Home › Rhode Island › Newport › Cliff Walk – South End
Cliff Walk – South End
4.8 ★★★★★ 278 Google reviews · Running trail in Newport, Rhode Island · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Cliff Walk – South End's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Hiking area featuring ocean views and mansions, plus a teahouse.
What runners say about Cliff Walk – South End
“Newport's Cliff Walk is stunning ocean scenery with historic mansions, blending the beauty of nature with Gilded Age extravagance.”
“We found it to be a super easy walk.”
Great day for a walk, the ocean breeze was just enough to keep us cool while enjoying the breath taking sights! So much to see, the beautiful trails, mansions, landscapes, and natural vistas. Amazing. Walked the entire thing. Make sure to have good tennis or hiking shoes, sunscreen, and water.
This is a good place if you want to give a walk surrounded by beautiful mansions by one side and the sea on the other side. It's a challenge to finish this walk because it's not as short as it looks. The only problem is that there is no bathroom in the en, so go to the bathroom when you find one.
Beautiful cliff walk. Well-maintained and clean. Pristine coastline views with mansions on opposing side. 7 miles total. Definitely one of the easiest, most enjoyable walks. Lots of joggers, parents, dog owners. People of all ages welcome.
We got there pretty early and most of the parking was gone but we found parking over near the university. We found it to be a super easy walk. Wouldn’t call it hiking. There’s some walking over rocks but it’s super easy. The views are beautiful. Some of the mansions are breathtaking.
Trail conditions & character
“Newport's Cliff Walk is stunning ocean scenery with historic mansions, blending the beauty of nature with Gilded Age extravagance.”
“- Atmosphere: 10/10 - Exhibit Quality: 9/10 - Service/Flow: 7/10 - Value: 9/10 - Would Return: Yes - Visit: Evening - Crowd Level: None - Parking: Easy.”
“It’s busy so if you have reactive dogs there are some tightish sections where you might have to interact with other people’s dogs.”
“The terrain went from easy ( nice paved walkway) to very rocky and you needed to be very cautious.”
“The terrain went from easy ( nice paved walkway) to very rocky and you needed to be very cautious.”
“- Atmosphere: 10/10 - Exhibit Quality: 9/10 - Service/Flow: 7/10 - Value: 9/10 - Would Return: Yes - Visit: Evening - Crowd Level: None - Parking: Easy.”
“The only problem is that there is no bathroom in the en, so go to the bathroom when you find one.”
Plan your run at Cliff Walk – South End
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitecliffwalk.com
- Phone+1 401-845-5544
Running trails near Newport
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Rovensky Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 119 reviews
Relaxed, leafy space, known for its mansions and clifftop views, plus dog-friendly paths.
Ballard Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 61 reviews
Park offering kid-friendly hikes and trails.
King Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 817 reviews
Clean park with picnic tables, a playground and a beach.
Narragansett Ave Waterfront Public Access Point
4.9 ★★★★★ 119 reviews
Popular park featuring a scenic cliff walk with stairs that lead to the water, plus bathrooms.
Cliff Walk
4.8 ★★★★★ 2,323 reviews
Path along a cliffy coastline dotted with opulent homes featuring ocean views.
Fort Wetherill State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,129 reviews
Hiking, boating & picnics with views at a former military training camp on rugged granite cliffs.