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

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Saturday November 4, 2017 - Warwick County Park / Mt Pleasant Rd.


5-6 moderate miles

This is a circle walk in the county park. We will walk on woodland trails with a short part on back roads in this historic iron-producing area. The trails pass several charcoal pits, and cross French Creek. The wildflower meadows should be in fall bloom. Lunch after the hike is an option.

Meeting place: 10:00 am at the Clock Tower parking lot in Morgantown off Route 10 (behind Burger King, 2850 Main Street). Those who plan to drive directly to the park, please contact the hike leader ahead of time.

For more information or further directions, contact: 484-252-9493 

Thursday, September 28, 2017

Saturday October 28, 2017 - Monacacy Hill Hike


4 to 6 moderate to challenging miles

Enjoy the fall in this lovely preserve. We will climb the hill this time to enjoy the view. We will then loop around on various trails to enjoy the scenery.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, Monocacy Hill parking lot on Geiger Road 
GPS: Monocacy Hill Recreation Area, Birdsboro

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

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Saturday October 21, 2017 - Robesonia Furnace and Watershed Hike


4 to 6 moderate miles 

Follow leader and check out this area that is rich in history. Robesonia Furnace is where two ironmasters, George Ege and Henry Robeson created two very different chapters in Robesonia Furnace’s history. In 1794 Ege built a charcoal furnace, which became the heart of his iron plantation. In 1845 Robeson acquired the plantation and replaced the furnace with a hot blast anthracite furnace capable of making fifty tons of iron a week, much more than the earlier charcoal furnace. Due to limited parking at the trail head, we will shuttle from the middle school. Optional lunch later, possibly at Osgoods.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, Conrad Weiser Middle School, Rt. 422
GPS: 347 Penn Avenue, Robesonia


For more information or further directions, contact: 610-589-5575 or Cell: 610-507-5600 

Thursday, September 14, 2017

Saturday October 14, 2017 - Merrill Creek Reservoir


6 moderate miles

Something different! Located in central Warren County, New Jersey, Merrill Creek Reservoir is a 650 acre artificial lake that is surrounded by 290 acres of protected woodland and fields. Optional lunch later at Quaker Steak.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, Merrill Creek Reservoir Visitor Center Parking Lot 

Directions:

  • Take I-78E to NJ Exit 3. Turn left and go 1.1 miles to 3rd traffic light then make a right onto Uniontown Road. 
  • Go 1.5 miles and turn right onto Rt. 57 (just after tunnel). 
  • Go 3 miles and turn left onto Montana Rd. across from Hunters Tavern. 
  • Go 2 mile and turn left onto Richline Road (at top of hill). 
  • Go .2 miles and turn left on Merrill Creek Rd. Go another .2 mile and turn right towards the Visitor Center parking lot. 
  • Do not go to the boat launch area. 
  • GPS: 34 Merrill Creek Road, Washington, NJ 07882
For more information or further directions, contact: 610-427-1022 

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Saturday October 7, 2017 - French Creek State Park


Approx. 6 moderate miles

Follow the leader as she leads this early autumn hike on the green blazed, Lenni Lenape trail. This trail is rocky and hilly, although some say it is the easiest trail in French Creek State Park. Use of tick spray is recommended for this hike. Rain cancels the hike.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, at the Shed Road parking lot.

Directions: 422 East then south on 345 thru Birdsboro to Shed Road. 


For more information or further directions: 610-603-9461 

Monday, August 28, 2017

Saturday September 30, 2017 - Bloody Springs Commemoration Hike & Lunch


4 to 5 moderate miles

We will hike along country roads and observe the monument commemorating the Bloody Springs Massacre. 

Afterwards we will have lunch at the leader's house. Please bring a covered dish and lawn chairs; meat, drinks, and paper goods will be provided. RSVP by 9/23 to leader (610-301-8876). Hike will be held rain or shine.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, Rte 183 N. turn right on Bloody Sp Rd (about 0.5 mi after I-78) 

GPS: 758 Bloody Spring Road, Bethel 19507

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-301-8876 

Sunday, August 20, 2017

Saturday September 23, 2017 - Appalachian Trail / Side Trails


6 to 7 moderate miles
Come on out for a moderate early fall hike on the Blue Mountains near Shartlesville. The leaves may be starting to color. This is a circle hike with some possible good views of the valley below. There will be some ups and downs and some rocks. Lunch after the hike is an option.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, parking lot on Old Church Road. off Rt. 183 near Burnsville 

Directions: North on Rte 183. Left on Old Church Road (5.5 miles from 222). Parking lot is one-tenth mile from 183 on left.

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-286-6886 or Cell 484-252-9493 


Note: There is a 9/23/17 Deadline for RSVP for 9/30/17 Bloody Springs Hike with covered dish lunch. See contact information for RSVP on that hike description.

Monday, August 14, 2017

Saturday September 16, 2017 - Valley Forge Hike


4 to 6 moderate miles

Join us as we walk on the Schuylkill River Trail starting in Valley Forge. This will be a shuttle hike.

Meeting place: 9:00 am, Boscov’s East, Bsns Rt. 422 East, Exeter (east end of lot) 

GPS: 4500 Perkiomen Avenue, Reading 19606

For more information or further directions, contact:  610-698-0504 

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Saturday September 9, 2017 - French Creek State Park


Approx.6 moderate miles

Enjoy seeing Hopewell Lake, as we hike the Boone Trail (blue blazes) almost all the way around the lake, into the woods near the campground and past some of the organized and Boy Scout campgrounds (bathroom break here). We will then hike up a big hill into more woods and return to the cars.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, west boat launch of Hopewell Lake, near the restrooms 

GPS: 1450 Park Road, Elverson 19520

For more information or further directions, contact:  610-603-9461 

Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Saturday September 2, 2017 - Middle Creek Hike


6 to 7 moderate miles

We will be following the tour road, so the first few miles will be in the sun. The second half will be on shaded, unpaved road.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area Visitors Center 

Directions: from Rt. 272 South in Adamstown, take 897N for 14 miles into the village of Kleinfeltersville, take the first left after the stop sign onto Hopeland Road then drive 2 miles to the Middle Creek Visitors Center

GPS: 100 Museum Road, Newmanstown 17073 / 40.270574, -76.247842 

for more information or further directions: 717-949-2056 

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Saturday August 26, 2017 - Green Lane Reservoir


4 to 5 moderate miles

This time we will explore the other side of Green Lane, which is an older area of the park. Expect fairly easy hiking, with some hills.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, Weis Market in Oley, Rt. 73 and Friedensburg Road 

GPS ADDRESS: 61 Kings Plaza, Oley 19547

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

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Saturday August 19, 2017 - Mt Gretna Outdoor Art Show


8+ moderate to difficult miles 

Something different! For anyone who wants to check out this very popular art and craft show, we can hike there via the historic Lebanon Valley Rail-Trail and beat the heavy traffic. We will be meeting at the “Root Beer Barrel” trailhead off of Rt. 419, near the Cornwall Post Office. From there we will hike 4 flat easy miles to the art show, where you are free to explore the art and craft show in beautiful Mt Gretna. 
Art show hours are 9 am-6 pm; admission is $12 per person, 11 & younger free. 

You can hike the 4 miles back to your car whenever you please. The hike is rated moderate to difficult, given the time of year and the extra miles you will be walking at the art show, in addition to the 8 miles to and from the parking lot. 
NOTE: Bring flashlight to walk back to your car if you will be staying in Mt. Gretna past sunset.

Meeting place: 8:30 am, at Root Beer Barrel trailhead off of Rt. 419 near Cornwall P.O. 

Directions: 222 South, 76 West Turnpike, Exit #266 Lebanon-Lancaster, Left onto 72 North for .44 miles, 2nd Right turn onto Rt. 419N (Main Street) for 1.25 miles, then Right onto 419N (Schaeffer Road), follow Rt. 419 about .07 miles to the trailhead at Rt. 419 and Boyd Street

GPS: Cornwall U.S. Post Office, 7 Boyd Street, Cornwall 17016 

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

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Saturday August 12, 2017 - Neversink Mountain


5+ hilly miles

The extent and area covered in this hike will depend on the weather – could be hot and muggy, but
expect to hike at least 5 miles. Neversink is always interesting and enjoyable. Wear comfortable
shoes, bring water, a hat and plan to experience a great hike! Heavy rain will cancel.

Meeting place: 9:00 am, at the pond at the back of Forest Hills Cemetery 

GPS: 390 W. Neversink Road, Reading 19606

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

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Saturday August 5, 2017 - Leaser Lake Hike


Approx. 5 moderate miles

This will be a hike around the perimeter of Leaser Lake just over the northern Berks Line in Lehigh County. We will walk through terrain varying from open fields to deep woods to marshy areas. This area is especially suited to spotting many different bird and wild flower species. The new bridge over the dam spillway is installed, so no more having to find a way around that obstacle! Lunch at C.J. Hummels afterwards.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, parking area down Pleasure Ct.

Directions: I 78 East to Exit 35, Left turn onto Rt. 143N in Lenhartsville, drive about 8 miles, make a left hand turn onto Pleasure Court, just before the large stone church in Jacksonville (about a mile past Wanamaker’s General Store) 


GPS: Pleasure Court, Kempton 19529

For more information or directions, contact: 610-921-3252 or 610-451-5380 on the morning of the hike 

Thursday, June 29, 2017

Saturday July 29, 2017 - Annual Club Picnic!!!!




See your friends and enjoy a day of hiking, fun and food. Reservations needed. See the attached club member flyer. 

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Saturday July 22. 2017 - Sand Spring and Tom Lowe Trails


5+ challenging miles

Be a hiking hero and conquer this beautiful loop trail in hometown Berks County. Expect ascents, descents, stream crossings and ROCKS. There are lots of twists and turns, but the trails are well-blazed. Sturdy footwear, poles, water, a snack and insect repellant are recommended. It may be possible to dunk your tootsies in a cool stream before lunch.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, parking lot at the end of Forge Dam Road, Shartlesville 

Directions: from exit 8 [Shartlesville] of I-78 drive north on Mountain Road for .3 miles to Forge Dam Road on the left. Take this road 1.5 miles, past the intersection with Northkill Road, to the parking area

GPS: 2 Forge Dam Road, Hamburg 19526


For more information or further directions, contact: 717-376-5289