Sakonnet Greenway
Welcome to the Sakonnet Greenway Trail (SGT), the longest contiguous nature trail on Aquidneck Island.
Before reading the trail information below, please note that a large portion of the Middletown Southern Loop west of Mitchell’s Lane is now closed. A map of the affected area can be seen here.
Newport National Golf Club (NNGC) has begun expansion of its golf course on the land it owns west of Mitchell’s Lane. Sections of the Middletown Southern Loop will be temporarily closed for safety purposes throughout 2024. For everyone’s safety, please stay off closed trails.
Details on the trail closure: The Middletown Southern Loop (“West Course”) trail follows the perimeter of land owned by Newport National Golf Club. A conservation easement is held by the Aquidneck Land Trust over most of the lands that comprise Newport National Golf Club east and west of Mitchell’s Ln. The land within the conservation easement has always allowed for expansion of the golf course to the West Course, subject to permitting and the terms of the Conservation Easement. Newport National is executing their right to expand golf course grounds and activities to the West Course. There will be significant clearing of vegetation, re-grading of land, digging of soil, heavy machinery, and other activities related to construction of a golf course. This includes 9 holes, a driving range, pervious parking, and clubhouse. Work on the course and clubhouse will run through 2024.
On completion of the work on the golf course, the Middletown Southern Loop trail will be buffered with vegetation to ensure a pleasant walking experience and safe compatible uses, similar to the Orchard Course trail east of Mitchell’s Lane. Other sections of the 10-mile Sakonnet Greenway Trail are open as usual, as well as the Land Trust’s other trails. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please call or email Alex Chuman, Conservation Director, with questions at 401-849-2799×13 or achuman@ailt.org.
And now…more information on the Sakonnet Greenway Trail. We hope you enjoy your visit!
The north end of the trail begins on Linden Lane in Portsmouth, at a kiosk near the polo field. The area is rich in local history as seen in the nearby Leonard Brown House, Glen Manor House, and Glen Farm Stables, remnants of 19th-century estate farms. Those who explore the entire trail will walk through vineyards, forests, pastures, recreational fields, and along the edge of Newport National Golf Course before reaching the southern end at Wyatt Road in Middletown. There is ample parking at each end. Within the full trail there are several loop trails, where shorter walks can be enjoyed. Trail parking is available at the Glen on Linden Lane in Portsmouth, at Little Creek Preserve on Bramans Lane, Albro Woods on Mitchell’s Lane, further south on Mitchell’s Lane, the Wyatt Road soccer fields parking lot, and Newport Vineyards, where a post-hike reward at Taproot Brewery awaits. See the Sakonnet Greenway trail map and trail rules here or view the trail in our interactive property map.
The SGT is free and open to the public from dawn to dusk. Please note dogs must be leashed and bicycles or motorized vehicles are not allowed. Please respect our neighbors and stay on the trail! While the trail is open all four seasons, conditions may be quite wet and muddy during mud season in mild winters and spring.
If you are new to Aquidneck Land Trust trails, please consider becoming a Land Trust member. You’ll receive special discounts, invitations to events, and our member publications. Your membership or annual appeal donation helps us maintain our trails and conserve more open space on our Island. Thank you for your support and see you on the trail!
The trail passes by notable locations like The Glen in Portsmouth, Aquidneck Farms, Newport National Golf Club, Newport Vineyards, soccer fields on Wyatt Road, Albro Woods, and Little Creek Preserve. There are various parking locations throughout the 10 miles noted on the trail map. See the Sakonnet Greenway trail map and trail rules here or view the trail in our interactive property map.
The SGT is free and open to the public dawn to dusk. Please note dogs must be leashed and no bicycles or motorized vehicles are allowed. And please respect our neighbors and stay on the trail! While the trail is open all four seasons it is typically closed for a month in early spring around April-early May to prevent erosion during Mud Season.
Trail History
Aquidneck Land Trust envisioned a nature trail through the Sakonnet Greenway in 1992 and worked for over twenty years to acquire trail rights to build a 10-mile contiguous trail over private land. The trail was built in multiple phases. A 2.4-mile section of the Sakonnet Greenway Trail was constructed around Newport National Golf Club in 2002. In 2007 and 2008, 2.7 miles of trails were added north of Bramans Lane in Portsmouth. An additional 4.4 miles of trails were added to the west of Mitchell’s Lane in 2012. The trail crosses 13 properties, which are owned by seven private and public landowners.
The SGT is often used for hiking, running, dog walking, wildlife viewing, and horseback riding (see map for sections that allow horses). In the winter, users often snowshoe and cross-country ski. The trail runs along the Sakonnet Greenway habitat corridor and passes through several natural community types, making it a wonderful outdoor classroom for students and adults alike. For a walkthrough description of the trail, check out our trail page on ExploreRI.
Trail Volunteering
Enjoy using our trail? Why not help out! Aquidneck Land Trust has an Adopt-a-Trail program for ongoing trail monitoring and maintenance. Duties include monitoring the trail on a consistent basis, picking up litter, light maintenance, and trail improvement projects as they come about. For more information fill out our Volunteer Form and/or contact Stewardship Manager Sean Grandy at 401-849-2799, ext. 115 or sgrandy@ailt.org
ALT Rules & Regs
Have Feedback?
We always want to hear feedback on the condition of our trails and new ideas for the trail! Please contact Conservation Director Alex Chuman with any comments at 401-849-2799, ext. 114 or achuman@ailt.org