Kiosk at small parking area on Gulf Hill Road, Berne. Follow the Conservancy's guides for seasonal access.

Keleher Preserve
447 acres on Wolf Hill and along the Helderberg Escarpment in Berne and New Scotland, Albany County. Moderate to steep trails. Hiking, nature observation, views of the Hudson River Valley. 

Members of the Keleher family provided the land, now managed by Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy.

This beautiful preserve has several trails of varying difficulty, marked with rustic blazes. Download and print a map from the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy's website. The website also has an online walking tour.

The White Trail

Hilltown History

South of the parking area was the hamlet of Reidsville in Berne. The early farmers faced daily challenges working the hilly, rocky land. Entrepreneurs capitalized on the abundance of rock and opened bluestone quarries. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Reidsville was home to quarry workers and their families, as well as two hotels that catered to travelers making their way over the very steep Cass Hill. More about Reidsville at Albany Hilltowns.

The Kushuqua, or Brates Hotel

Click on the photos for larger images and more information about Keleher Preserve.