The Cathance River Trail snakes through mixed softwood and hardwood forests along some of the wildest sections of the Cathance River. The river is one of the area’s hidden gems, retaining a remote feel despite its proximity to Topsham’s commercial center. The trail originates at Topsham’s Head of Tide Park on Cathance Road, passing across land that is privately-owned land except for the old Rogers farm site, which is owned by the Town. It leads to a 60-foot aluminum pedestrian bridge over Clay Brook, which connects hikers to five additional miles of trails at Cathance River Preserve (which is currently closed). The bridge, locally designed and fabricated, fits beautifully into the landscape, providing safe passage for hikers during high water.
The Cathance River Trail is open to the public from dawn until dusk for hiking. Motorized vehicles and bikes are not permitted. Most of the Trail is located on privately-owned land. Please respect the generosity of landowners by staying on trails, observing posted trail rules, and treating the land respectfully so the public may continue to enjoy it. Picnic facilities and bathrooms are available at Head of Tide Park.
The Cathance River Trail leads to Clay Brook Bridge, which connects to the Cathance River Nature Preserve. The trails on the Preserve are currently closed to the public due to COVID-19 safety concerns. Please visit the Brunswick Topsham Land Trust website for updates on the status of the trails at Cathance River Nature Preserve.
This trail passes through a property that was acquired in part with funds from the Land for Maine’s Future program. For more information about the LMF program and the places it has helped to protect, please visit the LMF webpage.
Visit the Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust and the Town of Topsham online for more information or contact:
Heading to Topsham from Brunswick on the Frank Wood Bridge (green bridge across the Androscoggin), continue north on 201. At the first light, take a right on ME-24. Continue for approximately three miles and take a left on Cathance Road (just after a graveyard on your right). Continue on Cathance Road until you reach a bridge across the Cathance River, just past Adams Landing Road. Here, parking is available at the Head of Tide Park on the right just before the bridge. The trailhead is near the kiosk in the parking area.
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