​What you need to know about the Hills

Keep your dog on a leash

Enjoy the Vews

​Directions
​Enter the Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve via Veterans Memorial Park by turning onto Memorial Park Drive off of Rte. 161. There is ample parking adjacent to the ballfields.  There is a large informational kiosk, where you can pick up a trail map before your hike and leave us your comments after! This is the southern access to both the Red and Blue Trails with vistas of both Clark and Smith Ponds. Clark Pond was created around 1900 by entrepreneur Byron Clark, the Pond served as a source of ice that fishermen used to preserve their catch (information provided by Elizabeth Hall Kuchta, East Lyme Town Historian).

 The following are not allowed:

• Motorized Vehicles
• Fires or Camping 
• Firearms or Hunting 
• Alcoholic Beverages​
• Horseback Riding

​​Please respect the Hills 
​and our Neighbors​

• Preserve is open Sunrise to Sunset!
• Please be careful. There are steep sections and cliffs in The Hills. Activities are done at your own risk.
• Dogs are welcomed, but must be on a leash to protect wildlife and fellow hikers. The Hills are nature’s nursery; help protect wildlife and their young.
• Always stay on marked trails. There are many unmarked trails in the Hills that are not indicated on the map and they WILL get you lost.
• Please prevent against Lyme disease. Keep pants tucked inside your boots and wear light colored clothing. Always check for ticks after a hike.
• Never hike alone. If you do, please let some-one know of your plans and call 911 in an emergency.
• Please pick up after yourself. Litter is bad for wildlife.
• You are responsible for your own safety.

Least Steep Trail​ 
​A local term sometimes used for the entire geological area boarding the west shore of the upper Niantic River is “The Hills”, referring to the Oswegatchie Hills ridgeline. And there is a reason it’s called that. It’s hilly and sections between two ridges can be steep and the terrain challenging to climb for some hikers. Those seeking a more level terrain often ask how to avoid the steep inclines. There are some sections of the trails that are fairly flat, but they will eventually lead to an incline especially if doing a loop trail. An “out and back” walk on flatter sections can be done and we recommend the following trail section if easier is your preference.
 
Try the first section of the Blue Trail going north, which you can access by going over the Clark Pond bridge at the OHNP Main Entrance at Veterans Field complex off Penn. Ave., Route 161. One can experience some of the beauty of the Preserve on this first section, stop at the overlook of Clark Pond and then return when it becomes too challenging.

Teepee

Trail Info
Location Markers
At each intersection there are small red metal discs with letters. These serve as location makers to assist emergency personnel if needed. Because they are also referenced on the new trail maps, hikers can use them to help identify which  intersection they are at.​

The stewardship committee has placed “You Are Here” signs and framed weatherproof maps (like the photo on right) at key intersections to help hikers know their location in the Preserve.

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Detour Details - See details below

Hikers should be aware that there has been a necessary detour of the Blue Trail at the Main Entrance on the east side of the Clark Pond Bridge. A safety concern caused by severe erosion of the steep slope made this detour necessary. The short detour just to the south now makes the trail safer and easier to navigate while entering and exiting the Preserve via the Blue Trail. A waterbar has been installed on the new path to help mitigate erosion that might occur there in the future. Opened Monday, August 29, 2022, the new detour is marked by Blue blazes and the old section is roped off with yellow line and signage. 
 
Many thanks to FOHNP trail stewards Bruce Kolowski and Paul Parulis for clearing and installing the waterbar on the new path. 

The Days Best of Readers Choice Award for Top 3 'Places to Take a Hike’!

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