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, November 20, 2019

Wednesday January 1, 2019 - New Years Day Hike - Historical Myerstown

Approx. 4.5 easy miles

We will hike historical areas of Myerstown, mostly on streets and sidewalks, where we will see the Isaac Meier House, a park, retirement homes (facilities available), a church, seminary and the Institute of American Deltiology. Deltiology is the study and collection of postcards. At the Institute we may meet Mr. Donald Brown who started this collection of over 1 million postcards, with a focus on North American postcards. We will also remember departed Club member Bob Morris who hiked with us last New Year.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, New Beginnings Church parking lot

Directions: New Beginnings Church is on the left side of Rt. 422 West and is also the entrance to Stone Ridge Retirement Community. After you go through the light at Dutchway Restaurant, continue past Country Fare and a small gas station. We will park in the lower lot of the church.

NOTE: Enjoy pork & sauerkraut or lunch around 1 pm at Dutchway Restaurant 


GPS: 430 East Lincoln Avenue, Myerstown

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

Monday, November 18, 2019

Saturday December 28, 2019 - Leesport / Schuylkill River Trail

Approx. 4 easy to mod miles

Check out the Leesport area and Schuylkill River rail-trail with our trail guide! We will meet at Redners in Leesport, then carpool to the trailhead. The hike will be on a mostly level rail-trail and roads. Length of hike will depend on the weather. We may also hike to Mohrsville if the weather is not too cold or damp.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, Redners Market, Rt. 61 North, Leesport 

GPS: 5471 Pottsville Pike, Leesport

NOTE: Steady rain or snow cancels this hike


for more information or further directions, contact:  610-750-4097

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Saturday December 21, 2019 - Nolde Forest

Approx. 5 easy to moderate miles

The leaders will be leading a hike in Nolde on this first day of winter. This loop-hike will be on wide pathways with the option of doing only one loop for 2.5 miles if the group/leaders decides.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, Sawmill parking lot off of Rt. 625, 2 miles south of Rt. 724 & Kenhorst Shopping Center

GPS: 2910 New Holland Road, Reading


For more information and further directions, contact:  610-334-8379 & 484-709-6727

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Saturday December 14, 2019 - Birdsboro Watershed

5-6 miles + One Long Steep Hill!

We  will be led on this hike in and around the Birdsboro Watershed. The hike begins with a road walk close to 2 miles, then we will hike the Horseshoe Trail to enter the watershed. Local trails will take us to the scenic reservoir surrounded by pines. We will return via a closed section of the old Rt. 82.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, parking area on Hay Creek Road (former Rt. 82), north of Geigertown, .8 miles north of where Mullen Hollow Rd ends at Hay Creek Rd 

Directions: From the traffic light in Gibraltar at the Turkey Hill, travel east on Rt. 724, take the first right turn (about 1.2 miles), cross railroad tracks, turn left on Old River Rd, then immediately turn right onto Rock Hollow Rd. Drive 2.8 miles on Rock Hollow, cross Cocalico Rd, then drive 1.1 miles to the first stop sign at Hay Creek Rd. Turn left and drive .7 miles to the parking area.

GPS: 2 Elk Trail Lane, Birdsboro, then stay on Hay Creek Rd another .1 miles 
NOTE: Snowy or icy roads cancels this hike.

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

Saturday, November 2, 2019

Saturday December 7, 2019 - Annual BCHC Christmas Party - See Club Newsletter for Details, reservations required

Christmas party hike will be a shuttle to Antietam Lake for enjoyable time and good appetite!🌲