HIKING
Fresh Pond Greenway
This area is called “Smilin’ Thru” and inspired the 1920s song composed by Arthur Penn, who stayed on the island before creating the popular tune. Walkers should be prepared for steep slopes and some tricky footing. The trail starts on Lakeside Drive near the intersection with Cooneymus Road, and heads west along the shore of Fresh Pond. Take this trail to Rodman’s Hollow, then south to Black Rock.
The Greenway
Inspired by the Greenway trails of England, the Block Island Greenway includes 15 miles of cleared trails winding through the southern half of the island. Nathan Mott Park, the Enchanted Forest, Turnip Farm and Rodman’s Hollow can all be accessed via the Greenway trail system. Starting points can be found on Lakeside Drive, and along Old Mill, Cooneymus, West Side and Beacon Hill roads. Look for granite Greenway markers, turnstiles and steps over stone walls.
Hodge Family Preserve
At the north end of Corn Neck Road is this picturesque 25-acre field sloping to Middle Pond and West Beach. The property was acquired for conservation in 2002 and is jointly owned and managed by the town, The Nature Conservancy, the BI Land Trust and the Block Island Conservancy. Walkers and others engaging in passive recreation are welcome. Small dirt parking lot available along the roadside, at the high-point of the preserve.
Rodman’s Hollow
This dramatic hollow drops below sea level and features panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, as well as access to the beach. Owned and protected by the Block Island Conservancy, Rodman’s Hollow is a memorable, invigorating hike. This “glacial outwash basin” was B.I.’s first piece of land preserved from development. Enter the hollow from Cooneymus Road, where a dirt road (Black Rock Road) leads to a wooden turnstile at the trailhead.
Walk the Roads The West Side loop is gorgeous. Begin in New Harbor. From Payne’s Dock you can look across the harbor to see a spit of land called Beane Point. Owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, this area is important to migrating birds and is part of the Block Island National Wildlife Refuge, which also encompasses the North Light. Proceed west along West Side Road. One-half mile down the road is the Island Cemetery. From atop this hill of passed souls, you can see the North Light and the Rhode Island coast. On a clear day, look for the gigantic Newport Bridge at 40 degrees east; it spans the eastern passage of Narragansett Bay. Continuing west, you’ll pass a farm and a number of small ponds. You can get some beach time by turning right onto Dorry’s Cove Road or Cooneymus Beach Road; both dead-end at the island’s tranquil west shore.
Beach Walks Some of the island’s best hikes are along its beaches. You can hike around the entire island in approximately eight hours. Start at any beach, and walk as far as you’d like. There are two breaks in the shoreline: the New Harbor Channel and the ferry landing in Old Harbor.
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One mile from Dorry’s Cove, West Side Road jogs to the left, where it becomes Cooneymus Road. A half mile farther along, you’ll see Rodman’s Hollow, a deep ravine on your right. Cooneymus Road next veers sharply to the left and passes Fresh Pond. At the next intersection, turn left onto Center Road and walk downhill to the State Airport. To get back to town, turn right on Old Town Road; to return to New Harbor, continue on Center Road and go right onto West Side Road.
