Cathance River Trail

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.