Find the top rated running trails in Rhode Island, whether you're looking for an easy short running trail or a long running trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a running trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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This bike path between Bristol and India Park in Providence was just what I had hoped for: picturesque views, charming towns and homes, beautiful foliage, and friendly people of all ages!
In addition, there were a few surprises. I discovered that this path is a definite paradise for bird lovers. It even passes right by an Audubon Nature Center accessible by the path! There were also many interesting historical aspects such as the Pomham Rocks Lighthouse, remnants of the old railroad, and the Squantum Association mansion. The best surprise and highlight for me was the Spooky Bottom Scenic Dock. Don't skip or miss this! I barely noticed the small sign for it. It's not spooky, and it's not a dock. It's a pier that will take you out into the bay for awesome views of the causeway, bay, and the Providence skyline including the state capital's green dome!
This path is obviously extremely popular with the community: walkers, joggers, bikers, dog walkers, and many parents pushing strollers. Also, I have never seen so many students on their way to school utilizing a path like this on their bikes. I must have seen at least thirty. That's a testament to the safety of the surrounding neighborhood and community!
I drove all the way from California to experience this trail, and I'm so glad I did. I've ridden my bike in forty-nine of our fifty states, and I definitely put this Hall of Fame trail in my top five favorites! A+, state of Rhode Island!
The path is nice and cool in the summer due to lots of shade. Much of it has large sections of big tree roots, though.
Gorgeous and very well kept trail. Very shady! We started at the Amtrak Station. Beautiful ride all the way to the end. Took the left at the end down to The Towers and Narragansett Beach. We had wonderful lunch at the Coast Guard House. Great view! Helps to have a reservation but we were able to get in.
Southeast of Barrington bridge under construction. Detour signs
I love this bike path but today was a nightmare. The area of the bike path shortly after Martin Street (you go under Martin Street) has disturbed bees. As I was riding, one smacked into me under my left eye. Stung like crazy. Kept going and on the way back, in the same area, another one smacked into me under my right eye and stung me. RI Parks and Recreation have been doing a lot of work on the trail lately including mowing the sides of the trail so they may have disturbed them.
Started at India Park and went the whole length of the path. Just beautiful! The path is well maintained and pretty flat all the way, plenty of shaded path.
Though the trail itself is ok, there are elements of crowd that bike and frequent this path that made us never want to visit here again as a family, from a bicycling safety, child safety, and family safety stance.
Last time we went as a family, we were safely bicycling along just past that univ. of rhode island side where there is an outlying farm and we encountered several people who either did not give proper way to others or just sped along carelessly, but the terrifying part that jolted us into never wanting to visit again was: A guy, probably in his late 60's, grey beard, and wearing a Stedman's Bike Shop t-shirt came speeding along, probably 25mph, on his road bike and heading towards us and some walkers (though we were in the right lane), and he came head on, suddenly squealing his brakes in our faces and yelled at our child and my spouse, "What are you doin!!! What the hell are you doin'!!!" Making us feel like our slow riding and safe riding got in the way of his clear path to the rushing high of speed, speed, speed, the guy grunted through us and other walkers and shockingly, simply sprinted off. All we could think was just nasty and that the guy either runs the bike shop or is a shop team rider or who knows what and what a gross shop-rider sham of a partnership risking others' safety and peace of mind.
So we proceed on a bit and then head back with a gross feeling about the whole family bicycling experience here. I take a couple of weeks weeks off and then decide to visit the path again just with our child this time. We bicycle along up before that wakefield center and encounter two guys drunk and spewing violent cussing language out of their mouths. Had to call the police this time because we were afraid the guys would get violent on us as they occupied a part of the pathway directly in front of us. No thanks rhode island, for bicycling safety, family safety, and child safety. Children are impressionable and they, more than adults, retain indelible memories of such horrors, lifelong.
This was my first time at this trail. I took the reviews to heart
and chose to park at the Horgan Elementary School lot (near
some Tennis Courts and the Red Caboose!).
Despite out-of-state plates, I had no challenges parking. No stickers or anything were required and
the parking area felt safe.
I chose to Rollerblade on the trail WEST to the End in Coventry.
The first 2 to 2.5 miles are not-so-pretty. It is very urban...some "small" tent out-croppings
along the right-hand bank of the river -- and very industrial....
I kinda wondered why I was there (though felt safe).
The pavement had some bubbly spots and the wooden bridges are a bit course on Rollerblades (keep your momentum up and you can get right across them...or stop fully and take in the views...)
But after you get past the "urban" areas...the trail West toward Coventry REALLY begins to shine. It does have a gradual upward slope most of the way, but seriously quite doable. The quality of the pavement gets better and better and there was only very minor debris on the path. A VERY good path to Rollerblade!
I chose to Rollerblade on the RIGHT side going in both directions, so as to not have to square off with any fast moving bikes. Everyone on the path was VERY warm and courteous!
The major part of the path through Coventry is truly gorgeous...and well worth the ride!
I confirmed with MANY bikers that the stretch EASTWARD to Cranston is NOT suitable for Rollerbladers...Many of the bikers said that it even stinks for bikes actually!
So, the segment from the Horgan Elementary School to Coventry (sort of going "RIGHT" on the trail if tennis courts are behind you) is the place to go!
Couple more things:
There do appear to be some VERY nice parking areas a bit further into Coventry and one MIGHT be able to skip the first 2-2.5 miles of the trail and park just a tad bit closer toward Coventry....That 2-2.5 miles is kinda "crummy", so you're really not missing anything. I don't know the names of those parking areas -- but did not see any signs saying "Residents Only" or anything.
Also, the GENERAL STORE at the very far end of the trail in Coventry is no longer open...so don't plan on getting water or anything there. There ARE a few gas stations one can see along the trail and the very cute ice-cream shop that many have mentioned, as well!
Lastly -- the trail does end very suddenly, when you reach the end in Coventry and there is a Map/Sign that seems to imply that the trail continues into Connecticut....That apparently is NOT true "yet"...but is being planned.
When you look on the backside of the Granite Mile Markers (heading West), they will IMPLY that that you have like 4 or 5 miles MORE to go, but you will hit the END of the trail at around Mile Marker 4.7 -- so it appears that they FUTURE proofed the Mile Markers and included the distance that WOULD be there if the trail did continue into Connecticut.
Several bikers said that one COULD continue into Connecticut via the very busy looking road. I chose not to, being on Rollerblades.
If you are close to Coventry -- start at the Coventry end and blade/bike/walk/run all the way toward the other end -- and simply stop and turn around when it starts to get "uglier"...the final very, very large wooden bridge may be a place to stop and turn around.
Anyway -- it was a GREAT experience...but that first 2 - 2.5 miles from the Horgan School West toward Coventry is a tragic sort of area...the trail itself is okay, but as you head West, you will see what the 5-Stars are all about!!
Enjoy!
Beautiful ride amazing views made me love RI again
This to ep bike path And back starting Lyman st beautiful ride and back
Great trail and during the week it is not very crowded
You will cross active roads so caution is advised
Lots of wildlife, birds, swamps, flowers etc
This is a pretty level trail, parking can be a problem at times
I tend to go to Riverside and head down towards Bristol and it works
Restaurants along route and benches
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