Join our 2025 Hikes
9/21/25 - 10:00 Trustom Pond Wildlife Refuge & Sculpture Trail, Matunuck, Charlestown
Flat, easy stroll of up to 2.5 miles, or you can do less if you prefer. One of five national wildlife refuges in the State. In 1974, Mrs. Ann Kenyon Morse donated the first 365 acres to the refuge. Today, the refuge includes 787 acres of various wildlife habitats including fields, shrublands, woodlands, saltwater ponds and sandy beaches. Approximately 300 bird species, more than 40 mammals and 20 species of reptiles and amphibians call Trustom their home. Trustom Pond is the only undeveloped salt pond in the State, making it even more valuable to wildlife.
LINK: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/rhode-island/trustom-pond-national-wildlife-refuge-trail
DIRECTIONS: 1040 Matunuck School House Rd, South Kingstown, RI 02879
Sculpture Trail follows the Trustom Pond hike for those interested. Just 5 miles down the road, a flat, easy half-mile stroll through numerous art installations created from a variety of materials.
LINK: https://sklt.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/SculptureUpdate2-9.6.2018.pdf
DIRECTIONS: Turn left onto Matunuck School House Rd, after 1 mile turn right onto Green Hill Beach Rd. Destination is on the right. The trailhead is a break in the stone wall (on your left) across from Bedford Drive. Park only on the left (east) side of the road.
Download Trail Map
LEADER: Heather Wiehl, hlawlesswiehl@yahoo.com or 401-338-1848
9/28/25 - 10:00 - Barn Island, Pawcatuck, CT
3.5 mile loop through uplands and salt marshes overlooking Little Narragansett Bay with a few gentle hills.
DIRECTIONS: US 1 west from Pawcatuck for 2.5 miles to the traffic signal at Wequetequock Cove. Turn left on Greenhaven Road, then immediately right, on Palmer Neck Road. Follow Palmer Neck to the parking area on the right, across from trailhead and just before the boat ramp. Park at Boat Ramp if no parking is available near trailhead Kiosk.
LINK: Barn Island - Long Island Sound Study
LEADER: Heather Wiehl, 401-338-1848, hlawlesswiehl@yahoo.com
10/5/25 - 10:00 - Narragansett Beach Walk & Canonchet Farm
Celebrate the fall with a flat, easy loop at Canonchet Farm followed by a walk on Narragansett beach up to The Narrows and back.
DIRECTIONS: Route 1 / Boston Neck Rd. to 106 Anne Hoxsie Lane to Canonchet Farm, park in first lot at Canonchet Trailhead. Or park across the street at Narragansett Town Beach off Boston Neck Road if Anne Hoxsie Land is closed.
LINK: https://canonchet.org/trails.php
LEADER: Heather Wiehl, hlawlesswiehl@yahoo.com, 401-338-1848
10/12/25 - 10:00 Beavertail State Park, Jamestown - Cancelled due to Storm
10/19/25 - Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, Middletown changed to GODDARD PARK, North Kingstown at 10:00
Due to the road race across the Newport Bridge tomorrow morning, the hike is changed to Goddard Park.
About 3.5 miles on flat trails with some beautiful water views. Hike half if you like, the beach parking lot is in the middle.
LINK: https://www.riparks.com/PDFFiles/Maps/GoddardParkMap.pdf
DIRECTIONS: Goddard Memorial State Park, 1095 Ives Road, Warwick, Rhode Island 02818. Take the last park entrance by the golf course. Bear right & go under walkway bridge toward Beach parking. Meet at the beach parking lot.
LEADER: MaryBeth Smith, sullymb1@gmail.com, 401-304-7546.
10/26/25 - 10:00 Camp Yawgoog, Rockville
Yawgoog Pond Loop covers 3.5 miles of hilly, rocky trails around Yawgoog Pond and through the boy scout camp. Cross streams, climb rocky ledges, and enjoy some beautiful views. Wes Anderson’s film "Moonrise Kingdom" was partially filmed here for the dramatic scenery.
DIRECTIONS: 61 Camp Yawgoog Road, Rockville, RI 02873. From Route 138 head North-West through Hope Valley, turn right at blinking traffic light at Fire Station / West’s Bakery, stay on Route 138 / Rockville Rd / Spring St. for 3.1 miles, turn Left at the "Camp Yawgoog" sign with the big guy carrying a canoe. Continue for 1 mile to the Camp Yawgoog gate. Turn right at the gate into the parking area, meet at Parking area.
LINK: https://www.yawgoog.org/uploads/6/8/4/2/68426127/yawgoog_map_new.pdf
LEADER: Heather Wiehl, hlawlesswiehl@yahoo.com, 401-338-1848
11/2/25 - 10:00 - Breakheart Trail, Arcadia, Exeter
ORANGE REQUIRED
Directions: Route 165 / Ten Rod Road west to Frosty Hollow Rd. Parking is on right next to Frosty Hollow pond.
Parking: Frosty Hollow parking lot at the pond.
Leader: Marybeth Sullivan, sullymb1@gmail.com, Cell 401-304-7546
11/9/25 - 10:00 Shelter Trail, Arcadia ,Exeter
ORANGE REQUIRED
Directions: Google Maps or take Route 165 / Ten Rod Road west to Frosty Hollow Rd. Parking is on right next to Frosty Hollow pond.
Leader: Marybeth Sullivan, sullymb1@gmail.com, Cell 401-304-7546
11/16/25 - 10:00 SUSAN DUVAL Trail - South Kingstown
4.5 - 5 miles of ups and downs in a very pretty area of South Kingstown Land Trust
DIRECTIONS: North on Rte 110 from Rte 1. Left at the first intersection (Old Post Road) and in about 1 or 2 miles on the right is an old Quaker Cemetery. Meet at the cemetery. N 41º 24.033’ W 71º 35.066’
Leader: Janice Fifer, jhfifer@verizon.net
11/23/25 - 10:00 Grills Preserve, Bradford / Westerly
ORANGE REQUIRED
3 or 4 Miles - group choice. Westerly Land Trust's 500-acre preserve is primarily flat terrain often along the sparkling Pawcatuck River. Cross the Polly Coon Bridge and enjoy a scenic view from top of "Big Hil", which requires some climbing on clear trails. Several options for length of hike.
DIRECTIONS: From Westerly, take 91 North, go 1.1 miles past Bradford Preserve to Bradford Village, turn left at Bradford Pizza onto North Main St., right onto Bowling Lane to the end, parking lot is left.
LINK: https://westerlylandtrust.org/portfolio/grills-preserve/
LEADER: Heather Wiehl, 401-338-1848, hlawlesswiehl@yahoo.com
11/30/25 - OPEN
12/7/25 - 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 for us plus some bird-friendly ornaments.
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
12/14/25 HOLIDAY Hike & Party, Maxwell Mays, Coventry
Same place as last year, with a big thanks to Linda & Ed B for securing this wonderful location again.
Hope to see you there on the trail, at the party, or both.
Please RSVP if you don't mind to hlawlesswiehl@yahoo.com, many thanks!!
10:00 - Hike at Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge, Coventry, rain or snow cancels hike.
Moderate 3-mile hike with 2-mile flat option.
The late RI artist Maxwell Mays donated over 295 acres of diverse wildlife habitat to Audubon in 2010. The property offers trails though upland forests, wetlands, streams, ponds, and open meadow. The 11-acre Carr Pond, situated entirely within the bounds of the wildlife refuge, is the centerpiece of the property. It is home to river otters as well as many types of freshwater fish and aquatic invertebrates. Habitat includes forest, ponds, wetlands, streams, and open meadow.
DIRECTIONS: From I-95 north or south take exit 18 (West Greenwich) to Route 102 north. Go about 5.5 miles on 102 north and look for the entrance to the refuge on the right, 2082 Victory Highway, Coventry, RI 02816
LEADER: MaryBeth Smith, Cell: 401-304-7546; email Sullymb1@gmail.com
LINK: Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge
12:00 - Holiday Party at Sherwood Valley Community Center - rain or shine
Full kitchen, restrooms, power, tables and chairs, heat, accessible, and decorated
Potluck - Bring your favorite app, snack, hot or cold dish, or dessert
Drinks - Hot and cold drinks provided, no alcohol please
Yankee Swap - Bring a modest wrapped gift if you want to do the Yankee Swap (under $20 or handmade).
Bring books and magazines you want to part with and pick up a few to bring home.
We have the place until 6 pm but usually wrap up by 3 pm.
DIRECTIONS: 1 Sherwood Valley Lane, Coventry, RI, 02816
12/21/25 - 10:00 Great Swamp, West Kingston
ORANGE REQUIRED
Approximately 4.5-mile hike, 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
12/28/25 - OPEN