General Club Facts:

Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States
Membership in the BCHC is $10.00 per person per year in order to receive the quarterly newsletter. Further information on membership can be obtained when attending a scheduled hike. Other subgroups within the BCHC are the "Thursday Wanderers." Most hikes are followed by a dinner stop. We call ourselves "The Eating Club with a Hiking Disorder"! ****Hiking and Trail Guidelines: ** Be courteous & stay behind the leader unless directed otherwise.** Offer $.10/mile to driver when carpooling. * *In the event of inclement weather, the hike may be canceled.** Please leave your pets at home.**If unable to keep a club commitment, please find a replacement. * Wear blaze orange during hunting season (Sept 1 to last day of Feb). * Appropriate footwear and attire should match the type of hike.** If you leave the hike early, notify the hike leader or ask someone to do that for you.** Bring water and food as the hike description and weather demand.* * Hiking involves risk. Come out prepared and know your capabilities. Each hiker is responsible for their own safety and well-being.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Friday August 31, 2012 - Full Moon Hike


Approx.3 miles
Take a hike under the full moon. After the hike, the tower will be open to take another hike to the top to view the moon better. As always, bring water, snacks and also bring a flashlight.


Meeting place: 7:30 pm, The Tower on top of Mt Penn


For further information & directions, contact: 484-529-8682 

Monday, July 30, 2012

Saturday August 25, 2012 - Horseshoe Trail Hike


Approx. 6 miles
This hike begins with a car pool to end point of hike just east of Rt. 100 North of Ludwig’s corner where the trail crosses Rt. 100. Arriving about 9:30 am, we will then shuttle hikers to the starting point just east of Rt. 113.


Meeting place: 9:00 am, Boscov’s East, Business Rt. 422 East, Exeter Twp.


For further information & directions, contact: 610-223-6952

Monday, July 23, 2012

Saturday August 18, 2012 - French Creek State Park / Lenni Lenape Trail


Approx. 6 moderate miles
This weekend we'll travel the Green Lenni Lenape Trail at French Creek State Park. Expect rocks, some hills, with a terrific view of Hopewell Lake and an old pavilion. We are the eating club with a hiking disorder – so lunch will follow!


Meeting place: 9:30 am, Scott’s Run Lake


For further information & directions, contact: 610-603-9461 

Monday, July 16, 2012

Saturday August 11, 2012 - French Creek State Park / Six Penny Lake


Approx. 5-6 moderate miles 
Herb will lead a woodland walk under a canopy of trees. We will walk through one of the group camping areas, descend into the site of the former Six Penny Lake, explore this long forgotten spot and then return to our cars. If we are quiet, perhaps we will hear the laughter of former picknicers and swimmers! Be sure to bring water and a snack and wear hiking boots. There are lots of rocks and a few hills. Lunch afterwards is optional. 


Meeting place: 10:00 am at parking lot across from the Fr.Creek Park Office on Hopewell Road 


For further informations & directions, contact: 610-286-6886 

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Saturday August 4, 2012 - Amish Farmland Road Hike


Approx. 6 easy miles
Follow Doug as he leads the way along gentle hills and back roads in Amish farmland. 



Meeting place: 9:30 am, Dollar Store Parking Lot, Kenhorst Plaza, Rts. 724 and 625; then carpool to start of hike at St. John’s Worship Center, Rt. 625

For further information & directions, contact: 610-777-4147; Cell #610-750-4097


Friday, July 13, 2012

Saturday July 28, 2012 - Schuylkill River Trail/ Historic Douglasville


Approx 5 – 6 miles
This will be a fairly flat hike in the Douglassville area. We begin our hike with a walk to the historic St. Gabriel’s Churchyard where noted colonial settlers William Bird, George Douglass, Andrew Robeson and Marcus Huling are buried. After this, we cross the Schuylkill River Trail to walk through old Douglassville. The Historic Preservation Trust of Berks County owns 4 buildings here. Can you name them? Continuing, we road walk along the Old Philly Pike, the original route from Pottstown to Oley and Reading, viewing a number of older homes. We return via the Schuylkill River Trail.


Meeting place: 10:00 am at the Douglassville/Schuylkill River trailhead

Directions: From Rte. 422 eastbound, after passing Keystone Villa at Morlattan and St. Gabriel’s Church, turn right between the Douglassville Hotel and Lords and Ladies, proceed past these buildings to the trail parking in the rearFor further information & directions, contact: 610-323-1703 

Saturday July 21, 2012 - Berks Community Hiking Club Picnic at Kutztown Park


See all your friends and enjoy a day of hikes, fun and food at the 23rd annual Berks Community Hiking Club picnic. See club flier and contact information in flier for details.



Thursday, July 12, 2012

Saturday July 14, 2012 - Weiser and Appalachian Trail Hike


Approx. 5 - 6 miles
This will be a loop hike starting at the Port Clinton Fire Tower, downhill to the Weiser Trail and then east to the Appalachian Trail. A short, northern hike on the A.T. and then back uphill to State Game Lands 106 and completing the loop back to the fire tower. Moderate walking on old road beds. See map of trails at “http://combinedschedules.blogspot.com.” Please call leader if weather is questionable. 



Meeting Place: 10:00 am, Redners Market, Rt. 61 North, Leesport


For further information and directions, contact: 610-913-0284 or cell 610-413-6281 (day of event) 

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Saturday July 7,2012 -Kelly's Run /Holtwood Recreation Area & Pinnacle Hike


6+ Moderate to Strenuous miles
This hike will include varied terrain along the trails leading to Kelly’s Run, Conestoga Trail and some roads. Wear clothing that goes along with the weather (it may be hot or raining).


1st Meeting Place: 9:00 am, Ollie’s Parking Lot, Business Rte 222 (Lanc. Ave) & Rt. 724 Shillington
2nd Meeting Place: 10:00 am, Holtwood Dam Rec Area


For further information or directions, contact: 610-589-5575