Newport sights guide · Reviewed November 2026
How long is the Cliff Walk in Newport? The full Cliff Walk is about 3.5 miles one way, from Memorial Boulevard at Easton’s Beach to Bellevue Avenue at Bailey’s Beach, and the official trail map puts the one-way walk at roughly 2.5 hours. Very few visitors do the whole thing. Because there are street entrances every so often along the route, you can choose a 30-minute ocean stroll, a 90-minute loop past Forty Steps and The Breakers, or a half-day walk that ends on the rugged rocks near Rough Point.
Newport Cliff Walk length at a glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Total length | About 3.5 miles (5.6 km) one way |
| Out and back | Roughly 7 miles if you return on foot the same way |
| Time for the full route | About 2.5 hours one way, per the official map; more with photo stops and the detour |
| North end | Memorial Boulevard, at the western end of Easton’s Beach |
| South end | Bellevue Avenue, at Bailey’s Beach (locally called Reject’s Beach) |
| Entrances in between | Narragansett Avenue (Forty Steps), Webster Street, Shepard Avenue, Ruggles Avenue, Marine Avenue, Ledge Road |
| Trail markers | Numbered location markers roughly every tenth of a mile |
| Cost and hours | Free; open daily, sunrise to sunset |
How long is the Newport Cliff Walk, section by section?
Official sources give the total distance rather than a mileage for each stretch, so the most useful way to plan is by effort. The northern half is paved and quick; the southern end turns into uneven rock that slows almost everyone down. For a full description of every entrance, see our Newport Cliff Walk guide.
Memorial Boulevard to Forty Steps: easy and paved
This is the fastest part of the walk. The path is paved with no steps between Memorial Boulevard and Narragansett Avenue, although its width and grade vary and it does not meet ADA standards everywhere. You pass below The Chanler and reach the stone stairway down to the water at Forty Steps. Seasonal restrooms sit at both ends of this stretch.
Forty Steps to Webster Street: currently detoured
The coastal path here was damaged in a 2022 collapse and is still fenced. Signs send walkers around the closed section and through the Salve Regina University area, which adds a little time. Rhode Island’s Coastal Resources Management Council approved the repair plans in October 2026; the city expects construction to begin in 2027 and take about two years, with completion targeted for 2029.
Webster Street to Ruggles Avenue: mansion views
This is one of the most rewarding stretches for a first visit. You pass Ochre Court on the Salve Regina campus and come out near The Breakers close to Ruggles Avenue. Discover Newport suggests Narragansett Avenue to Ruggles as the stretch to pick if your time is limited.
Ruggles Avenue to Bellevue Avenue: rough and slow
South of Ruggles, pavement gives way to irregular surfaces. Beyond Belmont Beach and around Rough Point, the official map rates the terrain as difficult, with rocks, boulders and spots that call for mild scrambling. You will see the Chinese Tea House above the path at Marble House before the walk ends near Bailey’s Beach. Skip this part in rain, ice, strong wind or fading light.
How long does it take to walk the Cliff Walk?
The official map’s estimate of about 2.5 hours covers the full 3.5 miles one way. In practice, how long you spend depends on which stretch you choose and whether you walk back:
- 30–45 minutes: Start at Memorial Boulevard, walk toward Forty Steps and turn around halfway through your time. Easy footing, simple parking.
- 60–90 minutes: Start at Narragansett Avenue, follow the detour through the Salve Regina area and continue toward Ruggles Avenue for views near The Breakers, then return or get picked up.
- 2–3 hours: Walk from Easton’s Beach to Ruggles Avenue or Belmont Beach and exit before the roughest terrain.
- Half day: The complete one-way walk to Bellevue Avenue, for steady walkers with good shoes, water and a ride or plan for getting back.
Rather see the mansions without the rocks? A narrated trolley tour covers Bellevue Avenue at an easier pace: Book the Gilded Age trolley tour with The Breakers on Viator → Our Gilded Age mansions guide explains which houses to tour.
Where to start, park and finish
Memorial Boulevard and Narragansett Avenue are the two main starting points, and both have metered spaces and seasonal restrooms. According to Discover Newport, parking at those meters is free from November 1 through April 30, though time limits may still apply. In season, Memorial Boulevard is $2 an hour with a three-hour limit and Narragansett Avenue is $2 an hour with a four-hour limit. Our Cliff Walk parking guide covers every lot and side street, and the winter free-parking guide lists off-season options.
If you plan a one-way walk, decide your exit before you start. Ruggles Avenue and Marine Avenue are common places to leave the path and walk back up to Bellevue Avenue. You can view the route on the official Cliff Walk map (PDF).
Tips for timing your walk
- Go early or late in the day for fewer people on the narrow paved stretch; the path closes at sunset.
- Wear real shoes if you plan to go past Ruggles Avenue.
- Bring water. There are no food stops on the southern half of the route.
- Dogs are welcome on a leash, and owners must pick up after them.
- Winter walks are quieter and parking is easier, but watch for ice on the rocks. See more ideas in things to do in Newport in winter, or check the best time to visit Newport.
Where to stay near the Cliff Walk
These hotels put you within an easy walk of a Cliff Walk entrance. Compare more options in our hotels near Cliff Walk guide.
The Chanler at Cliff Walk
A mansion hotel right above the northern entrance at Memorial Boulevard, so you can start walking from the front door. Check The Chanler rates and availability →
The Cliffside Inn
A boutique inn a short walk from the path, and our top romantic pick near the Cliff Walk. Check Cliffside Inn rates and availability →
Hotel Viking
A full-service hotel on Bellevue Avenue, between downtown and the mansions. Check Hotel Viking rates and availability →
Prefer to be near restaurants and the harbor? Look at downtown Newport hotels or our best hotels in Newport, RI, and check reader deals before you book.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Cliff Walk in Newport?
The Newport Cliff Walk is about 3.5 miles one way, running from Memorial Boulevard at Easton’s Beach to Bellevue Avenue at Bailey’s Beach. Walking out and back on the full route is roughly 7 miles.
How long does it take to walk the Newport Cliff Walk?
The official Cliff Walk map estimates about 2.5 hours to walk the full route one way. Most visitors take less time because they walk only part of it; plan longer for photos, the current detour and the rocky southern end.
How long is the Cliff Walk in Newport, RI if I only want the easy part?
The easiest stretch is the paved section from Memorial Boulevard to Forty Steps at Narragansett Avenue. Official sources do not publish a separate mileage for it, but a relaxed out-and-back walk on this section usually fits into 30 to 45 minutes.
Is the whole Newport Cliff Walk open?
Most of it is. A collapsed section between Narragansett Avenue and Webster Street is fenced off, and walkers follow a signed detour through the Salve Regina University area. Repairs are expected to start in 2027, with completion targeted for 2029.
Do I have to walk the Cliff Walk round trip?
No. There are several street entrances along the route, including Narragansett Avenue, Webster Street, Ruggles Avenue, Marine Avenue and Ledge Road, so you can exit early and return by street or arrange a pickup.
More Newport guides
- Newport Cliff Walk Guide
- Cliff Walk Parking
- Forty Steps on the Cliff Walk
- The Breakers Visitor Guide
- Newport Hotels Near the Beach
- Things to Do in Newport, RI
- All Newport Blog posts