Join our 2026 Hikes
CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER
1/4/26 - 10:00 Burlingame North, Charlestown
1/11/26 - 10:00 Carolina North, Richmond
1/18/26 - 10:00 Carolina South, Richmond
1/25/26 - 10:00 Belleville Pond, North Kingstown
2/1/26 - 10:00 Browning Mill Pond, Arcadia
2/8/26 - 10:00 Carolina North, Richmond
2/15/26 - 9:30 Alton Jones, West Greenwich
Meet at 9:30 at Dan’s Restaurant on Route 102 to carpool together to Alton Jones to make sure you get to the proper parking lot.
About 3-4 miles on pretty flat, quiet, scenic, snow and ice-free, traffic-free road. No spikes, snowshoes, or skis needed.
DIRECTIONS: From I-95 South, take Exit 14b to Route 102 North, turn Right about 1 mile up the road and park at Dan’s Place Restaurant.
LEADER: Mary-Beth Smith, sullymb1@gmail.com, 401-304-7546
2/22/26 - 10:00 - Ninigret Park, Charlestown
NOTE: This is the Park, not the Wildlife Refuge
3ish flat, mostly snowless miles with a visit to the trolls and a view of Ninigret Pond.
DIRECTIONS: From Route 1, take Route 1A, take Park Lane across from police station into the main entrance. Park at the playground.
LEADER: Heather Wiehl, hlawlesswiehl@yahoo.com, 401-338-1848
3/1/26 - 10:00 RI Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Exeter
Join us for a flat, snowless walk through 280 acres of beautifully maintained grounds including 40 monuments dedicated to veterans of specific wars and conflicts. Many of you may remember past years with this annual hike on Memorial Day led by Dick Sullivan.
DIRECTIONS: 301 S County Trail, Exeter, RI 02822. Park at the 1st parking area inside the entrance to the cemetery
LEADER: Heather Wiehl 401-338-1848, hlawlesswiehl@yahoo.com
3/8/26 - 10:00 Napatree Point, Watch Hill
3 flat, mostly snowless miles along the Napatree conservation area that extends into Fishers Island Sound. Walk along the Little Narragansett Bay side of the beach then cross over to the Atlantic side on the way back. For those wanting more, we will then walk to the Watch Hill Lighthouse, say hi to Taylor Swift, looping up and around downtown Watch Hill.
DIRECTIONS: Take Route 1 south towards Westerly/Watch Hill. Left on Airport Rd, left on RI-1A N/Watch Hill Rd, continue straight on Watch Hill Rd, continue on Wauwinnet Ave, continue on Bay St, turn right onto Fort Rd and park in the public parking lot. Meet at the entrance to the conservation area is through the private parking lot, past the cabanas on your left to the beach entrance.
LEADER: Heather Wiehl, hlawlesswiehl@yahoo.com, 401-338-1848
3/15/26 - 10:00 Great Swamp, West Kingston
ORANGE REQUIRED
Approximately 4 miles, mostly flat, open trails through this DEM state management area covering over 3,000 acres.
DIRECTIONS: From Route 138 in West Kingston, head west on Liberty Lane, continue to the left at sign for Great Swamp. Follow this dirt road 2 miles , past the DEM maintenance buildings and a shooting range to the parking area at the dead end.
N 41º 28.143’ W 71º 34.786’
LEADER: Heather Wiehl, hlawlesswiehl@yahoo.com, 401-338-1848
3/22/26 - 10:00 Carolina North, Richmond, RI
4-5 miles with loop to scenic Carolina Trout Pond. Some hills.
DIRECTIONS: From I-95 take Rte 138 west through Hope Valley. At blinking light take left (sign says Mechanic Street, but also known as Switch Road), go 3 miles, turn Left on Pine Hill Road, go 0.6 miles to the parking lot on right near red DEM building. Or on Pine Hill Road, 1.7 miles west of RI 112, or 0.6 miles east of Switch Road. Park at the DEM station, red structure on south side of the road.
LINK: https://trailsandwalksri.wordpress.com/tag/carolina-management-area/
LEADER: Heather Wiehl, hlawlesswiehl@yahoo.com, 401-338-1848
3/29/26 - 10:00 Belleville Pond, North Kingstown
3.2 miles, flat, beautiful views, plus we will visit Ivan the Troll.
DIRECTIONS: From South, take Route 1 North to Route 4 North to Exit 3. Bear right off the exit onto Route 102 (Ten Rod Road). In about 1 mile take Layfayette Rd on the right across from McKay's furniture at the Yoga place. You might see a closed road sign at the entrance. Just go around the sign and the Parking lot is just about 500 feet on the left.
LEADER: Marybeth Smith, Cell: 401-304-7546; email Sullymb1@gmail.com
4/5/26 - 10:00 Easter at Dr. John Champlin Glacier Park, Westerly, RI
2-3 miles of hilly trails with beautiful views. 134 acres of an entirely recessional moraine kettle and kame topography including ponds, sand barrens and ridges overlooking Winnapaug Pond, Block Island Sound, Block Island and Long Island.
DIRECTIONS: 5 Kettle Close, off of Shore Road at the entrance to Winnapaug Cottages. Meet at small parking lot with the trailhead Kiosk.
LEADER: Heather Wiehl, hlawlesswiehl@yahoo.com 401-338-1848
4/12/26 - 10:00 Cliff Walk, Newport
Spring is here and daffodils are everywhere! 2 to 4 Miles depending on your preferred route.
Start at the North End of the Cliff Walk at Memorial Blvd. with a 10:15 stop at Narragansett Avenue/40 Steps Entrance to pick up anyone parking nearby. Head south with a detour between Narragansett Avenue and Webster Street then continue to Baily’s Beach. Your choice to ride back in style on the Trolly or stroll back along Bellevue Ave. Optional exits along the way for anyone not wishing to do the rocky bits from Belleview to Bailey's Beach.
DIRECTIONS: Rt. 138 East across Newport Bridge (toll). After bridge, head South on Rte 138A or Rte 214 to Memorial Boulevard towards Eastons / 1st Beach
PARK: WARNING - Easton's Beach (1st Beach) Parking Lot is charging for parking, so look for street parking or carpool. I can take 3 people. City of Newport | Parking & Access Points
LEADER: Heather Wiehl 401-338-1848 or hlawlesswiehl@yahoo.com
4/26/26 - OPEN
5/3/26 - 10:00 Rome Point, Narragansett
Join Tim Cranston for a walk and talk about this beautiful area. Rain date May 17th.
About 3 miles with outstanding views of the bay and the possibility of seeing a seal out near the rocks.
DIRECTIONS: Take Route 1 North to Route 138 East, get off at first exit (Route 1A) left at end of ramp and parking lot is 1/4 mile on right.
N 41º 32.225’ W 71º 26.245’
LEADERS: Rose & Paul Pichette, 401.487.0631, prpichette@gmail.com
5/10/26 - 10:00 - Mother’s Day Narragansett Sea Wall & Beach Walk
Celebrate Mother’s Day with a 1.8-mile stroll to the end of the sea wall and back, then 2 miles on the beach north to the narrows and back. Beach picnic at the end for those wanting to avoid the restaurant crowds.
DIRECTIONS: Park at the middle lot for Narragansett Town Beach off Boston Neck Road, no fee.
LINK: https://canonchet.org/trails.php
LEADER: Heather Wiehl, hlawlesswiehl@yahoo.com, 401-338-1848
5/17/26 - 10:00 Sheep Farm with Janice
5/24/26 - OPEN
5/31/26 - OPEN
6/6/26 - End of Season Hike & Picnic at Goddard Park
10:00 Meet for Hike at Shelter picnic area
12:00 POTLUCK Picnic until whenever we like.
Come to picnic even if you skip the hike, we would love to see you!
• Bring a chair if you want but there are plenty of covered picnic tables
• Bring your favorite cold dish, app, or snack
• BYOB if you want something other than lemonade or iced tea.
• Picnic Rain or Shine, hike cancelled with steady rain
• Quick chat for next season
DIRECTIONS: Goddard Memorial State Park, 1095 Ives Road, Warwick, Rhode Island 02818
Take the 2nd park entrance, go past the old ticket hut and bear right toward the beach.
Take the short dirt road on the left before wooden pedestrian bridge that goes over the road.
Park & Meet at the "Picnic Shelter" on left of the Main Beach Pavilion.
Signs for YT will be posted.
https://www.google.com/maps/search/Goddard+Park/@41.6662115,-71.4356124,15z/data=!3m1!4b1
MAP: https://www.riparks.com/PDFFiles/Maps/GoddardParkMap.pdf
QUESTIONS? MaryBeth Smith, 401-304-7546, sullymb1@gmail.com, Heather Wiehl, 401-338-1848, hlawlesswiehl@yahoo.com
June-Aug: Summer Break, check out Kayaking on Thursdays through Westerly Land Trust and Sundays with Sally Hanson’s Group
LINK: Hikes, Paddles, & Wellness – The Westerly Land Trust
Looking Ahead:
12/6/26 - 10:00 Rome Point, North Kingstown - Remembering Dick Sullivan
Some of us will remember that Dick led an annual hike here for the holidays, stopping along the way to enjoy the moment. About 3 miles with outstanding views of the bay and the possibility of seeing a seal out near the rocks. We will stop to share some treats and goo memories.
DIRECTIONS: Take Rte 1 North to Rte 138 East, get off at first exit (Rte 1A) left at end of ramp and parking lot is 1/4 mile on right. N 41º 32.225’ W 71º 26.245’
Leaders: Sally Hanson, (401) 932-5295 and email: sallyhanson242@gmail.com