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EXCURSIONS Journey To Health

Osbornedale State Park - Derby CT - A Hiking Excursion on the Red Trail from the Kellogg Center

Posted by Brian Krilivsky - EXCURSIONS Journey To Health on

Location: Osbornedale State Park – Derby CT. Red trail with entry from the Kellogg Center (500 Hawthorne Avenue, Derby CT 06418)


Date of Hike: February 27, 2016

Time of Hike: 2pm

Weather: Sunny 39 degrees F

Distance: 3.22 miles

Duration: 1 hr 46 min (Avg. speed 1.8mph – a leisurely pace, taking lots of stops for pictures and breaks )

Highest Elevation: 572 ft (elevation gain: 757 ft)

Total ascent: 0.99 miles Total descent: 1.2 miles

Gear List: (for 2 people) 2 hydration packs(filled with 1.5 liters water each), hiking-trekking poles, first aid kit, 2 five in one survivor kits(whistle, compass, fire starter flint, signal mirror, waterproof match box), compass, pocket knife, trail map. (Our basic gear for a short day hike.)

Parking/Directions: Plenty of parking available at the Kellogg Center.  Click Here for Directions from your location

Wildlife Seen: Red-winged Blackbird, Canada Goose, Mallard ducks, American Robin, Chipmunks

Trail Map: Click here for trail map

Description: Osbornedale State Park is a unique excursion designation because of its location. Located in Derby CT, you wouldn’t imagine this lovely nature reserve in this industrial Naugatuck valley location.

We start our hike in the Kellogg Nature Center parking lot. We walk directly across the street toward the 2 ponds. We chose this starting location because it adds a little extra distance to reaching the red trail and the scenic ponds and open fields are some of the highlights of this park.

We follow the open fields straight ahead and enter the Red trail. We take a right on the trail and start an initial incline. The Red trail is filled with inclines and declines but with a maximum elevation of only 572 feet, it’s enough to get the heart pumping but ok for beginners and moderate hikers.

The park is a great place for any geology enthusiast with numerous rock types, geologic folds, quarries and more.   For more geological info click here

The trail heads toward Pickett’s Pond which is another highlight of the hike. During the winter months the pond may be used for ice-skating and has a warm-up hut with fireplace. The trail meanders around the pond and starts a gradual ascent. Highlights of the next section of trail include the upper pavilion, a pass close to the Derby community gardens, and St. Michael’s Cemetery. The trail starts circling around through a segment of mountain laurel and starts a gradual descent toward our starting point.

This time of year, after a recent rain storm, some of the trail was sloshy and water filled and required a little improvising to get across some of these areas. Waterproof shoes would be recommended. Overall, this a great hike for beginners and intermediates and anyone looking for a nice day excursion. (And at the end or beginning of your hike, take a stroll through the Kellogg Center another great nature destination).

Fun Facts:

-The park lands were once the lushly forested hunting grounds of the Paugussett Indians.

-Permanent settlers began arriving in the late 1650’s. The land was gradually purchased from the Paugussetts for items such as clothing and cooking utensils.

-The new settlers cleared the land for farming and took advantage of their location on the Housatonic and Naugatuck Rivers by developing the area into a trading port, which at one time rivaled New Haven harbor.

-The name of the settlement called “Paugusett” was changed to “Derby” in 1675 after Derbyshire, England, the former home of many colonists.

-Lands now within the park off Silver Hill Road were mined for silver for a short period after the Revolutionary War.

-Two very successful farms were located on the property known as Osbornedale Farms. One farm was a breeding farm for the prize winning Osbornedale Holstein Cows, and the other was an excellent milk producing dairy farm of Jersey cows.

Excursions Journey To Health - Hiking Camping

Hiking-Camping Gear available at  EXCURSIONS Journey To Health

For a 5% discount off of all items use Coupon Code: Osbornedale

Take an Excursion Today! See more Intriguing Hiking Traills and Destinations in CT

  • Hiking
  • Kellogg Center
  • Osbornedale State Park
  • Pickett's Pond