• Diamond Hill West
• Diamond Hill Road, Cumberland, RI
• Trailhead: 42° 0’4.40″N, 71°25’15.97″W
• Last Time Hiked: June 1, 2014
• Approximate distance hiked: 6.6 miles
• Moderate to difficult with many hills.

Diamond Hill is a former state owned property now owned by the Town of Cumberland known for its hiking and its former ski slopes. What most people don’t realize is there is another section of it on the west side of Diamond Hill Road that still belongs to the State. It is a vast and large tract of land. Over the winter and into the spring I’ve heard some chatter about this property via hiking club sites. As of late the Rhode Island Hiking Club has been doing compass training on the site. I finally inquired with a member of the Rhode Island Hiking Club about where the trail head is. With that information in hand, myself and a friend set out for what can only be described as an exploration hike. We had no map nor any knowledge of the property. We only had the GPS to go by. We did not follow any particular route although we did follow some blazes that we did come across. We suspect they may be for mountain bikers. Starting from the trail head at the end of an access road between mailboxes 4230 and 4232 Diamond Hill Road through what I believe is private property, we made our way onto the property. It almost immediately ascended uphill passing a house on the right and then a large stone wall. This was the first evidence of what the site was used for. The site was once used for quarrying. Beyond here we just headed in a general west direction along the north property line meandering and zigzagging along several paths through a forest of maples, oaks, beech, and pine trees. We climbed and descended several hills that all seem to have potential for great overlooks when there are no leaves on the trees. After a few miles we came to the west end of the property. We were in a large field and could see a cemetery that is on West Wrentham Road. We then crossed the property to the southern edge and started following trails in a general east direction at times hearing a nearby stream. We finally found our way back to the trail head. Without the GPS I’m sure we would have got lost. I would highly suggest going into this property only if you have some sort of GPS or compass and give yourself plenty of daylight hours.

Trail map can be found at: Diamond Hill West.

One of Several Stone Walls

Open Field