A multi-tiered waterfall flowing over rocks in a forest with trees displaying fall foliage in shades of orange, yellow, and green.

Helderberg Hilltowns

The Helderberg Hilltowns — Berne, Knox, Rensselaerville, and Westerlo — are known for their historic sites, pastoral rural countryside, rolling hills, meandering creeks, waterfalls, and forest land, with distant vistas of the Catskill Mountains.

  • A horse standing in a fenced field with a backdrop of colorful, forested hills during fall, under a cloudy sky.

    BERNE


    Settled in 1795, Berne is flush with natural areas including Cole Hill State Forest, Fox Creek Park, Partridge Run Wildlife Management Area, and Thompson's Lake State Park.

    There are a number of farms (see: the Alpaca Shack) and historic buildings to visit and explore.

  • KNOX


    In the early 1800s, Knox had 15 one-room schools. School House No. 5, located on the grounds of Thacher Nature Center, is on the National Register of Historic Places. During the 19th Century, Knox manufactured millions of handmade, basswood pill boxes, earning its "Pill Box Capital of the World" nickname.

  • A rural landscape at dusk with open fields, a few houses, and mountain ranges in the distance under a sky with clouds

    WESTERLO


    Formed in 1815, Westerlo has the largest population of the four Hilltowns and is named after Rev. Eilardus Westerlo.

    Recreation sites include Lake Onderdonk and Bear Swamp Preserve — a National Natural Landmark formed 13,000 years ago with the retreat of the last glacier.

  • A forest trail during autumn with fallen leaves, a wooden railing, a small waterfall in the background, and trees with green and orange leaves.

    RENSSELAERVILLE


    Settled in 1787, most of the town’s buildings are built in a Greek Revival style and date to the early 19th century.

    See if you can find the hamlet’s seven historical markers and be sure to visit The Huyck Preserve and Ten Mile Creek.

    RENSSELAERVILLE HAMLET