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

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Saturday September 19, 2015 - Bartram Trail


6 miles

Walk from the parking lot up to the pole with the #3 on it. Turn around, walk back to car. Drive to the Cracker Barrel Restaurant. Eat either the Mac n’ Cheese or the meatloaf; not chicken livers!

Meeting place: 9:30 am, Bartram Trail parking lot, end of Kernsville Dam Road off of Industrial Drive in Hamburg

For more information or further directions, contact: SWEEP (Leader)Jerry 610-777-0667 

Sunday, August 16, 2015

Saturday September 12, 2015 - Union Canal Towpath


5 - 6 miles

Easy walking along the Tulpehocken Creek to Stonecliffe Recreation area. We will access the trail at the Stilling Basin parking lot, which is the newly extended Union Canal Trail at Blue Marsh. Dress appropriately for the weather.


Meeting place: 9:30 am, Stonecliffe Recreation Area for shuttle to Stilling Basin, which has limited parking
GPS ADDRESS: 170 Columbia Avenue, Reading, PA.


For more information and further directions, contact: Take Rt. 183 North (Schuylkill Ave.) from Reading, after crossing the Schuylkill River in Glenside, turn left onto Blair Avenue. Follow to end and then turn right, continuing onto Stonecliffe Recreation Area

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

Saturday, August 8, 2015

Saturday September 5, 2015 - Middle Creek Wildlife Center


Approx. 5 miles

Avoid the Labor Day Weekend crowds by hiking some of the sanctuary trails in the company of friends. Expect some hills and rocks, along with overlooks of the lake.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, Middle Creek Visitor Center parking lot 

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-777-3569 

Friday, July 31, 2015

Saturday August 29, 2015 - Springton Manor


4 – 5 miles

Springton Manor is an historic farm and national historic district located in Wallace Township, Chester County. This charming place has varying terrain, streams, fields and a farm to tour after the hike.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, Morgantown Clock Tower parking lot, near the ramp off of Rte. 176, Exit to Rte. 23

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

Sunday, July 26, 2015

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, July 25, 2015

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 

Sunday, July 19, 2015

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 

Sunday, July 12, 2015

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 

Sunday, July 5, 2015

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 

Sunday, June 28, 2015

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 

Sunday, June 21, 2015

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 

Sunday, June 14, 2015

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) 

Sunday, June 7, 2015

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 

Thursday, June 4, 2015

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 

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

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