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.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Saturday March 5, 2016 - Pulpit Rock / Appalachian Trail


5 moderate to strenuous miles

We will take a winter hike to Pulpit Rock on the A.T. following the Furnace Run Road and a red blazed side trail, returning via the A.T. Should the trail be icy or the weather uncooperative, the hike may be modified into a road hike starting at the same location. Lunch after the hike at C.J. Hummel’s Restaurant on Rt. 143 in Lenhartsville.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, Hamburg Reservoir parking area at the end of Reservoir Road, off of Old Rt. 22 about two miles east of Hamburg

For more information or further directions contact:  610-921-3252 or on morning of hike 610-451-5380 

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Saturday February 27, 2016 - Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area


7 to 8 moderate to challenging miles

This is a nice, wooded trail hike! Weather permitting, we will start by hiking up a steep fire road to Elders Run Trail. Following Elders Run Trail to Middle Creek Trail, then back to the parking area. There will be a long steep hill and stones to contend with. If there is much snow on the ground, we will find an alternate route. Bring water and snacks. There are several places in the area for lunch after the hike.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, Middle Creek Visitors Center 

For more information and further directions contact: 717-949-2056 

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Saturday February 20, 2016 - Wyomissing Park / Shillington


approx. 4 to 6 easy miles

This is an easy hike starting at Shillington/Wyomissing towards the Reading Museum. This is a scenic trail as we pass through an evergreen trail with views of old stone homes. Lunch later of course!

Meeting place: 10:00 am, Wyomissing Park Soccer field

Directions: Located near the intersection of Museum Road and Business Rt. 222 behind the WAWA, access the park by turning off Rt. 222/Lancaster Avenue into the parking lot behind the WAWA (across the street from Gallen Insurance and Dunkin Donuts)


For more info ration and further directions contact:  610-914-1357 

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Saturday February 13, 2016 - Coventry Woods


5.5 moderate to strenuous miles

Enjoy a late winter hike in this beautiful North Coventry Township Park. Expect some hills to keep warm. We will finish the hike on the expanded Love Valley Trail. Wonder what happens here??? Snowy or Icy roads will cancel this hike.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, main lot at Coventry Woods

Directions (1): Take Rt. 724 east from Birdsboro. About 3⁄4 mile past River Bridge Road (the road/bridge leading to Douglassville), turn right onto Unionville Road. “All Type Fence” is located here. Follow Unionville Road 2.1 miles past Temple Church and Shenkel Church. Turn right at St. Peter’s Road, then after 1⁄2 mile, turn left into Coventry Woods (Fernbrook Lane is to the right). Parking is just over the crest of the hill.


Directions (2): From Rt. 23, take St. Peter’s Road through St. Peter’s Village and continue 4 more miles on St. Peter’s Road. When you see Fernbrook Lane to the left, turn right into Coventry Woods.


For more information or further directions contact: 610-323-1703 

Saturday, January 2, 2016

Saturday February 6, 2016 - Schuylkill River Trail Gibraltar


6 to 7 easy miles

The hike will start at the Angstadt Lane Trailhead behind Hafer Petroleum off of Rt. 724. We will hike to Gibraltar for a quick view of the Allegheny Aqueduct Historical Park and will also see the confluence of Allegheny Creek into the Schuylkill River. We will return by Old River Road, eventually returning to our starting point on the Schuylkill River Trail. Dress appropriately for the weather and carry water.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, 34 Angstadt Lane behind Hafer Petroleum off Rt. 724 

Directions: Angstadt Lane is near the intersection of Rt. 724 and I-176; look for the trailhead parking signs on Rt. 724 and drive back Angstadt Lane to the Schuylkill River Trail parking lot.
For more information and further directions contact: 610-796-7602