[rosebod91]

I'm from Colorado, and have come to really enjoy moderate mountain hikes- had a lovely summer doing a couple hours of hiking (+1000 elevation) after work, got in a couple "beginner" Fourteeners, etc. I go to school in Providence, and I'd love to continue hiking during the school year. Does anyone have a recommendation for accessible hikes from Providence (not much more than an hour away)? I definitely prefer hikes that get you totally away from town, i.e. no city vistas, and I'm not looking for something incredibly intense, but I definitely like hiking hills! Any that you'd recommend for the late winter/early spring?

Thanks for any advice!

[dudley]

When I lived in Providence, I'd regularly go to Snake Den SP off rt6 in Johnston just to get away. Not much there, just undeveloped forest and a small cave.... Not far from town though.
In the G.Washington Management Area on rt44 in Chepachet there's an interesting sphagnum bog trail. It's just north of the state campground on the same forest road

Here's some maps of some other RI state lands. I still take my dog to Buck Hill and the Douglas SF in Webster Mass right to the north, but that's because it's close to home. Not so much hills, but a large forest area

http://www.dem.ri.gov/maps/wma.htm

While you're in the ocean state, you might want to take advantage of the ocean parks.
The two Jamestown state parks are a good visit. Both Beavertail and Fort Wetherill.
In Middletown the Sachuset National Wildlife Refuge is larger and wilder. A must visit while you're around.
Cape Cod's not far and there's some good walks there too. From the Chatham Light to the point at South Monomoy Island there's about 15 miles of "wilderness". If you make it there and back on foot, you may very well be the first ever to accomplish the feat.

[Majer:Danjer]

I got this at Borders, great tool for planning some rural RI hikes.