Difficulty: Easy or Moderate

Main Attractions: Observation tower, woodlands, ponds, rocky terrain, historic Woodbury, Civil War memorial, antique shops.

10 day forecast

Nearby Hikes:
Flanders Nature Center

Orenaug Park in Woodbury CT allows a hiker the unique opportunity to combine natural beauty with historic scenery.  The trail system at Orenaug Park is simple but offers a nice mixture of woodlands, rocky ledges, ponds, and overviews. The highlight includes an 80 foot fire tower with fantastic views in all directions!  Although not officially part of the trail system, a hiker can easily incorporate some of Main Street and create a nice trail loop.

The entrance to Orenaug Park can be found in the upper most parking lot of the group of buildings that make up the town municipalities behind the library and police station.  There is a map kiosk of the Woodbury Bike Trail and you can park right there. Walk into the field and towards the stone wall fence at forest’s edge. You will come across one of two entrances to the trail system though neither is obvious from the parking lot. The trail you take is ORANGE blaze. (PLEASE NOTE: There is a hard to see trail information post that clearly says $150,000 liability will be yours if you bring a minor and the tower is damaged accidentally or otherwise by a minor. It’s a legal necessity in order to keep the tower open to the public but you should not mess around with the tower as was commonly done in the past. Ok…you’ve been warned. Now let’s get up there for those amazing views!)  Most people hike up to the fire tower observation for great views, in all directions, of the surrounding valley. You’ll walk the orange marked trail to the top of a forested hill where there is a distinct fork in the path. You’ll want to take a very sharp left (up/north) to the tower which is a very short distance from this fork. A few feet into this tower trail you’ll notice RED/BLUE marking on a tree. Red/Blue takes you to tower trail.  The tower is enclosed with mesh wiring but it's important to pay attention as one slip on the steep staircase could result in a serious fall.  (And also beware of broken glass at the base of the tower if trail volunteers haven’t been around in awhile.)

On your way back from the tower you can check out the red trail that goes farther into the forest and eventually down to the opposite side of Orenaug Park from where you’ve parked back at the police station and senior center lot. Taking this red trail, instead of going back on the orange to your car will allow for a fantastic loop hike. It’s not for beginners are those out of shape. If you’re ramping up to bigger hikes it is best just to do the orange trail in and out now.  The red trail takes you along a ridge top and with rocky overviews along this part of the trail. (NOTE: this ridge trail has several side trails to cliff overviews that aren’t official trails but made by locals through the years. It is potentially DANGEROUS if you are not familiar with this place. It would be very easy to walk right up out of the forest to high and knee wobbling drop-off if you weren’t given a heads up. If you take one of these side trails please take it easy in there and this is especially true of children who like to jump around on rocks. Not a good idea to take a toddler to these cliff.)  You’ll keep going along the ridge and then start downhill which will take you too a road called Park Road.  Take a RIGHT (west) onto the road and follow it back to Main Street (Route 6).  As you walk along Park Road you'll see a neat little pond and some short cliffs that are popular with local rock climbers.  The pond is public property even though it appears to be part of a residence.  Have a seat on the park bench and soak in the nice scene then head on to Main Street.  Take a RIGHT (north) on to Main Street and visit the Civil War memorial (just keep a close on any children as the memorial is right next to a very busy Main Street/Route 6).  The memorial salutes local residents who joined the Union Army to keep America united.  As you make your way back to Woodbury Library parking lot, notice all the antique shops along the way.  The shops are world famous and many of the houses are historic landmarks. You'd be hard pressed to see more antique shops per square mile anywhere else in New England.  Orenaug Park is a perfect outing if you wanted to get some fresh air but want quick access to a town center.  And it's a great place for family or group hiking. Trail info verified: November 2016Town website

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