Hiking in Colchester

Hiking is one of my favorite pastimes. I have hiked all over New England and New York State. My favorite spots here are the Airline Trail, Babcock State Forest, Day Pond and Devils Hopyard.
The Airline Trail is a former train track converted into a hiking trail. The state and Colchester has really done a great job on this conversion. As a railroad conversion the trail has a shallow grade and is wide enough for 4 people to stand side by side. Streams and rivers are crossed by bridges affording great view points. The trail is topped with crushed stone making it ideal for bicycles and strollers. Access with good parking areas can be found on Route 149 a mile south of Route 2 or on Old Hartford Road next to Corvettes and Classics. There is another good connection with parking just beyond Route 85 Lumber in Amston/Hebron.

Babcock Pond Wildlife Management Area is another place I like to spend time at. It is a 1500 Acre area with several ponds and streams. There are no marked trails, but the park has many old roads through the park. Most of the roads can be found on a topographical map of the area. This area has lots of varying terrain and you can walk a long time and not retrace any of your steps. Caution, some of the trails fade out to nothing and it is easy to get confused as to which road you’re on. I would only recommend this park to experienced hikers with a topographic map and compass. Also be aware that hunting is allowed in this forest. Main hunting seasons are (turkey) May and (turkey and deer) October/November. Parking is available at the end of Starr Rd, off of Route 149.

Day Pond is a State Park located in Colchester off of Route 149. In addition to swimming and fishing it offers great hiking. A map of the park including the trails can be found at the following web site: http://www.ct.gov/Dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=325088#forest.
The trails are marked with colored blazes and are pretty easy to follow. There are many roads, power lines and unmarked trails there as well, so double check the intersections carefully. Like Babcock Pond, public hunting is allowed in the area. If you’re hiking during hunting season, wear fluorescent clothing.

Devils Hopyard is located in Salem, CT. A map for the area can be printed out from the same web site listed above: http://www.ct.gov/Dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=325088#forest. This park has a camping area, trout stream, a waterfall and many hiking trails. Trails are very well marked and well kept. Some of the trails along the stream include jumping from rock to rock. There are many trails in the forest and the park includes chemical toilets and a nice picnic area.

My Favorite Colchester Restaurants

My favorite Colchester Restaurants.

I like to eat out. Time and financial considerations usually require eating in Colchester. My local favorite sit-down restaurants include Maria’s Pizza Palace, Papa Z’s Restaurant and Plum Tomato. We are a “meat and potatoes” family, so I can’t tell you anything about fish or shell food.



Maria’s is located on Route 16 in the Westchester part of town. It is a small family operation with moderately priced menu. Portions are good, most of the time we walk away with left-overs. The Gyro platter comes with a generous helping of fries and the best onion rings in town.

My personal favorites from their menu are:
Moussaka
Greek Lasagna
Italian Combo
Gyro plate





Papa Z’s is located in the same part of town on Route 16. It will cost more to eat there, but the menu is more varied. Portions are large, and the food is very good. In addition to a very large menu, they have 10-12 daily specials that might include jambalaya, sausage in vodka sauce or Cajun dishes.

My personal favorites from their menu are:
Marsala Chicken
Chicken Barese
Chicken Pizziaola

Web Site: Papazsrestaurant.com



The Plum Tomato has the best pizza in town. I know everyone has a different idea about what is a good pizza. We get pizza from all the places in town, but “The Godfather” is our favorite pizza. Their Brickini sandwiches are very good. Be warned, the sandwiches are very large. I usually order a quarter sandwich for lunch and it is plenty. They also have great salads to eat in or to go.

My personal favorites from their menu are:
Godfather Pizza

Brikini’s
Titanic Turkey
Caesar Salami
Da Bomb

Web Site: www.theplumtomato.com

Best Fishing In Colchester, CT Area

Largemouth Bass fishing from a kayak is the best fishing in the Colchester, CT area. There are at least 10 lakes and ponds within 15 miles of Colchester. Many of these do not have boat launches or allow gas engines. I catch the most bass from May through August. Most of the time I use plastic worms in various hook patterns including “Wacky” and “Texas” style. I have a Wilderness 13’ Pongo kayak that I love. It has good leg room, an adjustable seat, good storage and I have added an anchor and rod holders. Several times over the last couple of years I have caught and released 20 fish in a day.

How to Stop Plant Eating Deer

Colchester Connecticut has the same problems as most towns with hungry deer. Last spring, one deer came every night to eat my Hosta. I built noisy scare crows. I kept lights on. I sprayed perfume and smelly soap on or around the plants. I put human hair in my garden and nothing worked.

Then I used one of the trail timers with a built in camera. The flash that the camera uses to take night photographs scared her away for the rest of the growing season. It also took pictures of some opossum and skunks moving through the yard.