Sometimes you might find yourself with an intense urge to break out into nature and spend your day exploring! Unfortunately, our schedules don’t always allow us to go off the grid for as long as we’d like. These 6 short hikes in Rhode Island are perfect for a quick escape and are some of the best hikes in Rhode Island.
1. Lime Rock Preserve, Lincoln
Yelp/Brian S. The trail at Lime Rock Preserve is a 1.8 loop with stunning scenic views of the former reservoir. It’s also a perfect hike to enjoy the changing seasons with many rare plants and a beautiful backdrop of lush trees. Find it at 96 Wilbur Road. Lime Rock Preserve, Lincoln, RI 02865, USA
2. Browning Woods Trail, South Kingstown
Flickr/Steve Sheeky The 3 mile trail found at Browning Woods is a gorgeous hike alongside a lovely stream. The remains of the Browning Homestead are wonderful to explore along the trail found off Shannock Road. Browning Woods Trail, South Kingstown, RI 02879, USA
3. Canonchet Brook Preserve, Hopkinton
Flickr/Matt This winding trail includes stunning glacial erratics, old foundations, and other unique sites. It is 2 miles long and can be found off North Road in Hopkinton. Canonchet Brook, Hopkinton, RI 02832, USA
4. Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield
Flickr/H.C. Williams This beautiful refuge is not only home to the Rhode Island Audobon Society’s headquarters, it also possesses more than 100 acres of beautiful woodlands. The hiking trail is 2.5 miles long and is uniquely beautiful. Find it at 12 Sanderson Road. Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Rd, Greenville, RI 02828, USA
5. Kimball Sanctuary at Watchaug Pond, Charlestown
Flickr/Madhu Madhavan This 1.5 mile hike is found off 180 Sanctuary Road in Charlestown and boasts beautiful views of Watchaug Pond. The pond, also known as Kettle Pond, is glorious and makes for a wonderful place to take a break from your short hike to enjoy a picnic. Kimball Wildlife Refuge, 180 Sanctuary Rd, Charlestown, RI 02813, USA
6. Ocean View Loop at Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, Middletown
Flickr/Christine Riggle The Ocean View Loop is without a doubt one of the most beautiful trails found in the state. Offering stunning views of the Atlantic, this loop is just 1.5 miles in length and definitely beginner friendly. Hikers also have the option of extending their trek by completing the connected trail in the refuge. Ocean View Loop Trail, Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, Ocean Vw Lp Trl, Middletown, RI 02842, USA
For more on Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge in Rhode Island, be sure to read this previous article.
Yelp/Brian S.
The trail at Lime Rock Preserve is a 1.8 loop with stunning scenic views of the former reservoir. It’s also a perfect hike to enjoy the changing seasons with many rare plants and a beautiful backdrop of lush trees. Find it at 96 Wilbur Road.
Lime Rock Preserve, Lincoln, RI 02865, USA
Flickr/Steve Sheeky
The 3 mile trail found at Browning Woods is a gorgeous hike alongside a lovely stream. The remains of the Browning Homestead are wonderful to explore along the trail found off Shannock Road.
Browning Woods Trail, South Kingstown, RI 02879, USA
Flickr/Matt
This winding trail includes stunning glacial erratics, old foundations, and other unique sites. It is 2 miles long and can be found off North Road in Hopkinton.
Canonchet Brook, Hopkinton, RI 02832, USA
Flickr/H.C. Williams
This beautiful refuge is not only home to the Rhode Island Audobon Society’s headquarters, it also possesses more than 100 acres of beautiful woodlands. The hiking trail is 2.5 miles long and is uniquely beautiful. Find it at 12 Sanderson Road.
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Rd, Greenville, RI 02828, USA
Flickr/Madhu Madhavan
This 1.5 mile hike is found off 180 Sanctuary Road in Charlestown and boasts beautiful views of Watchaug Pond. The pond, also known as Kettle Pond, is glorious and makes for a wonderful place to take a break from your short hike to enjoy a picnic.
Kimball Wildlife Refuge, 180 Sanctuary Rd, Charlestown, RI 02813, USA
Flickr/Christine Riggle
The Ocean View Loop is without a doubt one of the most beautiful trails found in the state. Offering stunning views of the Atlantic, this loop is just 1.5 miles in length and definitely beginner friendly. Hikers also have the option of extending their trek by completing the connected trail in the refuge.
Ocean View Loop Trail, Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, Ocean Vw Lp Trl, Middletown, RI 02842, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes in Rhode Island March 24, 2022 SKS What are the best scenic hikes in Rhode Island? Cliff Walk The Cliff walk tops the list as the most scenic hike in Rhode Island, and could top the list for the most scenic hike in the United States. This hike really has everything. You get to walk along the beautiful ocean coast for miles while also getting to admire the huge mansions that get these amazing ocean views year round. While not necessarily a forest or nature hike, the Cliff Walk will bring you some of the most scenic views in the state. Watchaug Pond Trail and Kimball Wildlife Refuge Trail These are actually two different trails found in Burlingame State Park. The Watchung Pond Trail is an 11-mile loop that will take you around Watchaug Pond, while the Kimball Wildlife Refuge Trail. If you hike the Kimball Wildlife Refuge Trail, this is an incredible place for bird watching and is your best chance for seeing other animals in the area. If you take The Watchung Pond Trail, this will bring you over footbridges, through forests, and along the water. Dogs are also welcome on this hike, and they will love exploring the area as much as you do. Carr’s Pond and Tarbox Pond Trail If you want some scenic views of some very picturesque ponds, the Carr’s Pond and Tarbox Pond Trail is for you. Not to steep, this trail will take you around a 4-mile loop that circles Carr’s pond before bringing you to one end of Tarbox Pond. With plenty of rocks to sit on around the ponds, this is a great place to take a hike, then relax overlooking the water and taking in the scenic view. If you want the perfect mix of scenic views of the water and the forest, this is the trail for you.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes in Rhode Island
March 24, 2022
SKS
What are the best scenic hikes in Rhode Island? Cliff Walk The Cliff walk tops the list as the most scenic hike in Rhode Island, and could top the list for the most scenic hike in the United States. This hike really has everything. You get to walk along the beautiful ocean coast for miles while also getting to admire the huge mansions that get these amazing ocean views year round. While not necessarily a forest or nature hike, the Cliff Walk will bring you some of the most scenic views in the state. Watchaug Pond Trail and Kimball Wildlife Refuge Trail These are actually two different trails found in Burlingame State Park. The Watchung Pond Trail is an 11-mile loop that will take you around Watchaug Pond, while the Kimball Wildlife Refuge Trail. If you hike the Kimball Wildlife Refuge Trail, this is an incredible place for bird watching and is your best chance for seeing other animals in the area. If you take The Watchung Pond Trail, this will bring you over footbridges, through forests, and along the water. Dogs are also welcome on this hike, and they will love exploring the area as much as you do. Carr’s Pond and Tarbox Pond Trail If you want some scenic views of some very picturesque ponds, the Carr’s Pond and Tarbox Pond Trail is for you. Not to steep, this trail will take you around a 4-mile loop that circles Carr’s pond before bringing you to one end of Tarbox Pond. With plenty of rocks to sit on around the ponds, this is a great place to take a hike, then relax overlooking the water and taking in the scenic view. If you want the perfect mix of scenic views of the water and the forest, this is the trail for you.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Cliff Walk
The Cliff walk tops the list as the most scenic hike in Rhode Island, and could top the list for the most scenic hike in the United States. This hike really has everything. You get to walk along the beautiful ocean coast for miles while also getting to admire the huge mansions that get these amazing ocean views year round. While not necessarily a forest or nature hike, the Cliff Walk will bring you some of the most scenic views in the state.
Watchaug Pond Trail and Kimball Wildlife Refuge Trail
These are actually two different trails found in Burlingame State Park. The Watchung Pond Trail is an 11-mile loop that will take you around Watchaug Pond, while the Kimball Wildlife Refuge Trail. If you hike the Kimball Wildlife Refuge Trail, this is an incredible place for bird watching and is your best chance for seeing other animals in the area. If you take The Watchung Pond Trail, this will bring you over footbridges, through forests, and along the water. Dogs are also welcome on this hike, and they will love exploring the area as much as you do.
Carr’s Pond and Tarbox Pond Trail
If you want some scenic views of some very picturesque ponds, the Carr’s Pond and Tarbox Pond Trail is for you. Not to steep, this trail will take you around a 4-mile loop that circles Carr’s pond before bringing you to one end of Tarbox Pond. With plenty of rocks to sit on around the ponds, this is a great place to take a hike, then relax overlooking the water and taking in the scenic view. If you want the perfect mix of scenic views of the water and the forest, this is the trail for you.
