To be determined
Berks Community Hiking Club
BCHC is a hiking club that is located in Berks County, PA. The club was first organized in the Fall of 1921. This is the official club site. Anyone is welcome to attend our hikes. We list weekly hikes that range from short easy strolls to strenuous hikes. The type of hike depends on the leaders that volunteer to fill our quarterly schedules. This site lists some of the recent scheduled weekly Saturday hikes. Click on Web Version at bottom of mobile view to see membership information.
General Club Facts:
- Berks Community Hiking Club
- Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States
- See Membership Information section on how to join our hiking club!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"! Dues are $15.00 annually****Hiking and Trail Guidelines: ** Be courteous & stay behind the leader unless directed otherwise.** Offer $.15/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. Contact us at: Berks Community Hiking Club PO Box #3611 Reading, PA 19606
Monday, July 27, 2026
Sunday, July 26, 2026
Wednesday August 26, 2026 - ICE CREAM BIKE/HIKE – EPHRATA RAIL TRAIL
Bike ride approximately 13 miles. Bike rides should take 60-80 minutes. If walking, walk for 30-40 minutes, turn around, and return.
1st MEET & TIME: CARPOOL - 4:30 PM at Barnes & Noble 2751 Papermill Road, Broadcasting Square Shopping Center, Wyomissing
2nd MEET & TIME: 5:00 PM - Ephrata Rail Trail, 200 Railroad Ave., Ephrata, PA 17522
ICE CREAM: Fox Meadows Creamery 2475 W. Main St. Ephrata, PA 17522
RIDE/HIKE LEADER: Call 610-334-2299 for questions & further directions
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Sunday August 23, 2026 - ICE CREAM HIKE – SCHUYLKILL RIVER TRAIL THEN SCOUPE DEVILLE!
Short easy flat hike
An Afternoon walk along the Schuylkill River Trail returning to get ice cream at Scoupe Deville
MEET & TIME: 2:00 PM Gibraltar Road & 724 lot with more parking across from Turkey Hill
DIRECTIONS: If going from Reading take 422 bypass toward Pottstown. Take the Mount Penn Exit and bear right onto Neversink Road. Turn left at Painted Sky Road and follow to intersection of Painted Sky Road & Gibraltar Rd. and turn right onto Gibraltar Road.
If on 422 business going West from Pottstown take left onto Gibraltar Road or if going on 422 business going East take right onto Gibraltar Road.
For all directions, follow Gibraltar Road to Route 724 & go straight past light and turn immediately right into Schuylkill Trail parking lot next to Cedar Hill Flowers.
For ice cream afterwards, turn left onto Main St. out of SRT parking lot. Follow Main St. past Scoupe DeVille and immediately turn right onto Old Gibraltar Rd. and turn immediate right into Scoupe DeVille Parking lot is behind the ice cream shop. If full go across intersection on Old Gibraltar Road and use lot at the park.
NOTE CONSTRUCTION BRIDGE IS CLOSED: If going East on Bypass you must take Mount Penn exit off 422 Bypass since 724 is closed for detour of bridge construction, you CANNOT exit at I-176 and take immediate exit to 724 East to get there.
GPS: 3326 Main Street Birdsboro [40.28331, -75.86871]
HIKE LEADER: Call 484-818-3813 for questions & further directions
Rain will cancel
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Saturday August 22, 2026 - ANTIETAM LAKE / ANGORA FARM PARK
Approx 5 - 6 miles on moderately hilly trails
We will be walking some less traveled trails on Mount Penn starting at the previous Angora Fruit Farm that is now a park. We will visit the Tower. Bring water and snacks for the hike. Pack a lunch to eat at the Orchard afterwards & bring a camp chair to sit.
MEET & TIME: 9:30 AM at park office at the Angora Fruit Farm at 502 Angora Rd.
DIRECTIONS: Coming from Reading on Perkiomen Ave., turn left on N. 23rd St at CVS, If coming from Exeter or Bypass onto Perkiomen Ave., make a right onto N. 23rd St. Follow 23rd St & it turns into Carsonia Ave. Follow Carsonia to end at multiple road intersection in Stony Creek and make a left onto Antietam Road. Make first left onto Angora Rd. Wind around lake past main parking lot and follow Angora Rd. to Angora Fruit Farm entrance on left at 502 Angora Road. Look for a small sign on the left and turn left toward the park office / farm house.
GPS: 502 Angora Rd., Reading 40.35902 -75.88246
HIKE LEADER: Call 610-223-6952 for questions & further directions
NOTE: Pack a lunch to enjoy after the hike at the orchard grounds. Bring a camp chair.
Leaders will provide refreshments and some extra snacks to go with lunch!
Monday, July 20, 2026
Thursday August 20, 2026 - HOPEWELL LAKE
3 or more miles
Hike will be led on a fairly easy hike from Hopewell Lake to Scott’s Run Lake and return. Only 1 small hill. Option to return after 3 miles or hike all around Lake for 4.5 miles. Mostly shady except for dam breasts.
MEET & TIME: 10:00 AM, Hopewell Boat Launch.
DIRECTIONS: from Birdsboro take PA-345 South and turn right onto Park Road. Travel 1.8 miles and look for Boat Launch parking on the left.
P.S. Don’t forget the bridge on route 724 at Gibraltar is still under construction and closed to traffic.
HIKE LEADER: Call 484-877-3340 with questions or directions
Friday, July 17, 2026
Saturday August 15, 2026 – OFF ROAD & ROAD TOUR FOR FLEETWOOD RESERVOIR
4 miles - easy to moderate
Hiking course will be both on and off road to back side of Fleetwood. Roughly four miles, easy to moderate.
MEET & TIME: 9:30 AM at Fleetwood Reservoir
DIRECTIONS: From Reading take Warren Street Bypass East to Pricetown Rd. (Rt 12) to intersection. Turn left on Memorial Highway Rt 662 towards Fleetwood. 1/4 mile down bear right on Houck Rd. Stay on Houck Rd....about .08 Mile turn right on Willow Rd. Half mile up on the left near water towers....
If using Mapquest...just plug in Fleetwood Reservoir. (approximate address 147 Willow Rd.)
GPS: [40.43853,-75.80888]
Lunch afterwards at Grand Central Tap Room. Intersection of Rt 662 and Fleetwood/Blandon Rd.
GPS: [40.45335 ,-75.81999]
HIKE LEADER: Call 610-944-5775 (W) 484-880-8140 (C) for questions & further directions
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Thursday August 13, 2026 - LEBANON VALLEY RAIL TRAIL (New Portion of Trail)
Approx 2.5 miles
Leader will take us onto a new portion of the Lebanon Valley Trail to Rail in Jonestown to check out. We will park at mid point giving us the opportunity to check the new portion; then back to mid point. There we can end our hike or go the other way to the bridge over Swatara Creek. (Eagles have been seen from this bridge). Heavy rain cancels the hike.
MEET & TIME: 10 AM at 333 West Market St, Jonestown next to Frostbitez restaurant, not in the Frostbitez parking lot.
DIRECTIONS: Interstate 78W to Rt 22W at Fredericksburg to RT 72 South, towards Lebanon, Left at first traffic signal, cross Swatara Creek, parking lot on the left by the creek.
HIKE LEADER: Call 610-603-6876 for questions and further directions
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Wednesday August 12, 2026 - MINIATURE GOLF OUTING AT SCHELL’S
Come join us again for some fun rounds of miniature golf. Lowest score gets a free ice cream! We can enjoy ice cream or burgers at Schell’s before or afterwards
MEET: 6:00 PM, Schell’s Miniature Golf, 4625 North Fifth Street Highway, Temple 19560
GPS: [40.40435, -75.92753]
EVENT LEADERS: Call 610-223-6952 or 610-823-9023 for questions & further directions
Monday, July 13, 2026
Sunday August 9, 2026 - ICE CREAM BIKE/HIKE – IRONTON RAIL TRAIL
Bike ride appox. 12 mi. Bike rides should take 60-80 minutes. If walking, walk for 30-40 minutes and return.
1st MEET & TIME: CARPOOL - 12:30 AM St Ann’s Episcopal Church in Trexlertown, 6667 Lower Macungie Road.
2nd MEET & TIME: 1:00 PM Ironton Rail Trail - 3853 Chestnut St. Coplay, PA 18037
ICE CREAM: Crystal Spring Farm 3550 Bellview Rd. Schnecksville, PA 18078
RIDE/HIKE LEADER: Call 610-334-2299 for questions & further directions
Friday, July 10, 2026
Saturday August 8, 2026 - WARWICK COUNTY PARK
4-5 miles, moderate
These woodlands provided timber used to make charcoal for the region's iron furnaces and forges in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Inn at St. Peter's Village is a nearby choice for lunch. Wear Orange during hunting season.
MEET & TIME: 9:30 AM – at the parking lot of Warwick County Park
DIRECTIONS: Address: 191 County Park Rd., Pottstown, PA 19465 - Take I-176 South to Morgantown, proceed East on Route 23 approximately 9 miles to Warwick village. Turn right on County Park Road (between houses in the village). Proceed 1/4 mile to park entrance on the left.
GPS: 40.16825, -75.71844
HIKE LEADER: Call 610-750-3115 for questions & further directions
Thursday, July 9, 2026
Thursday August 6, 2026 - LEBANON VALLEY RAIL TRAIL
3 – 5+ miles
Hike will be led as a variable length hike on the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail beginning in Cornwall and headed toward Mt Gretna. The main hike is expected to cover 2.5 miles or more before turning around. Since this is an out and back, hikers can choose to turn around before the main group does to shorten their distance.
MEET & TIME: 10 AM at the Root Beer Barrel on Route 419 at the trail head in Cornwall.
DIRECTIONS: Take Route 419 in Womelsdorf toward Newmanstown/Schaefferstown. As you
enter Cornwall on Route 419 the trailhead is to your right before the Stop sign.
GPS: 40.276926, -76.410976
HIKE LEADER: Contact 610-850-1855 for questions or additional information
Sunday, July 5, 2026
Saturday August 1, 2026 - NOLDE PARK
5-6 moderate miles
There will be hills and woods!
MEET & TIME: 9:30 AM at 1000 Church Road Parking
DIRECTIONS: Coming from Reading take Route 625, make a right at Church Road, parking is on your left after about a quarter mile (1000 Church Road).
HIKE LEADER: Call 484-818-3813 for questions & further directions
Rain will cancel
Saturday, July 4, 2026
Thursday July 30, 2026 - BLUE MARSH
Saturday, June 13, 2026
Sunday July 26, 2026 - ICE CREAM BIKE/HIKE – STRUBEL- UWCHLAN RAIL TRAIL
Bike ride appoximately 14 miles. Walk is your choice of distance with group. Bike rides should take 60-80 minutes. If walking, walk for 30-40 minutes, turn around, and return.
ICE CREAM: Chester Springs at Milky Way Farms - 521 E. Uwchlan Ave. Chester Springs, PA 19425
RIDE/HIKE LEADER: Call 610-334-2299 for quesIons & further direcIons.
Friday, June 12, 2026
Saturday July 25, 2026 - ONTELAUNEE TRAIL TO GRAFFITI BRIDGE
Approx. 6 miles, easy
A mostly flat & easy hike. In and out.
MEET & TIME: 9:30 AM Meet at Parking Area, Ontelaunee Lake Trails, 1599 Moselem Spring Rd, Hamburg, PA. Off SR 662.
GPS: [40.501280669643116, -75.88860515459703] 1599 Moselem Spring Rd., Hamburg
HIKE LEADER: Call 412-445-7319 for questions & further directions
Thursday July 23, 2026 - CROW'S NEST
3 or 5 miles
This is one of the many magnificent Preserves maintained by the Natural Lands Trust. Once again there are options for both a shorter and longer hike. Leader will Take us on the shorter hike, plan to walk alongside the beautiful French Creek and circle around the Chief’s Grove. It will be an easy walk with a slight incline up to the Chief’s Grove. The longer option will be led for a hike through woods to Bethesda Church and back.
MEET: 10:00 AM at 201 Piersol Road, Elverson PA
DIRECTIONS: From Birdsboro, take route 345 S to Hopewell Road. Turn left onto Hopewell Road. If you turn right you will drive into Hopewell National Historic Furnace Site. After driving about 2 miles on Hopewell Road, turn right onto Piersol Road. Look for the Preserve parking lot on the right.
P.S. Don’t forget the bridge on route 724 at Gibraltar is still under construction and closed to traffic.
HIKE LEADER: Call 484-877-3340 for questions or further directions