completed in 1892 as a birthday gift from William K. Vanderbilt to Alva Vanderbilt, and its Chinese Tea House was added from 1912 to 1914 by the firm Hunt and Hunt. Rosecliff, modeled after the Grand Trianon at Versailles, is noted for having the largest ballroom in Newport. Rough Point, once the home of heiress Doris Duke, crowns the southern end with sweeping ocean views.
Smart tips for first timers
Sixteen trail markers with QR codes were installed in 2015 to give quick facts on geology and mansions, so keep a phone handy. The path crosses private property in many places, so stay on the marked route and respect fences. Some cliff edges drop abruptly and wet rock can be slick. Services thin out once you leave the main access points, so bring what you need and pack out your trash.
With a little preparation, your first Cliff Walk becomes an easy win: free ocean views, history at every turn, and more than enough scenery to fill those seven awe inspiring photos.
