Newport Cliff Walk

This 3.5-mile coastal trail winds along Newport's eastern shoreline, offering spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean while passing by magnificent Gilded Age mansions and rugged rocky cliffs that showcase the area's natural beauty.

Originally constructed in the late 19th century to provide scenic access for wealthy residents of Newport's opulent mansions, the trail was officially designated as the 65th National Recreation Trail in 1975, becoming the first such designation in New England.

The trail provides an open-air corridor connecting visitors to Newport's architectural legacy from the Gilded Age, passing by notable mansions like The Breakers and Rough Point that exemplify the grandeur and cultural significance of America's affluent past.

The entire walk can be completed in approximately 2.5 hours with parking available at Easton's Beach and Forty Steps, though visitors should wear appropriate footwear due to uneven rocky surfaces and steep drops along certain sections of the trail.

The trail features geological formations dating back hundreds of millions of years, including Coal Age black shale and sandstone that provide valuable fossil records from the Paleozoic era, making it both a recreational and educational resource.