Gillette Castle State Park is one of the jewels of the Connecticut park system. Its perch above the Connecticut River offers breathtaking scenery while a real stone castle beckons visitors to explore. While it’s easy to get wrapped up in the history, architecture, and stunning views, the park also has a lesser-known attraction to offer its visitors. An abandoned miniature railroad trail winds through the woods and is the perfect spot to take a hike.

Straddling the towns of East Haddam and Lyme is one of Connecticut's most popular state parks. William Gillette, an American actor, who portrayed Sherlock Holmes on stage, built a 24-room mansion reminiscent of a medieval castle in the early 1900s.
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The estate became a state park in 1943 after William Gillette's death. During his lifetime, the actor loved entertaining guests at his castle and giving them rides on his miniature train around the property.
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The narrow-gauge railroad ran three miles throughout the property. Today, the tracks have been pulled up and replaced by a delightful hiking trail.
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The miniature railroad trail winds through the woodland setting. Some of the guests who once rode the train on this same route include Charlie Chaplin and Albert Einstein.
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One of the highlights of the trail is the tiny abandoned train tunnel. Still intact, this tunnel is an unexpected surprise in the forest!
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You can walk through the tunnel if you wish. Imagine the miniature train rumbling through back in the day.
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The three-mile trail also crosses charming footbridges along the way. This hike is as full of enchantment as the castle itself.
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Finish your journey off at the former train station. This whimsical stone structure has now been turned into a picnic pavilion.
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The grounds of Gillette Castle State Park are open from 8 a.m. to sunset year-round. The Castle is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day and then Friday through Sunday through Columbus weekend. For more information visit the Connecticut DEEP website.

Address: 67 River Road, East Haddam, CT 06423

For more opportunities to do some easy hiking in Connecticut, check out these scenic rail trails.

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