Cathance River Nature Preserve and Head of Tide Park, Topsham

This is one of my favorite walks. It is a wonderful, surprisingly wild-feeling preserve despite being adjacent to the sprawling Highland Green development.

The trail is made up of many loops, so you can go for a considerable distance or keep your walk brief. Check the Cathance River Education Alliance’s map below, which shows all the trail loops and their distanes. I usually start my walk at the Heath. Mica and other minerals sparkle along a portion of the trail. In the old days you could walk completely around it, but newer maps show half the loop is closed now. The shortened path still brings you to a boardwalk with beautiful view points over the heath, as well as to small quarries filled with dark water.

To access the charismatic river, head toward the Ecology Center. For easiest walking on a trail that is very close to being wheelchair accessible, take Rensenbrink Way to Barnes Leap Trail (marked in orange on my map). You can find the start of Rensenbrink on Junco Road, just around the corner from the main trailhead and parking lot. This trail will bring you by the Ecology Center and down to the river at a point where it has carved a deep gulch into the rock.

From this point, you can follow less easy footpaths along the mercurial Cathance for quite a way as it changes from mild and meandering to frothy and roaring, and back again. Three other loops make up the system by walking the Beaver, Rapids or Ravine Loop trails. Other than Rensenbrink Way, most of the trails at this preserve are moderate, as they have roots, rocks, and dips. There are some scenic rapids on the Cathance River Trail West, east of the intersection of Rapids Trail. I’ve marked a waterfall with a red icon on my map.

From the Ravine Loop, you can link to the Cathance River Corridor Heritage Trail, which isn’t as dramatic as the preserve’s trails, but is quiet and peaceful. Dogs are allowed on this side of the river. You can also start the Corridor Trail at Head of Tide Park.

Every Sunday, the CREA Ecology Center is open to the public from 12-2 p.m. Volunteers are on hand to answer questions about mammals and birds, share hands-on activities for kids, and suggest hikes on the preserve. Snowshoes can be borrowed during those hours when there’s snow on the ground. In the winter months, snowshoes are available to loan during the Sunday open house hours to explore the Preserve trails. Youth and Adult sizes are available on a first come first serve basis.

Directions: Traveling on Maine I-295 North or South, take the Topsham Exit 31. Turn east toward Brunswick, onto Rt. 196 East. An overhead sign will indicate: Rt. 196/Cooks Corner/ Bath/ Rt. 1. Continue straight ahead. Travel 1.2 miles — straight through the Lee Toyota intersection. Travel approximately 0.5 miles. Turn left at the traffic light into the Highland Green entrance. Once you have entered Highland Green’s entrance road, follow the “Cathance River Nature Preserve Visitor and Hiker Parking” signs to reach the parking lot. There are limited spots (about 10) in the lot. If this parking area is full, you may park at the Community Center or Golf Course and walk along the sidewalks to reach the preserve.