Newport Cliff Walk guide · Reviewed October 2026
The Forty Steps Cliff Walk landmark is a stone staircase at the east end of Narragansett Avenue that drops from Newport’s famous coastal path to a small platform just above the Atlantic. It is one of the most photographed spots on the Cliff Walk, a handy place to start a walk, and a landmark with a surprisingly human history: in the Gilded Age it was where the staff of the nearby mansions gathered to dance and socialize.
What is the Forty Steps on the Cliff Walk?
The Forty Steps is a public stairway built into the cliff where Narragansett Avenue meets the Newport Cliff Walk, the 3.5-mile path that runs along the eastern shore of Aquidneck Island between the ocean and the backyards of Bellevue Avenue’s mansions. The steps lead down the rock face to a platform above the water, so you get a close-up view of the waves without scrambling over boulders.
It is also one of the main access points to the Cliff Walk. There is metered street parking on Narragansett Avenue, seasonal public restrooms nearby and, in season, water stations for both people and pets. That combination makes the Forty Steps one of the easiest places to hop onto the trail if you don’t want to start at Easton’s Beach.
| Forty Steps at a glance | What to know |
|---|---|
| Location | East end of Narragansett Avenue, on the Cliff Walk near the Salve Regina University campus |
| Cost | Free to visit; street parking is metered in season |
| What you’ll find | Stone and cement stairs ending at a platform above the water |
| Facilities | Seasonal restrooms at Narragansett Avenue (daylight hours); seasonal water stations for people and pets |
| Trail status | Open north toward Easton’s Beach; detour in place to the south between Narragansett Avenue and Webster Street |
| Time needed | 15–20 minutes for the steps alone; add an hour or more to walk a section of the Cliff Walk |
Forty Steps Cliff Walk history
The Forty Steps is older than most of the mansions around it. According to the City of Newport’s Cliff Walk trail marker for the site, local tradition holds that David Priestly Hall built the first set of steps in the 1830s so his children could reach a beach at the bottom of the rocky shore on his property. In 1840, Hall deeded the public right of way to the steps to the City of Newport, which is a big part of why you can still walk down them today.
Over the following decades the steps became an attraction in their own right. During the Gilded Age they turned into a social spot for the people who kept the great summer “cottages” running. Local stories describe nineteenth-century workers, many of them Irish, gathering at the Forty Steps and dancing jigs to accordion music.
The staircase itself has been rebuilt several times:
- 1830s: The first wooden steps go in, by local tradition built by David Priestly Hall.
- 1840: Hall deeds the public right of way to the city.
- 1890: The wooden steps are replaced with an iron stairway.
- 1938: The Hurricane of 1938 destroys the iron stairway.
- 1980: The last major restoration. Look down as you walk and you’ll see the names of people who donated to it carved into the steps.
Today’s steps are stone and cement.
Current Cliff Walk conditions near the Forty Steps
In March 2022, a roughly 20-foot section of the Cliff Walk just south of the Forty Steps collapsed. That stretch between Narragansett Avenue and Webster Street has stayed fenced off since, and the city has said detours will remain in place for the foreseeable future. Signs route walkers off the trail and around a block of the Salve Regina University campus before rejoining the path.
Repairs are moving forward slowly. In October 2026, Rhode Island’s Coastal Resources Management Council approved the city’s repair plans, but more permits are still needed. Local reporting says the city hopes to seek construction bids around the end of 2026, start work in 2027 and finish around 2029. Until then, expect the detour, and never step past the barriers to get a better photo.
The good news: the Forty Steps themselves sit at the edge of the closed area, and the rest of the Cliff Walk remains open. You can still walk north toward Easton’s Beach, or follow the detour south toward The Breakers and the mansions beyond.
How to visit the Forty Steps
Parking at Narragansett Avenue
The city lists Narragansett Avenue at the Forty Steps as one of two main Cliff Walk parking areas, along with Memorial Boulevard at Easton’s Beach. In recent seasons, the Narragansett Avenue meters ran from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., May 1 through October 31, at $2 an hour with a four-hour limit, payable by coins, card at the Pay by Plate station, or the Passport app. There is also no overnight parking on parts of the street. Read the signs every time; rules change. Our Cliff Walk parking guide compares every option, and the city’s parking and access points page has the latest details.
Walking from Easton’s Beach
If you’d rather walk in, start at the Memorial Boulevard entrance by Easton’s Beach and head south. This northern stretch is the easiest part of the Cliff Walk, and the Forty Steps make a natural turnaround point for a simple out-and-back. It’s a good option for families and anyone who wants ocean views without the rocky southern sections.
Best time of day
Early morning is quieter and the light over the water is soft. Late afternoon is busier but lovely, especially in late summer and fall. On summer weekends, parking on Narragansett Avenue can fill quickly, so arrive early or walk from a nearby hotel. For the bigger picture on crowds and weather, see our guide to the best time to visit Newport.
Tips for a safe, enjoyable stop
- Watch the waves. The platform at the bottom sits right above the water. On rough days, spray and wet stone make it slippery. Hold the railing and keep kids close.
- Wear real shoes. The steps are solid, but the Cliff Walk gets uneven farther south. Sneakers beat sandals. Our Newport packing guide covers layers for the coastal wind.
- Bring water. There are seasonal water stations at the Forty Steps, but don’t count on them outside summer.
- Bringing a dog? The seasonal water stations include water for pets. See our Cliff Walk guide for dog and accessibility details.
- Respect the barriers. The collapsed section is unstable. Follow the detour signs.
- Look for the names. The donor names carved into the steps from the 1980 restoration are a fun detail that’s easy to miss.
Easy ways to build a walk around the Forty Steps
Short and scenic (under an hour): Park on Narragansett Avenue, walk down the Forty Steps, then head north along the paved stretch of the Cliff Walk for ocean views and turn back when you’re ready.
Mansion views (one to two hours): From the Forty Steps, follow the posted detour around the Salve Regina campus, rejoin the Cliff Walk and continue toward Ruggles Avenue for views of The Breakers. Retrace your steps or exit at Ruggles.
Full northern half: Start at Easton’s Beach, walk south past the Forty Steps, follow the detour, and continue as far as you’re comfortable. If you want more trail ideas, browse our list of hiking trails and parks near Newport.
Where to stay near the Forty Steps
The easiest way to skip the parking scramble is to stay within walking distance. These guides compare the best options:
Steps from the Cliff Walk
Browse our picks for hotels near the Cliff Walk. Staying close means you can walk to the Forty Steps early, before the parking spaces fill.
Near the mansions
The Forty Steps sit in the heart of mansion country. If you plan to tour The Breakers or Rosecliff too, compare hotels near the Newport mansions.
Couples, families and budgets
Planning a getaway for two? Start with our romantic hotels in Newport. Traveling with kids or watching costs? See family-friendly hotels and budget-friendly hotels in Newport.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the Forty Steps on the Cliff Walk?
The Forty Steps are at the east end of Narragansett Avenue, where the street meets the Cliff Walk near the Salve Regina University campus. It is one of the trail’s main access points, with metered street parking nearby.
Are the Forty Steps open right now?
The Cliff Walk remains open north of the Forty Steps, but the section just to the south, between Narragansett Avenue and Webster Street, has been closed since a 2022 collapse, with a posted detour. Check the City of Newport’s Cliff Walk page and on-site signs for the latest status before you visit.
Why is it called the Forty Steps?
The name refers to the staircase that runs down the cliff to the water. The first steps date to the 1830s, and the stairs have been rebuilt several times since: in iron in 1890, again after the 1938 hurricane destroyed them, and most recently in a major 1980 restoration.
Is there parking at the Forty Steps?
Yes. Narragansett Avenue has metered street parking. In recent seasons, meters ran May 1 through October 31 with a four-hour limit. Spaces fill quickly on summer weekends, and some parts of the street have no overnight parking, so read the posted signs.
Are there restrooms near the Forty Steps?
The city lists public restrooms at Narragansett Avenue that are open seasonally during daylight hours. Outside the summer season, plan to use facilities in town before you go.
How long should I spend at the Forty Steps?
Fifteen to twenty minutes is enough to walk down, take photos and climb back up. Most visitors pair it with a walk along the Cliff Walk, which can easily fill an hour or more.
More Newport guides
- Newport Cliff Walk: complete guide
- Cliff Walk Parking Guide
- Newport, RI Beaches
- Hotels Near the Cliff Walk
- All Newport Blog posts