The 230-acre Cathance River Nature Preserve, accessed from the Highland Green development, is a cooperative effort between Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust, Highland Green, and Cathance River Education Alliance (CREA). Public hiking and cross-country ski trails connect the Highland Green property with the Cathance River, passing quarries and a fascinating, almost-circular heath sanctuary. A trail circles the perimeter of the heath sanctuary and connects to the remainder of the preserve through a narrow corridor. The preserve slopes down to the river through a mix of fields and forest and follows 1½ miles of the Cathance River. The Cathance River Trail (white blaze) generally follows along the river for two miles, and continues off the Preserve (across a 60 ft aluminum bridge) onto adjacent conservation land. The Highland Trail (blue blaze) is an upland trail connecting two sections of the Cathance River Trail. Trails feel remote despite the proximity to busy downtowns and this stretch of the Cathance River includes Class IV rapids that are exciting to view during spring high water.
Maps may be available at the Highland Green sales office and at the parking area. Alternatively, maps can be found online at the Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust website.
These trails are located on privately-owned, easement-protected land. Please respect the privacy of residents living in areas adjacent to easement land and stay on marked trails. Many who establish conservation easements do not go the additional step of allowing the public to use the land, so please treat this land and property respectfully so the public may continue to enjoy it.
Visit the Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust online for more information or contact:
The Cathance River Nature Preserve is located in the Highland Green development off the ME Route 196 bypass (Coastal Connector) in Topsham. From the intersection of US Route 201 and ME Route 196 in Topsham, take ME Route 196 east for 0.5 mile towards Bath and US Route 1 North. At the first traffic light, turn left into the Highland Green entrance (Village Drive). Follow Village Drive 0.7 miles and then continue straight onto Evergreen Circle and continue for about a mile. Right past Junco Road on the left is a parking lot for the Ecology Center and Cathance River trails.
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