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.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Saturday March 15, 2014 - Hamburg Reservoir / Port Clinton

6+ moderate to strenuous miles

This AT hike is rated moderate to strenuous with climbs, rocks and a steep descent BUT – Oh what a view from the top! Starting with uphill to ridge line following a forested path to 2nd short ascent to outstanding view of Hamburg/Cabela‘s. Stop for lunch/snack on trail before switchback down to Port Clinton.
Meeting place: 9:15 am, Port Clinton playground off Rt. 61 (1st left entering Port Clinton) 

For further information and directions, contact: 610-775-2677 Home; 610-301-7271 Cell

Saturday March 8, 2014 - Cornwall Area Hike

Approx. 5 1⁄2 miles

Hike around the historic Cornwall Community with roads and some trails, past the old mining area and workers’ homes. See the former mansion, now a nursing home. Dress appropriately for the weather.

1st Meeting place: 9:30 am, Boyer’s Market, Rt. 422 and Rt. 419, Womelsdorf
2nd Meeting place: 10:00 am, parking are for the Rail-Trail along Rt. 419, Cornwall


For further information and directions, contact: 610-678-5245

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Saturday March 1, 2014 - French Creek State Park

6-7 miles, moderate with some ups and downs

Ready for a late winter walk? Come out for a scenic hike on the Horseshoe Trail, some side trails and along several quiet back country roads. We will end up at a hunter’s parking lot across from a pine swamp. This is a shuttle hike. Lunch is an option afterwards.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, parking lot across from the French Creek State Park office on Park Road

for further information and directions, contact: 610-286-6886

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Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Saturday February 22, 2014 - Schuylkill Canal Towpath Hike

4-5 miles

This hike begins in the village of Port Clinton and follows the old towpath along the Schuylkill River. It is mostly woodland trail walking with some hills and road walking. Hope to see some beautiful ice formations on the cliffs. There is also a cemetery with some very old tombstones that we can explore on our descent back to the village. We will be adjacent to game lands, so wearing orange may be a good idea. Wear good boots and carry water as well. Optional lunch stop afterwards.

1st Meeting place: 9:30 am, Redner’s Market Rt. 61 North, Leesport
2nd Meeting place: 10:00 am, parking area just beyond the railroad property on the left side of Broad Street in Port Clinton, in view of playground


for further information or directions, contact:  610-929-9694

Monday, January 27, 2014

Saturday February 15, 2014 - Bartram Trail

Approx. 5 miles

Follow leader as he guides hikers on the Bartram Trail section of the Schuylkill River Trail to Landingsville. We will circle the marsh, the home of 211 species of birds and an active beaver dam, before returning to our starting point. A restaurant stop after the hike is an option, for those interested.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, Redner’s Market Rt. 61 North, Leesport 

For further information and directions, contact: 610-926-3415

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Saturday February 8, 2014 - Gravity Trail

Approx 4 1/2miles

Hike the 4 1/1 mile Gravity Trail, recently opened care of the Berks Conservancy. This trail begins at Neversink Mountain on South18th Street at the water tower, ending at the parking lot for Antietam Lake Trails just off Angora Road at Hill Road. Our group will meet at Antietam Lake parking area and shuttle the group to Neversink. There will be historic signs along the route explaining about the Gravity Railroad.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, Angora Road and Hill Road parking area of Antietam Lake; please call leader if weather is questionable...Orange suggested as is a lunch stop after the hike at Klingers on Carsonia Avenue

For further information and directions, contact:610-913-0284 or DOH 610-413-6281

Friday, January 24, 2014

Saturday February 1, 2014 - Berks County Parks Hike

Approx. 7 1⁄2 miles

Hike leader will take hikers on this shuttle hike on several of Berks County Parks’ trails. After a shuttle to Ken-Grill swimming pool and to the trailhead parking lot of the newly opened Angelica Creek Trail we will begin hiking. The trail will lead through Angelica Park and connect with the Thun Trail at Brentwood. We will follow the Thun Trail to a split off at Schuylkill Avenue on to Union Canal Towpath Trail. View the Bushong Dam and the confluence of the Schuylkill River and Tulpehocken Creek before returning to Gring’s Mill parking lot.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, Gring’s Mill parking lot across from Penn State Berks Campus 

For further information and directions, contact:LEADER: 610-926-3415

Monday, January 6, 2014

Saturday January 25, 2014 - State Gamelands 106

Approx. 5 – 6 miles – Strenuous due to uphills!

Group will meet at Redner's Market in Leesport and car pool to beginning of today's hike on State Gamelands 106 off of the road to Hawk Mountain. Hike will take us on several trails to top of the mountain ridge, returning on a different trail.

Meeting place: Redner's Market Route 61 North in Leesport

For further information or directions, contact: 610-913-0284 or DOH 610-413-6281