Plan Your Hike
The trails at Highland Green and in the Cathance River Nature Preserve are open to the public daily. These trails form a series of largely interconnected loops, each less than 1.2 miles in length from the trail head. Click the link below to download your own trail map:
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Heath Trail
Trail rating: Easy to moderate
Trail distance: .75 mile
Notable features: heath, small quarries, wetlands
Description: This easy .75 mile trail is located in the center of Highland Green and circles the 30 acre Heath Sanctuary. A prime bird watching area, the trail is open and dry along the southern and eastern edges. The northern and western portions runs through forested wetlands and several log walkways help the hiker over the wettest sections. This portion of the trail includes a side path to a lookout point ending in the center of the heath, as well as a northern connecting trail to the main Nature Preserve area.
Trail rating: Easy to moderate
Trail distance: .75 mile
Notable features: heath, small quarries, wetlands
Description: This easy .75 mile trail is located in the center of Highland Green and circles the 30 acre Heath Sanctuary. A prime bird watching area, the trail is open and dry along the southern and eastern edges. The northern and western portions runs through forested wetlands and several log walkways help the hiker over the wettest sections. This portion of the trail includes a side path to a lookout point ending in the center of the heath, as well as a northern connecting trail to the main Nature Preserve area.
Barnes Leap Trail
Trail rating: Moderate to difficult
Trail distance: 1 mile
Notable features: Long section along river and access to a large vernal pool
Description: This 1 mile trail to the river can be accessed from the northernmost point of the Heath Trail or from the parking area by walking north on the Woods Road. The approach from the Heath Trail allows a view of a vernal pool before the merge with the Woods Road and the left turn down an easy slope to the river. Turning left just before the bridge, the trail follows the course of the river along a particularly calm area. The trail then turns away from the river at the tall stand of evergreens, which marks the end of the Nature Preserve, and runs back toward the Health Trail through a more difficult section of steep slopes and thick undergrowth.
Trail rating: Moderate to difficult
Trail distance: 1 mile
Notable features: Long section along river and access to a large vernal pool
Description: This 1 mile trail to the river can be accessed from the northernmost point of the Heath Trail or from the parking area by walking north on the Woods Road. The approach from the Heath Trail allows a view of a vernal pool before the merge with the Woods Road and the left turn down an easy slope to the river. Turning left just before the bridge, the trail follows the course of the river along a particularly calm area. The trail then turns away from the river at the tall stand of evergreens, which marks the end of the Nature Preserve, and runs back toward the Health Trail through a more difficult section of steep slopes and thick undergrowth.
Beaver Loop Trail
Trail rating: Moderate to difficult
Trail distance: .8 mile
Notable features: Views of river and a large beaver dam
Description: Assessable from the Woods Road north of the parking area this .8 mile trail descends slowly to the Cathance River. As you approach the river, there is a steeply sloped side trail to the left that winds along the river, ultimately merging with the Barnes Leap Trail. The Beaver Loop Trail turns right, entering a more wooded section high above the river. At the intersection with the Rapids Trail, the Beaver Loop turns right and offers a view of the Beaver Dam from an outlook just off the trail. The trail then winds steeply uphill through woods and underbrush back to the Woods Road.
Trail rating: Moderate to difficult
Trail distance: .8 mile
Notable features: Views of river and a large beaver dam
Description: Assessable from the Woods Road north of the parking area this .8 mile trail descends slowly to the Cathance River. As you approach the river, there is a steeply sloped side trail to the left that winds along the river, ultimately merging with the Barnes Leap Trail. The Beaver Loop Trail turns right, entering a more wooded section high above the river. At the intersection with the Rapids Trail, the Beaver Loop turns right and offers a view of the Beaver Dam from an outlook just off the trail. The trail then winds steeply uphill through woods and underbrush back to the Woods Road.
Rapids Trail
Trail rating: Moderate to difficult with several steep slopes
Trail distance: 1.18 miles
Notable features: Wonderful views and access to the wild portion of the river
Description: Beginning at the intersection with the Beaver Loop Trail, the 1.1 mil Rapids Trail descends steeply, crossing a small brook just below the beaver dam. It follows the river, whose character changes from calm pools to narrow sections of falls and rapids. Eventually, the trail turns sharply upward and follows old skidder tracks, remnants of the area’s logging past, climbing to the intersection with the main Woods Road. The entrance to the Ravine Trail can be found to the left and a return to the main Preserve to the right.
Trail rating: Moderate to difficult with several steep slopes
Trail distance: 1.18 miles
Notable features: Wonderful views and access to the wild portion of the river
Description: Beginning at the intersection with the Beaver Loop Trail, the 1.1 mil Rapids Trail descends steeply, crossing a small brook just below the beaver dam. It follows the river, whose character changes from calm pools to narrow sections of falls and rapids. Eventually, the trail turns sharply upward and follows old skidder tracks, remnants of the area’s logging past, climbing to the intersection with the main Woods Road. The entrance to the Ravine Trail can be found to the left and a return to the main Preserve to the right.
Ravine Trail
Trail rating: Easiest to moderate
Trail distance: .9 mile
Notable features: Quiet grassy woodlands
Description: Traversing an area of quiet, grassy woodlands, this easy trail of .9 miles leaves the Woods Road beyond the intersection with the Rapids Trail. The trail winds through the woods along the top of a steep ravine until it curves around to meet the Woods Road again at the easternmost edge of the Preserve. Turn right to follow the road back to the main Preserve.
Trail rating: Easiest to moderate
Trail distance: .9 mile
Notable features: Quiet grassy woodlands
Description: Traversing an area of quiet, grassy woodlands, this easy trail of .9 miles leaves the Woods Road beyond the intersection with the Rapids Trail. The trail winds through the woods along the top of a steep ravine until it curves around to meet the Woods Road again at the easternmost edge of the Preserve. Turn right to follow the road back to the main Preserve.