Head of Tide Park — Attraction in Topsham

This is a wonderful, secluded little park right on the beautiful Cathance river. It is a pretty new park, with a couple of covered picnic areas and a restroom. The trail system goes along the Cathance approximately to the east. This part of the river has several waterfalls and some rapids, but I'm not sure how far along you'd have to walk to get to see them. (I've been to the Cathance River Education Alliance trails, which are a couple of miles down the trail, and there are definitely waterfalls/rapids there.) In addition, the kayaking on the tidal side of the Cathance (to the west) is remarkable. There is a gorgeous waterfall right at the park, and you can go several miles downriver. I saw lots of wildlife after only going about a mile down river. Be careful, though, because at low tide there is very little water in the river bed. I got there at exactly low tide for Bowdoinham, and I had to wait about 1.5 hours before the incoming water to be high enough for me to get down river....

We were in the area and wanted to find a cool place to hike with our pup. This place came up in several searches and looked very promising. However as soon as we got there and started to look at the maps we realized dogs are welcome UNTIL you get to the preserve. Which was pretty much the whole point we came, to see the preserve and hike. We decided we would walk a bit until we hit the preserve. A very short walk through small patches of woods and you keep crossing roadways. Then as you finally get near the preserve it became a dangerously icy decline and the rope handholds were all down so we decided to turn around. Disappointed that it comes up as dog friendly but then when you get there and read you realize it's just "sort of dog friendly" as long as you don't actually want to hike and see the preserve. We left quite...

The was my first hike since my dog passed away. She was my hiking partner so I went somewhere new to hike. I was beyond thrilled!! It was peaceful beautiful and relaxing. Many different types of landscape and deep into the woods enough to release the pain I was feeling. The trail does cross a road without any signs to alert drivers of such foot traffic that was something to note for hikers with maybe Littles? 🤔 also we got so far into thr trail like a pro not taking note of the trail map ( I got this!!!) And found the signs seemed to point a little off? Maybe it was me and my emotions..... so i turned around to walk back no problem!! Tears obscure things lol. It was a place I will return many times in my future may even grow to love it more !! The falls were amazing and peaceful. ...