An area of high hills and low mountains that contain the highest point in the state, Mt. Greylock. Streams are high gradient and lakes and ponds are rare.
Vegetation is generally northern hardwoods with some spruce-fir at higher elevations.
This area harbors farms, evergreen forests, transition and northern hardwood forests, and calcareous fens. The limestone in the area creates alkaline lakes and streams. The Deerfield, upper Westfield, Hoosic, and Housatonic Rivers drain this area. Lakes and ponds are relatively abundant. This area has deep soils that support northern hardwoods and spruce-fir forests.