Saturday August 22, 2015 - Annual Club Picnic!

BERKS COMMUNITY HIKING CLUB PICNIC

See your friends and enjoy a day of hiking, fun and food at the Annual Berks Community Hiking Club picnic, held again at Exeter’s Community Park. Reservations required, see attached flyer for details. 

Sunday August 16, 2015 - Intel's Pennside Drive-In Ice Cream Hike

It’s been awhile since we had an ice cream hike; something different for the end of summer. We will meet here then take a leisurely walk around the Pennside area to enjoy Carsonia Park and the interesting homes and gardens in this area.

Meeting place: 4:00 pm, Intel’s Pennside Drive In, 916 Carsonia Avenue, Stony Creek, Pennside

For more information and further directions, contact: 610-914-1357 or 610-823-9023 

Saturday August 15, 2015 - Exeter River Trail to Neversink Mountain

miles not listed

Enjoy a late summer hike as Randy leads the way along the Exeter River Trail. Heavy Rain Cancels!

Meeting place: 9:30 am, Exeter River Trailhead, Gibralter Road 

For more information and further directions, contact: 610-273-9160 

Saturday August 8, 2015 - Springs of Summer

Approx. 5 moderate to difficult miles

This will be a moderate to difficult hike due to stream crossings and steep descents on the Blue Mountain. We will visit Stephanie and Cold Springs via the old Windsor Furnace – Eckville public road and the Appalachian Trail. Wet feet are a possibility! Rain may shorten, but not cancel this hike. Lunch to follow at C.J. Hummel’s.


Meeting place: 9:00 am, Hamburg Reservoir parking area, end of Reservoir Road, off of Rt. 22 east of Hamburg

For more information and further directions, contact:  610-921-3252 or 610-451-5380 

Saturday August 1 - Audubon Vally Forge

Approx. 8 miles

We will start from the parking lot at the Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary and follow the trail to Pawlings Road. Then we will cross over into Valley Forge Park and find our way to the River Trail. At the Betzwood picnic area, we will access the Schuylkill River Trail to return. The terrain is fairly flat, but it may be a hot day, so be prepared. After the hike, there are a number of options including visiting the Audubon Mansion and lunch, of course! Bring your bike to ride on a nearby trail later if you wish.

First meeting place: 9:00 am, Boscov’s East (east end of lot), Business Rte 422, Exeter Twp.

Second meeting place: 10:00 am, Audubon Sanctuary parking lot


For more information or further directions, contact: 610-488-9269 or Cell 717-376-5289 

Saturday July 25, 2015 - French Creek State Park

5 - 6 miles

Hike with our Mary as she explores the trails within French Creek State Park. This hike is mostly on various woodland trails in French Creek State Park, as well as the historic area of Hopewell Furnace. Optional lunch stop afterwards.


Meeting place: 9:30 am, Hopewell Visitor Center, off of Rt. 345


For more information and further directions, contact: 508-612-3582 

Saturday July 18 - Hopewell Furnace National Park

5 - 6 miles

Follow our Leader for this mid-summer hike in the Hopewell Furnace National Park. This hike will be on various woodland trails. Optional Lunch stop afterwards. Heavy rain cancels.


Meeting place: 9:30 am, Hopewell Visitor Center off of Rt. 345

For more information or further directions, contact:  860-861-5681 

Saturday July 11, 2015 - The Highpoint of Berks County

 5 – 5.5 miles

Diane is leading this hike to get ‘high’ by taking us to the highpoint of Berks County. No, not the pinnacle, this is the true highpoint of Berks County. This hike will be along woodland trails with some rocks. Sign the logbook proving you are a “high-pointer!” Wear sturdy hiking boots, carry water and snacks as well as sunscreen and insect repellant. Optional lunch later at the famous Haag’s Hotel in Shartlesville.


Meeting place: 9:30 am, Parking lot off of Rte. 183 on the right, 2.8 miles from I-78

For more information and further directions, contact: 610-488-0231Th 

Saturday July 4, 2015 - Warwick Park Chester County

5 - 6 miles

This will be a round trip loop walk with some elevation, rocks and maybe one or two stream crossings on stepping stones – weather and water level permitting. The focus will be on lesser known and walked trails in Warwick Park. There will also be shorter, easier, early exit options as well. Lunch afterwards at the Bakery in St. Peters Village

Meeting place: 9:30 am, at the main entrance on Park Road, off Rt. 23 in Knauertown, 191 County Park Road, Pottstown, park in the large parking lot near the new park office and modern rest rooms

For more information and further directions, contact: 610-310-9942 (often no reception in the park) 

Saturday June 27, 2015 - Green Lane Reservoir

4-5 miles

A pleasant trail along the water with varying terrain and a few moderate hills (No swimming).

Meeting place: 10:00 am, Weis Market in Oley on Rt. 73 to carpool; Please call leader if you plan on meeting at the park

For more information or further directions, contact: 484-948-5084 

Saturday June 20, 2015 - Ephrata Ice Cream Hike

5-6 miles on country roads

Let’s do something different! How about a walk around the historic town of Ephrata? We will see the Ephrata Cloister and the Eicher Indian Museum, then walk along Cocalico Creek.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, Grater Memorial Park on the west end of Ephrata 

Directions: Take 222 South, 322 West, then turn left onto Fulton Avenue and then onto Cocalico Street by the Ephrata Business Center. Look for signs to the Grater Memorial Park and the Ephrata Playhouse parking lot

For more information or further directions, contact: 484-824-2740 

Saturday June 13, 2015 - Kernsville Dam

5 + miles on trails and roads

This hike will be mostly a woods walk along the Schuylkill River. This area was part of the project to clean up the river after years of contamination from the mines in northern Pennsylvania.

Meeting place: 9:00 am, at the lower Schuylkill River parking lot off of Rt. 61, beyond the Cracker Barrel Restaurant

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-670-1119 

Saturday June 6, 2015 - Neversink Mountain

6-7 miles

The Mountain Laurel may be in bloom for us to view and enjoy at this time. This hike covers sections of Neversink Mountain where the Mountain Laurel are plentiful. As always, Neversink has lots of rocks and some steep hills, but the view of Reading and the river are always worth the work.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, at the pond of the Forest Hills Cemetery 

For further information and directions, contact: 610-323-1703 

Saturday May 30, 2015 - Historic Poole Forge

5-7 casual miles

This relaxing road walk will start and finish at Poole Forge park, off of Rt. 23, Churchtown and amble along quiet country roads through Amish farm land. We will likely see farmers “working” their fields. If we are in luck, a resident historian will brief us on the history of the area and the various sites along the way. The actual hike distance will be determined by group preference. Lunch after the walk is an option. Rain Cancels!
Meeting place: 10:00 am, Poole Forge Park on Rt. 23, look for the parking area adjacent to the covered bridge
Directions (1): From Rt. 625 South, turn east onto Rt. 23 then continue 2.5 miles and turn right (across from Landis Computer) into Poole Forge Park
Directions (2): From Rt. 176 South, turn west onto Rt. 23 then continue 4.5 miles and turn left (Landis Computer will be on your right) into Poole Forge Park 

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-322-9670 

Saturday May 23, 2015 - Leaser Lake

5-6 miles, mostly on trails

We will hike around the lake on various trails. This area is mostly flat, passing through woods and fields. There are good views of the Blue Mountains to the north.

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

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-796-7602 

Saturday May 16, 2015 - Monocacy Hill

approx. 5-6 strenuous/difficult miles

This hike on the way to the top of Monocacy Hill is difficult, but the view is worth the effort! We can be sure the ice will be gone and maybe the leaves will not be in full bloom to interfere with the view. We will also plan to hike the Rail-bed Trail and Creek Trail before heading out to lunch in the area, for those interested.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, Monocacy Hill parking lot on Geiger Road

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-385-6862 or 484-797-4234 (cell)