Berne, spanning approximately 64 square miles, is in the heart of the Helderberg Hilltowns. The town boasts the highest point in Albany County with West Mountain at 2,160 feet.
Berne, Knox, Westerlo & Rensselaerville
Knox is the northern-most Helderberg Hilltown. During the 19th Century, Knox manufactured millions of handmade, basswood pill boxes and is nicknamed "The Pill Box Capital of the World".
Rensselaerville, home to the Huyck Preserve, is in the southwestern corner of Albany County. Stroll down the historic Main Street, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, to see the distinctive Rensselaerville Library and a 19th century grist mill.
Westerlo has the largest population of the four Helderberg Hilltowns. The town recently celebrated 20 years of friendship with its sister city in Westerlo, Belgium!
Top Spots to Visit in the Hilltowns
John Boyd Thacher State Park
Thacher State Park, is situated along the Helderberg Escarpment, one of the richest fossil-bearing formations in the world. Even... More
WildPlay Elements Parks
Way, way up above your head, there’s an obstacle course where we throw everything at you: log ladders, ziplines, cargo nets, rope... More
Thompson´s Lake State Park
Thompson's Lake State Park, nestled in the mountains just four miles from the Helderberg Escarpment, is a popular camping ground... More
Mountain Winds Farms
Mountain Winds Farm’s primary product is maple syrup. Randy, a Master Forest Owner trained at Cornell University, started his... More
Helderberg Mountain Brewing Company
We are a NY farm licensed brewery located in East Berne. All of our beers are hand crafted in small batches using mostly local NY... More
Helderberg Hilltowns Assoc.
The Helderberg Hilltowns Association (HHA) consists of neighbors from Berne, Knox, Rensselaerville, and Westerlo, working together... More
Kuhar Family Farm
Our café menu features our farm raised meat, local veggies, local breads and pastries. More
Huyck Preserve
Trails are open from dawn to dusk year-round. Admission is free to walk and hike the trails, picnic, fish and boat (non-motorized)... More
Maple on the Lake
American restaurant on Warner Lake More
More to Explore in the Hilltowns
Family-Friendly Fun: 8 Playgrounds in Albany County
Albany County is full of great playgrounds for kids of all ages! Whether you're looking for a quick More
Five Unique Nature Finds in Albany County
Spring is in the air and summer is just around the corner which means it's the perfect time to get More
Albany County Day Trip Itinerary: Helderberg Hilltowns
Scoping out a day trip to Albany County? Plan a day exploring the Towns of Berne, Knox, Westerlo, More