General Club Facts:

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

Saturday, April 25, 2026

Thursday June 4 - Thursday Wanderers - Neversink Mountain Laurel

4-5 difficult miles

Leader will take group for a hike up the Neversink glen when mountain laurel is likely to be in full bloom. We will try to hit sections of the mountain with much mountain laurel. Some steep hills.

1st MEET & TIME: 9:45 am Boscov’s East in the far front corner of the parking lot 

2nd MEET & TIME: 10:00 am at the Klapperthal Trailhead. Tight, limited parking here. 

HIKE LEADER: contact 610-850-1855 for information & questions

Friday, April 24, 2026

Wednesday June 3 , 2026 - MINIATURE GOLF OUTING AT SCHELL'S

Come join us for some fun rounds of miniature golf. Lowest score gets a free ice cream! We can enjoy ice cream or burgers at Schell’s afterwards

MEET & TIME: 6:30 PM, Schell’s Miniature Golf, 4625 North Fifth Street Highway, Temple 19560

GPS: [40.40435, -75.92753]

EVENT LEADERS: contact 610-223-6952 or 610-823-9023 for information & questions


Friday, April 17, 2026

Saturday May 30, 2026 - MIDDLECREEK OVERLOOK HIKE

Approx. 5 miles moderate

Leader will take the group on a approximate 5-mile hike at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area. This hike will visit three overlooks with several hills to climb to get there.    

MEET& TIME: 10:00 AM, at the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Visitors Center

DIRECTIONS: From 272 south, take Rte 897 north for 14 miles to Kleinfeltersville, then take the first left after the stop sign onto Hopeland Road, then travel 2 miles to the Visitors Center.

GPS: 100 Museum Road, Stevens 17578

HIKE LEADER: contact 717-949-2056 for more information & questions


Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Saturday May 23, 2026 - TOM LOWE TRAIL STATE GAME LANDS 110

Approx. 5 miles

Hike the Tom Lowe trail. This will take you to the ridge of the Blue Mountains so there is a hill to climb.

MEET & TIME: 9:30 AM – State Game Lands 110, Shartlesville Parking Area

DIRECTIONS: From Old Route 22 in Shartlesville, take Forge Dam Rd. toward the I78 interchange, continue past I78 on Forge Dam Rd and stay left on Forge Dam Rd at the 'Y' where Mountain Rd goes to the right.  Continue for 1.5 Miles to the parking area. Wear Orange

GPS: State Game Lands 110 Shartlesville Parking Area [40.537925, -76.12385]

HIKE LEADER: contact 610-944-5775 (W) or 484-880-8140 (C) for questions & further directions

Additional Note from leader: Wet areas, wear waterproof/resistant boots & bring poles in case needed.


Tuesday, April 7, 2026

Thursday May 21, 2026 - Thursday Wanderers - WILDWOOD PARK HARRISBURG

4.5 miles

1st LEAD HIKER will trek a moderate approximate 4.5 mile hike at Wildwood Park in Harrisburg, PA. The 3 mile loop has slight hills with blacktop and pathway mix surfaces. There are also broadwalks through the marsh/wetlands (1.25 miles). The park is surrounded by industry and major highways. This will not be a quiet walk in the woods but it's a very interesting place. We will see Art in the Wild while hiking. The works of art are composed of mostly natural materials to blend with Wildwood’s natural setting. The Olewine Nature Center will be the start/end of the hike. There are interesting exhibits and a wildlife observation deck. Optional lunch at the Front Street Diner

2nd Lead Hiker will lead a shortened version of this hike to be determined on the hike. Mapquest has the traveling time as an hour from Reading and 30 minutes from Fredericksburg.

1st MEET & TIME: 9:30 AM at the Fredericksburg Redners. 2975 US-22, Fredericksburg, PA 17026 DIRECTIONS: Rt 183 North to Interstate 78 West, exit Fredericksburg to Route 22. Redners is a mile or 2 on the right (next to Esthers)

2nd MEET & TIME at Visitor Center: 10 AM 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, PA 17110

DIRECTIONS: Interstate 78 to Interstate 81, Rt 22 East, R on Wildwood Park Dr which turns into Industrial Road, 1.2 miles Right on Wildwood Way

HIKE LEADER: contact 610 603-6876 for information & questions

Saturday, April 4, 2026

Saturday May 16, 2026 - NEVERSINK HIKE - ST LAWRENCE TRAIL

Approx. 4-5 miles

Leader will start on the St. Lawrence Trail Park at 26th and Fairview hopefully passing blooming Mountain Laurel proceeding to the McIlvain Pavilion, commonly known as the “Witch’s Hat” and to the Rock Quarry Overlook. We will go from there to the Upper Glenn Trail down to Jacks Loop and back up. We will take the East Ridge Trail to get back to where we parked. There will be two steep long hills with one being rocky. Bring poles and wear hiking boots. Pack some snacks to eat at the “Witches Hat” on top! 

NOTE: Heavy or annoying steady light rain cancels since we will hike over rocks in part of the hike.

MEET & TIME: 9:30AM at 26th and Fairview – park on residential street parking. 

DIRECTIONS: From Reading travel east on Perkiomen Ave into Mount Penn and turn right onto 26th Street. Find an available parking spot.

From Exeter travel west on Perkiomen Avenue and go past intersection at McDonald’s in Mount Penn. Turn left onto 26th Street right after you pass the Car Wash.

GPS: 26th Street and Fairview Avenue, Mount Penn 19606

HIKE LEADER: contact 610-505-9397 for questions & further directions 


Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Thursday May 14 - Thursday Wanderers - ROARING CREEK

5 1⁄2 miles

First Leader will lead a hike of about 5.5 miles in the Roaring Creek Valley watershed. Three lakes adjoin an 8 mile trail that runs from Route 42 to Route 54. We begin from Route 42, then veer off onto a side trail that takes us to one end of the mile long middle lake. We return via the main trail. The main trail is a relatively flat walk on a wide trail at the base of two mountains, somewhat similar to Gold Mine Rd. The veer off will be on a wooded trail with ups and downs.

Second Leader will lead a shortened 4 mile version of this hike taking the main trail in and out. Bring lunch. We will eat someplace along the trail Inclement weather will cause this hike to be deferred, and a hike at Blue Marsh will be substituted.

1st MEET & TIME: 8:30 AM at Church Road off Route 183. From here there will be a drive of about 1 hour 15 minutes to reach the starting point.

2nd MEET & TIME: 10 AM Route 42 trailhead.

DIRECTIONS: Take Route 61 north through Pottsville, Frackville, and Ashland. When reaching the bottom of the hill in Centralia, continue straight onto Route 42. Pass through Aristes and pass the Weiser State Forest Office. Toward the bottom of a long steep drive to the valley floor, the trailhead is to the left a block or two before the bottom of the mountain.

GPS: 40.837126, -76.355437

HIKE LEADERS: 1st Leader 610-850-1855 or 2nd Leader 484-877-3340 for more information or questions

Monday, March 30, 2026

Saturday May 9, 2026 - GRING’S MILL RECREATION AREA

Approx. 4 to 5 miles

We will hike the Union Canal Trail. We can go as far as we want and then turn around.

MEET & TIME: 9:30 AM at the Gring’s Mill parking lot.

DIRECTIONS: From Route 183 north, use the right lane to merge onto US-222 S via the ramp to Lancaster. Take Broadcasting Rd exit. Turn left onto Broadcasting Rd. Turn right onto Tulpehocken Rd the parking lot will be on your left.From Route 222 take the Papermill Rd exit. Turn right onto Berkshire Rd, at the T turn left onto Tulpehocken Rd. Parking lot is on the right.

Heavy rain would cancel the hike. We can do lunch at Ganly’s if anyone is interested?

GPS: 2083 Tulpehocken Road, Wyomissing, 19610 [40.3615668, -75.9717171]

HIKE LEADER: contact 610-587-9260 for information or questions


Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Thursday May 7, 2026 - Thursday Wanderers - LANDINGVILLE

4 miles

Our Leader will hike the Landingville Marsh Trail, a flat loop trail alongside the Schuylkill River that includes part of the John Bartram Trail and the foundation for the oldest transportation tunnel in the country. We will then use a little traveled road to the village of Landingville and return via the John Bartram trail. Hike will be around 4 miles; however, we can take the Marsh Trail to add some distance. There were facilities in the village in the past; I don’t know if they’re currently open.

1st MEET & TIME: 9:30 Hamburg Walmart at the South East section, off of Route 61 north of Hamburg. Turn left at traffic light at the Wawa after Interstate 78.

2nd MEET & TIME: Trailhead at 10:00

DIRECTIONS (TO TRAILHEAD): North on 61, West on 895 towards Auburn. Right on Hickory Dr (at the Dollar General), bear left at first Y, left left unto Tunnel Road (3rd left), Trail head on the right.

HIKE LEADER: contact: 610 603-6876 for further directions & questions


Saturday, March 21, 2026

Saturday May 2, 2026 - THE LOCKS AND BRIDGES OF LEESPORT

 4 to 5 easy to moderate miles

A history hike around Leesport and vicinity. We will see canal locks 36, 37, and 38, the "new" bridge replacing the original Althouse covered bridge (1820's and 1850's), the lock tender's house which should be open to the public, and the remains of the Leesport Furnace. The hike is on both trails and roads. Rain cancels this hike. Hikers' choice for lunch afterwards. 

MEET & TIME: 9:30 AM at the parking lot behind Schuylkill Valley Library

DIRECTIONS: From Reading take route 61 north to Leesport, make a left onto Wall Street (Turkey Hill is on the southwest corner). Cross the river and make an immediate left at end of bridge onto S. Schuylkill Ave. At the "T", turn left onto Main Street then make an immediate right onto Washington Street (soon changes name to Washington Road). Look for the library about 1/10 of a mile on your right. 

GPS: 1310 Washington Road

HIKE LEADERS: Contact 610-921-3252 or 610-451-5380 on the morning of the hike for questions or information


Monday, March 16, 2026

Thursday April 30, 2026 - HOPEWELL LAKE & HISTORIC SITE

3 to 4 miles

Leader #1 will lead a fairly easy hike from Hopewell Lake Boat Launch to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site and return.

Leader #2 will lead a longer version of this hike with the aim of starting with and ending with those doing the shorter hike.

MEET & TIME: 10:00 A.M. at Hopewell Lake Boat Launch, 1200 Park Road, Elverson PA

DIRECTIONS: From Route 724/Main St. in Birdsboro, turn right onto Route 345/S Chestnut St., travel 4.3 miles and turn right onto Park Road. Drive another 1.6 miles and look for the boat launch road and turn left.

HIKE LEADERS: Contact LEADER #1 484-877-3340 or LEADER #2 610-850-1855 for more information or further directions

NOTE:

It has been pointed out that Route 724 is closed for months beginning this week while a bridge is being reconstructed. This possibly affects those of you headed to Hopewell tomorrow from Shillington and Route 422 from Reading if you exit at Route 176.

The work around could simply be to use the road past the former Naomi Hotel and the Beidler House. Otherwise, taking the Route 422 bypass till it ends, then turning at West 47th St (just before Exeter Restaurant) to reach Route 724 is probably the alternative.

The group can compare notes after we get to the hike.