Walking Rhode Island: 40 Hikes for Nature and History Lovers with Pictures, GPS Coordinates, and Trail Maps

Book Synopsis: Walking Rhode Island is your guide to 40 of the most scenic, natural, and historic trails in the state. Casual walkers, families, and experienced hikers can pick from easy, moderate, and challenging hikes. Each trail has descriptions of the geological features, wildlife, vegetation, and historic landmarks, directions to the trailheads, and trail tips.

Among the walks:

• Climb rocky steps through the “cathedral,” a high-walled cleft, to a perch above Long Pond in Hopkinton, where director Wes Anderson filmed scenes for the movie Moonrise Kingdom.
• Spot ospreys soaring high above Great Swamp in South Kingstown.
• Explore the remains of a Colonial farm at Parker Woodland in Coventry.
• And much more!

“This book is valuable before, during and after your exploration of these special places.” —Scott Ruhren, Senior Director of Conservation, Audubon Society of Rhode Island

“John Kostrzewa’s stories show us that walks are not merely a chance to enjoy the natural world, but to see that during every walk, in every wood, along every stream, we are awash in the history of this land and its people since time immemorial. These walks are more than a meditation or recreation, they are Rhode Island history in a deep and meaningful way. They should not just be read, they should be experienced.” —C. Morgan Grefe, Executive Director, Rhode Island Historical Society

“Along with being gracefully written and packed with precise details, John Kostrzewa’s hiking columns are an antidote to our high-speed, screen-centered lives. They not only guide you on some of the most beautiful trails around Rhode Island, but also give you a sense of history of what you are seeing along the way.” —Terry Gray, Director, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

“Ken loved to walk the trails and take his time to enjoy all that was around him. Reading Walking Rhode Island, and especially the column about the Ken Weber Conservation Area, gave me a great feeling. Thank you.” —Bettie Weber, wife of the late Ken Weber, author of Walks & Rambles in Rhode Island

John Kostrzewa has been hiking across Rhode Island for decades and worked for 29 years at The Providence Journal as a reporter, columnist, business editor, and assistant managing editor. He retired in 2017, continued to hike and in 2021 launched “Walking Rhode Island,” a column posted online and published in the Sunday Providence Journal. A graduate of the College of the Holy Cross, Kostrzewa resides in Cranston, Rhode Island with his wife Carol.