Newport is a famous and historic ocean community on Aquidneck Island, about 30 miles from Providence. It’s home to the ‘gilded age’ turn of the (last) century famous mansions, great beaches, and the Cliff Walk, a National Scenic trail. There are fantastic options for running in Newport, mainly the water and historic neighborhoods. Many of the best runs can be mix & matched.
The signature run in Newport is the five miles along Ocean Avenue, considered one of the most famous ‘drives’ in the country. Another great run passes the historic mansions on Bellevue Ave. The 3.5-mile Cliff Walk is famous — run it carefully and when there are fewer crowds. For history, hills, and sunsets, combine the Bay Loop at Fort Adams with Castle Hill. At the southeastern top of Aquidneck, we love the trails of Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge. There’s also a nice waterfront run in central Newport, and some several runnable beaches. We’ve also included a guide to running on the island of Jamestown.
Runner Notes: Unfortunately, a lot of the main roads on Aquidenck lack sidewalks or a shoulder. Also, note that it’s not possible to walk or bike across the bridge to Jamestown. For more in the area, see our running guides for Narragansett, Massachusetts Southeast Coast, New Bedford, & Providence.
