5 Undiscovered Rhode Island Hikes

Saturday, June 04, 2011

GoLocalProv Features Team

One of the joys of summer is seeing the state on foot. We've found five spots you may never see unless you lace up your lightweight hikers. Just don't tell everyone.

Empty Beachfront in Saunderstown

Here's a trail that will take you away and onto a beach that you won't believe you've never seen. Rome Point is a small peninsula located in the John H. Chafee Nature Preserve, a 230-acre state-owned conservation

areas along the Western Passage shoreline in North Kingstown. Look for a gravel parking area along Boston Neck Road (Rte. 1A), and enjoy the 3/4 mile hike to the water. You won't believe the solitude, and the views.

Nature Walking in Barrington

Owned and operated by the town of Barrington, the 42-acre Osamequin Wildlife Sanctuary, left, offers woodlands, fields and saltwater wetlands, with a well-defined trail system leading to the shores of Hundred Acre Cove and bordering wetlands. These two to three miles of trails that wind through the sanctuary makes this an ideal place for observing migratory waterfowl and shore birds. Open year round, from sunrise to sunset. Off the Wampanoag Trail, Rte. 114, Barrington.

Wooded Ramble near Glocester

The George Washington Management Area, a nearly 3,500-acre swath of natural retreat near Glocester, is perfect for wooded meandering. The Angell Loop will take you on a lakeshore-woodland circuit, even passing an historic Indian gravesite. Keep on the lookout for cottontail rabbits, snowshoe hare, grey squirrel, white-tailed deer and furbearers. 2185 Putnam Pike, Chepachet, www.dem.ri.gov/

Bird Watching in Tiverton

Located on the saltwater shores of the Sakonnet River in Tiverton, the Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Refuge is a hidden jewel offering shallow marshes and upland woodlands for a wide variety of bird life. The 50-acre reserve offers hikers views of salt marshes, seabirds, the Sakonnet River and more. Donated to the Audubon Society of Rhode Island in 1965, it was once a 30-acre farm belonging to Emily Rueckner. Now, the refuge is an inviting spot for nature walks along its one-and-one-half miles of easy-walking trails which should take about 90 minutes to complete. Seapowet Ave, Tiverton.

Climb a Mountain (RI-Style) in Exeter

Maintained by the Appalachian Mountain Club, the well-marked Mount Tom Trail rambles up and down for about five miles that include lovely vistas that give way to the Connecticut border, and ledges for pausing, snacking, and enjoying the summer weather. Pick up the trail off Ten Rod Road, near the Arcadian Midway Parking area.