Holiday Hike at Gillette Castle State Park, East Haddam

[David Ostafin]

Join us for an EASY Christmas Holiday hike on the grounds of Gillette Castle, located along the Connecticut River at 67 River Road, East Haddam, CT on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.  We are commemorating the 10th anniversary of our group's hike at Gillette Castle on December 12, 2015 led by our dearly-departed founder Rocky H.  After the hike, participants have the option to enter and tour the castle, which is open and decorated for the Christmas season (open until 3:30 p.m., cost $6 per person). Meet at 10:30 a.m. in the parking lot next to the Visitor's Center, for a prompt departure at 11:00 a.m.

ABOUT THE HIKE.  There are a number of hiking trails on the grounds of Gillette Castle, marked by blue, red, orange, yellow and purple blazes.  We will hike the blue-blazed loop, then connect to the red-blazed trail to complete the red-blazed loop.  The hike will include a visit to the shores of the Connecticut River, the House of Yukitaka Osaki (Mr. Gillette's valet), the Chester-Hadlym Ferry, Mr. Gillette's railroad station where his personal trail operated, and then the area around the castle itself for stunning views over the Connecticut River.  The hike is 2.3 miles in total, and is expected to require about one and a half hours to two hours to complete.  Plan B:  In the event of bitingly cold weather, we will shorten the duration of the hike to less than one full hour, by walking only the blue-blazed loop, before taking refuge in the castle.

ABOUT THE CASTLE.  Rocky's 2015 write-up, slightly annotated:  "We have planned our holiday celebration atop the most southerly hill in a chain known at the Seven Sisters, where William Hooker Gillette [1853-1937], noted actor [best known for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes on the stage], director and play-write, built this one hundred and eighty-four acre estate [between 1914 and 1919], the Seventh Sister. The focal point of his efforts was a twenty-four room mansion reminiscent of a medieval castle.  Purchased by the State in 1943 from the executors of Mr. Gillette's will, Gillette Castle [it was called a "castle" only after Gillette's death] and the adjoining property with its fine woodland, trails and vistas are now administered for the enjoyment of present and future generations.  The woodwork within the castle is hand-hewn southern white oak.  Of the forty-seven doors within the structure, there are no two exactly the same.  And each door has a handsome external latch intricately carved of wood.  Even the Castle's furnishings are indications of Gillette's inspirations.  The built-in couch, a movable table on tracks, and light switches of carved wood all point to his creative genius.  The trails often follow, over trestle and through tunnel, the actor's three mile long narrow gauge railroad.  Gillette's own walking paths were constructed with near-vertical steps, stone-arch bridges, and wooded trestles spanning up to forty feet.  Other outdoor attractions include a vegetable cellar, the railroad station (Grand Central), and Gillette's goldfish pond."

The most recent restoration by the Friends of Gillette Castle volunteer group is Mr. Gillette's personal trail, which is now on display in front of the Visitor's Center.

Of particular note within the castle is the lavender-painted mortar selected by Mr. Gillette for the interior, and also his greenhouse garden.  Mr. Gillette had a Japanese valet named Yukitaka Osaki for over four decades, who started out as a cabin boy on Mr. Gillette's houseboat and ended up as the head of the staff of the entire estate. Mr. Gillette built a small house for Osaki on the grounds of the estate.  The two (neither had married) were extremely close, and it is fun to speculate on the nature of their relationship.

NOTE:  As always, dress appropriately for the season (consider a touch of Christmas for your outfit), bring water for hydration, and reference our DISCLAIMER (the group disclaims any liability; each participant is responsible for him/herself).  Bathroom facilities are located in the Visitor's Center.  Dogs on leash are permitted on all trails and in the environs of the castle, but  not in the castle itself.

VISITING THE CASTLE.  We will be walking around the castle, including the viewing porch overlooking the Connecticut River.  But some participants may wish to visit the interior of the castle  after completion of our hike.  The castle is open on weekends during the holiday season and is decorated for Christmas in the fashion of the early 20th century.  Reservations are recommended.  You can reserve your tickets at:  http://www.gillettecastlefriends.org.  

DIRECTIONS:  The address of the park is 67 River Road, East Haddam, CT.  From southbound I-91, take exit 22 for Route 9 South.  From north or southbound I-95, take exit 69 and follow Route 9 North. For a bridge crossing of the Connecticut River, take Route 9 Exit 10 (old exit 7).  Follow Route 82 East and signs for Gillette Castle State Park.

AFTER HIKE SOCIAL. When the hike and optional castle tour are complete, meet at the blue coffee house and cafe called "Two Wrasslin' Cats," located at 374 Town Street, East Haddam, about an eight-minute drive from Gillette Castle.  It is quite a distinctive sandwich shop..  It is a place where delicious sandwiches and various coffees are served in an atmosphere of a pervasive feline motif.  The cafe is filled to the brim with cat-themed knickknacks and artwork. Search on "Two Wrasslin' Cats" to find the sandwich menu.   

Giovani Querido and David Ostafin