Seven Dwarfs Save The Princess LbNA #77461

Did you know? The majestic stone fortress we now call Gillette Castle was originally named the “Seventh Sister” by its creator, actor and playwright William Gillette. The state of Connecticut gave it its current name in 1943 — but we’re keeping the magic of the number seven alive with a twist of our own...

Seven dwarfs have gone into hiding across the park’s trails, and only you can find them!


Each dwarf holds a vital numbered clue, and together they’ll lead you to the princess who’s waiting to be rescued. Think you have what it takes to solve the mystery?

Your quest begins at Gillette Castle State Park, located at 67 River Road in East Haddam, CT. You'll explore every marked trail in your mission to find the dwarfs. Whether you tackle them all in one epic journey or split your adventure into multiple treks — the choice is yours. Just remember: every dwarf must be found to unlock the path to the princess!

Pro tip: Park in the paved lot to begin your adventure with ease.

Note: Yukitaka Osaki’s house is located in the Gillette Castle State Park River Camping on the bank of the Connecticut River, near the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry.

Bring your stamp pad and let the search begin — and may your curiosity lead you to a happily ever after! Hi Ho! Hi Ho! It’s off to find the dwarfs we go.

1 - Bashful (Red Trail)
Begin your adventure at the Red Trailhead, just to your left as you pass beneath the archway leading to the stage. Step onto the trail and let the journey unfold.

• At the first Red Trail intersection, take a right.
• At your next Red Trail intersection, take a right again past a bench.
• Soon, you'll reach a T-shaped crossroads—here, turn left.
• Continue on until the next Red Trail fork, and turn right once more.
• As you descend the hill past a worn bench on your left, follow the Red Trail left at the bottom.
• A reward awaits ahead: a peaceful picnic table with sweeping views of the Connecticut River—a perfect place to pause and breathe in the beauty.
• When you're ready to move on, pick up the Red Trail to your right and pass a rock wall on your right-hand side. Cross a wooden bridge, then not long after, a stone bridge—with a charming stone arch visible to your right.
• You're almost there—just ahead, the trail twists into a sharp switchback to the right. But before you turn, take a moment to glance left. Nestled beneath a hidden rock formation lies a cozy little cave, where Bashful quietly hides away from the spotlight. Give him a gentle hello (he might blush!), then kindly return him to his snug hideout so he can stay tucked away, just the way he likes it.

Note: If you find yourself at a stone corner, you’ve gone too far. Backtrack to the switchback.

To Return:
To head back to the trailhead, continue up the switchback.

• At the next T-intersection, go left.
• Follow the Red Trail up the hill.
• At the top of the hill, go right and cross over a quaint covered bridge.
• At the next T-intersection, go right.
• At the next intersection, where a double blaze is on a tree turn left.
• At the next intersection turn left to go back to where your journey began.

2 - Doc (Yellow Trail)
Begin your journey at the Yellow Trailhead, tucked behind the stage—your gateway into the woods.

• Before long, you’ll reach an intersection where the Red Trail splits off to the left. Resist the call—stay right and continue following the Yellow Trail.
• As you walk beside a rocky cliff wall on your right, the terrain will guide you to a broad slab of rock stretching across the path. Step confidently over it and press on going straight.
• Soon, another Yellow Trail junction appears—this time, bear left.
• Cross over the Purple Trail. Keep your focus—stay on the Yellow Trail to the right.
• As the trail winds to the right, take a quick left where Yellow continues its climb.
• Now you’re walking parallel to the Purple Trail, which lingers off to your left.
• You’ll come to an intersection with a double blaze in front of you. Take the left path.

Note: If you come upon a trail sign—a helpful marker you have gone too far.

• Just ahead, the trail bends right, and you’ll spot a mighty Wolf Tree—large, weathered, and wise.
• Look closely—tucked behind the base of this ancient forest sentinel and hidden beneath a stone trap door, Doc patiently waits. Ever the wise and watchful guardian of the trail, he’s ready to greet curious explorers. Give him a warm hello, then gently return him to his quiet post beneath the stone, where he can continue keeping a careful eye on the path ahead.

Note: If you pass another tree marked with a double yellow blaze, you've gone too far. Circle back—Doc doesn’t like to be missed.

To Return:
Retrace your steps through the winding forest and let the Yellow Trail lead you home, back to the trailhead behind the stage.

3 - Dopey (Purple Trail - East side of the paved road)
Note: East side is the right side of the park road as you are driving out.

Note: There is an unpaved parking lot you could park in for the boxes on the Purple Trail.

Note: The Purple trail here currently has a detour while the trestle is out of order. For now, take the detour on the White trail.

Begin your journey on the Purple Trail, starting on the east side of the paved road, taking the detour to the right along the White trail with the pond on your right.

• Follow the White trail around the bend to the left
• You’ll soon come to a T-Intersection, but as you look a little to your left you’ll see an unmarked trail heading up the hill to the Purple Trail. Follow this unmarked trail to the Purple Trail.
• When you arrive on the Purple Trail, go right. Going left is a dead end to the out of order trestle.
• Follow the winding path, and soon you’ll come upon a mysterious train tunnel cutting through the earth.

Tip: A flashlight might come in handy—this tunnel holds more than shadows.

• Step into the cool darkness, and as the light returns on the other side, turn to your left and follow the rock wall. About four feet along and two feet up, you’ll spot a small cave tucked snugly into the stone. Peek inside—you’ll find Dopey there, quietly enjoying his day in his secret little sanctuary. Give him a friendly hello, then gently return him to his cozy cave so he can keep relaxing in peace.

Once you’ve said hello, return to the Purple Trail and continue your eastward journey through the forest to find Grumpy.

4 - Grumpy (Purple Trail - East side of the paved road)

• With the tunnel behind you, keep moving forward on the Purple Trail. Not long after, you’ll come to a junction with the White Trail—stay true and continue along the Purple Trail.
• The path will soon seem to split—when it does, stay to the right to remain on Purple. Keep going, and you’ll arrive at the remnants of an old, fallen train trestle, a relic from Gillette’s railway days.
• Climb the Purple Trail on your left, following it uphill until it intersects with the Orange Trail. Then, curve back down to the right as the Purple Trail loops around the collapsed trestle.
• You’re getting close! At the next trail split, take the left path. Cross over a sparkling quartz rock embedded in the trail, and soon you’ll spot a shale slide on your left.
• Look closely—beneath a large slab of shale and tucked away behind a secret stone trap door, you’ll find Grumpy, likely grumbling about all the unexpected visitors. Don’t take it personally—it’s just his way. Give him a quick hello (if he lets you!), then kindly return him to his snug little hideout so he can continue muttering in peace.

To Return
From here, you can backtrack along the Purple Trail, or continue around the bend—this is the very spot where Gillette’s train once turned back to head home.

5 - Happy (Orange Trail)
Begin your adventure at the Orange Trailhead, with the park road behind you and the trail ahead full of promise.

• As you wander along, the trail will offer you a choice: left or right. Choose left between two trees and let the path draw you into the forest’s quiet charm.
• Keep your eyes open—you’ll pass a stone sculpture on your left, a sign that you’re getting warmer.
• Your journey will pass a single Orange blaze two sister tree on the right. At this point the trail will start downhill.
• Not long after, you’ll spot a grand Wolf Tree on your left, its branches wide and welcoming.
• Take a stroll around behind the Wolf Tree, and you’ll uncover a cheerful surprise—Happy, beaming with joy, tucked beneath a hidden stone trap door! He’s been waiting patiently to share a smile and brighten your day. After saying hello and soaking up a bit of his good cheer, don’t forget to gently return him to his cozy hideaway beneath the stone, ready to spread happiness to the next lucky visitor.

To Return
You may continue happily enjoying beauty of these woods following along the Orange trail, or you may backtrack along the Orange trail to head home.

6 - Sleepy (White Trail)
Your journey begins at the White Trailhead, with the paved parking lot behind you.

• Cross the gentle bridge with a pond on your left, and let the peacefulness set the mood.
• When the trail splits, take the right fork. As you stroll, a rocky cliff wall will rise to your left—once it ends, take 16 measured steps forward.
• Keep an eye out on your left for a tall oak tree standing like a guardian of the trail. Nestled at its base, behind a hidden stone door, Sleepy is curled up, lost in a peaceful forest nap. Gently wake him with a quiet hello—just don’t be too loud, he really values his beauty sleep! When you're done, kindly tuck him back beneath the stone door so he can continue dreaming beneath the rustling leaves.

To Return
From here, you should backtrack along the White trail to return from whence you came.

7 - Sneezy (Blue Trail)
At the William Gillette sign in front of the Castle, look to your left—a gravel road winds away, inviting you forward with the Castle on your right.

• Follow this road until you reach the second set of wooden stairs on your right (they’ve got handrails), and a picnic pasture will spread out on your left.
• Step onto the Blue Trail, and watch for a series of stones will jut into the path from your right.
• At the third stone jutting from the right side of the trail—just beyond a water pipe sneaking out from beneath the path—keep your eyes sharp. Tucked beneath a rocky overhang, hidden behind a secret trap door, Sneezy lies in wait, doing his best not to let loose a sneeze! If he happens to bless you with one, be sure to return the favor with a kind word. Then, gently place him back in his cozy hiding spot under the stone, ready to surprise the next adventurer.

To Return
You may continue along the Blue trail to where Osaki’s house sits on the bank of the Connecticut River, or you may backtrack to the gravel road and return from whence you came.