Preserve trails are open!
The Cathance River Nature Preserve is located in the Highland Green Village located off the Route 196 Coastal Connector bypass in Topsham.
Read these directions carefully- visitors sometimes get lost!
To Highland Green:
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. On your left, you will see white fencing and flags. Turn left at the traffic light, into the Highland Green entrance.
To the Cathance River Nature Preserve Visitor and Ecology Center Parking:
After you have entered Highland Green, stay straight for 1.5 miles. You will pass the golf club on your left. Stay on Evergreen Circle, the winding main village road of Highland Green, for approximately 1 more mile.
When you see Junco Drive on the left, the parking area for the Ecology Center and hiking is just ahead, on the left. Please park at a slight angle with the nose of your car toward the woods. To the left of the parking area, you’ll see a wooden kiosk with a map of the Preserve. The Ecology Center is not visible from the parking area. Do not drive down Rensenbrink Way – there is no parking at the Ecology Center, and the road is not plowed in winter.
The Heath Trail starts on the opposite side of Evergreen Circle from the stone bench (look for a wood bench across the road, marking the trail entrance). Please note that the west side of the Heath Trail is permanently closed, but the east side of the trail is open, offering good views of the Heath, especially from the Heath Outlet.
To reach the Ecology Center or access the rest of the trail network, head down the stone stairs to the right of the kiosk and stone bench. At the bottom of the steps, head right on the dirt road (Rensenbrink Way) to reach the Ecology Center (approximately 2-3 minute walk).
Important Note: Street parking is not allowed at Highland Green. If the Ecology Center lot is full, please return another time.
2023 Trail and Parking Changes
Some trails were re-routed in 2023 to bring all trails into the Preserve. Download this trail map for a printable map of open trails. Please respect trail closure signs to avoid walking through homeowner yards.
All hikers should park at the Ecology Center parking. The area formerly referred to as Hiker Parking (previously located elsewhere on Evergreen Circle) is permanently closed. Please park carefully to ensure that you are far enough off the road and to accommodate as many cars as possible. If the Ecology Center parking area is full, additional parking may be available at the Community Center or Golf Course, using sidewalks to reach the Preserve.
Important Information:
Highland Green is a private Active Adult Community that has both public and private areas. Though the trails and golf course are public – the roads are private, and courtesy and safety should rule the day when one is traveling through the community.