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"! ****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.

Monday, August 18, 2025

Saturday September 27, 2025 - TREXLER NATURE PRESERVE

Approx. 7 moderate to strenuous miles

We will be hiking much of the Border Loop, but we will substitute and easier route in the middle part of the preserve. These trails have many elevation changes, some steep. Beautiful views. Should take about 4 hours on the trail. Lunch options afterwards.

Meeting place: 9:30 AM at 4935 Orchard Road, Schnecksville, PA 

Directions: Take 22 to 309N toward Schnecksville. Go about 5 miles and turn left onto Old Packhouse Rd. Go about 1 mile and turn right onto Orchard Rd. Parking lot on left. 

GPS: 4935 Orchard Road, Schnecksville, PA [40.65614, -75.61470]

For more directions or further questions, contact:  484-284-0946


Friday, August 15, 2025

Saturday September 20, 2025 - SAND SPRING LOOP TRAIL

4-5 moderate miles

This will be a 4 to 5 Mile loop with a brief stop to view bubbling Sand Spring.

Meeting place: 9:30 a.m. at State Game Land 110 Sharlesville Parking Area

Directions: From Shartlesville, take Mountain Rd toward Hamburg. Take Forge Dam Rd. to the left, where Mountain Rd bears to the right, for 1.5 Miles to the parking area. If you get to the entrance to the Amazon Warehouse (when coming from Shartlesville), you've gone too far on Mountain Rd. 

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

For more directions or further questions, contact: 412-445-7319


Wednesday, August 13, 2025

Sunday September 14, 2025 - ICE CREAM HIKE / PENNSIDE DRIVE IN

Approx 4 easy miles

Enjoy an early fall walk around the Pennside area! We will Travel through neighborhoods to enjoy the scenery. Mostly level streets and possibly some hills depending on if we travel up or down on Carsonia Avenue. Return for ice cream and burgers at the Pennside Drive In. 

Meeting place: 4:30 pm at the Pennside Drive-In. Please park on the far lot area to the right of the drive-in.

GPS: 916 Carsonia Avenue, Reading 19606 [40.34284, -75.87641]

For more directions or further questions, contact:  610-823-9023


Monday, August 11, 2025

Saturday September 13, 2025 - BIRDSBORO PRESERVE

4-5 easy to moderate miles

Lots of water on this hike, as we will walk around the two prettiest lakes at the Birdsboro preserve (not the rock climbing lake), and along Hay Creek.  There is one rocky descent, but in general, walking sticks won't be needed.

Meeting place: 9:30 am at the end of Hay Creek Road

Direcrtions: Note: NEW PARKING DIRECTIONS: Go 422 East, Right onto South Center Road. Make a Left onto Main Street. Right onto Chestnut St. (aka Rt. 345). Go about 2 miles, make a right onto Geigertown Rd. Go about 2.2 miles, then make a right onto Mullen Hollow Rd. Go till the first stop sign, right onto Hay Creek Rd. Immediately stay to the right to stay on Hay Creek Rd. Go to the end of the road, and park on the right side.

GPS: Approximate - 2100 Hay Creek Rd. Birdsboro, PA 19508 [40.23907, -75.82999]

For more directions or further questions, contact: 484-374-8964


Monday, August 4, 2025

Saturday September 6, 2025 - EPHRATA RAIL TRAIL

4-5 easy miles

This is an enjoyable rail trail walk. We will travel as far as we want to go and turn around to return to the parking lot. Some of the trail can be quite sunny, be prepared. Lunch will follow at Gus’s Restaurant, 3687 Rothsville Road, Ephrata. Severe weather will cancel.

Meeting place: 10 AM. at Parkview Heights parking lot

Directions: Take Rte 272 south to Ephrata. Turn left at Wendy’s, (traffic light) onto Parkview Hgts Rd. Go about two blocks (notice yellow rail-trail signs) and at stop sign, turn left into parking lot.

GPS: Very close, use 1098 Steinmetz Road, Ephrata. Parking Lot [40.16995, -76.19475]

For more directions or further information, contact: 610-823-9023