Explore Block Island

Block Island, a small island off the coast of the Rhode Island mainland, is well-known as a local summer playland. Tourists typically go to the quaint New England island in the summer months for the biking, hiking, sailing, kayaking, fishing and 17 miles of beaches.

Although you can bring a car over on the ferry or rent a moped while on the island, I have always preferred to travel by bike. If you don’t own a bike, there are several rental places right in town when you dock. The island elevation gains are manageable, and it’s a great way to get in some exercise while exploring. Approximately 40% of the land is set aside for conservation, so there is a lot of natural beauty to see as you cruise along the streets and dirt trails that cover the island.

Every fitness level is different, so the amount of biking you do is completely up to you. For me, I am typically able to get through most of the island in a long day, from the Old Harbor where the ferry docks all the way up Corn Neck Rd to the North Lighthouse, then over Pilot Hill Rd to the Mohegan Bluffs and South Light, stopping at beaches along the way. I have also done the Mohegan Trail / Lakeside loop to check out the New Harbor, which is lovely, but mostly inland. My personal preference is the first route to the North Light.

There are places around the island to hike as well. For example, the North Light has some hiking behind it to the ocean. The Bluffs have a 200+ foot decent including both stairs and some rock scrambling with an assist rope. There are several pull off's along Corn Neck Road, and the Greenway can be found off the Lakeside loop. Overall, there are approximately 25 miles of walking trails across the island.

The biggest things, besides the standard exercise precautions, to look out for on Block Island are the ticks (our area of the world is loaded with Lyme Disease), the sunburn (you can’t bring too much sun block) and off the shore, the occasional shark.

If you’re looking for a great mix of relaxing, exercising and fun, put Block Island on your list to visit today.