Saturday August 17, 2019 - Mt Gretna Outdoor Art Show

6+ moderate to difficult miles

For anyone who wants to check out this very popular art and craft show we will hike there via the Lebanon Valley Rail-Trail and beat the heavy traffic. Instead of meeting at the “Root Beer Barrel” trailhead as we did in prior years, the hike has been shortened by meeting at the Alden Way trailhead. From there we will hike about two 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 9am to 6pm; admission is $12 per person, 11 and younger free. You can hike the 2 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 4 miles to and from the Alden Way trailhead. 

Note: bring a flashlight to walk back to your car if you will be staying in Mt. Gretna past sunset.

Meeting place: 9:00 am, at the Alden Way trailhead

Directions: 222 South, take PA Turnpike (I-76) west to exit #266 Lebanon- Lancaster. Left onto 72 North/Lebanon Road for 2 miles, exit right for Rt. 117 North, then make a left turn onto Rt. 117 North and immediate right turn to Alden Way trailhead

GPS: 1141 Alden Way, Lebanon, PA

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

Saturday August 10, 2019 - Horseshoe Trail - Schuylkill River Trail

6.5 mod miles

This shuttle hike begins on the Horseshoe Trail as it leaves French Creek State Park. We will enter the Birdsboro watershed and hike to Kulptown, then take the connector trail with a great view of Amity Township which leads us to the Schuylkill River Trail and the hike’s end.

Meeting place: 9:45 am, Schuylkill River Trailhead on Rt. 724 in Monocacy, behind the Fork and Ale Restaurant where the Schuylkill Trail crosses Rt. 724

Directions: go east on Rt. 724, just east of Center Road take the first left
GPS: Approx. 1273 East Main Street, Birdsboro

for more information and further directions, contact:  610-323-1703

Saturday August 3, 2019 - Furnace Hills / Rannels - Kettle Run Nature Preserve

5 to 6 moderate miles

This will be a shuttle hike along some nice wooded trails with one big hill to go up and one really big hill to go down on the Horseshoe Trail leading to Pumping Station Road. We could see the Blue Heron Rookery. Bring water and snacks. There are several places in the area for lunch later.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, Furnace Hills Pumping Station Trailhead off of Rt. 322, then we will shuttle some cars to an upper Horseshoe Trail lot
GPS: 80 Pumping Station Road, Lititz, PA

For more information or further directions: 717-949-2056, leave message on answering message

Saturday July 27, 2019 - Appalachian Trail Hike

7-8 strenuous miles

Join us on an “in-and-out” hike to the Pinnacle. We will hike from Reservoir Road to the Appalachian Trail. Get ready for hills and rocks, but the upside is that most of the hike is shaded.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, Hamburg Reservoir Parking Lot

Directions: From Reading take Rt. 61N approx. 17 miles from Route 222N, bear right onto South Fourth St in Hamburg, go approx. 1 mile then turn right onto State Street, travel 2.2 miles then turn left onto Reservoir Road for 1.1 miles to the parking lot

GPS: 402-450 Reservoir Road, Lenhartsville PA

For more information or further directions, contact: Glenn  610-301-4342, email: ggeistsr@aol.com

RSVP

Saturday July 20, 2019 - Hiking Club Picnic

BERKS COMMUNITY HIKING CLUB ANNUAL PICNIC
See your friends and enjoy a day of hiking, fun and food! Advance reservations required. See the flyer emailed to members.

Saturday July 13, 2019 - Ontelaunee Lake Hike

4-5 moderate miles

Walk with the hike leader to check out the area surrounding Lake Ontelaunee, a 1,082 acre reservoir in Berks County and owned by the City of Reading. The lake was created in 1926 by the damming of Maiden Creek to extend and improve the water supply to Reading.

Meeting place: 9:00 am, Redner’s Market, Rt. 61 North in Leesport 
GPS: 5471 Pottsville Pike, Leesport

For more information and further directions, contact: 610-507-5600

Saturday July 6, 2019 - Leaser Lake Hike

Approx. 5 moderate miles

Join our group as we hike around the perimeter of Leaser Lake, just over the northern Berks line in Lehigh County. We will hike through terrain varying from open fields to deep woods and marshy areas. This area is especially suited to spotting many different bird and wildflower species. Lunch at CJ Hummels afterwards.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, parking lot at end of Pleasure Court

Directions: Take Rt. 143 north out of Lenhartsville. Drive about 8 miles, make a left turn onto Pleasure Court, just before the large stone church in Jacksonville (about a mile past Wanamaker’s General Store)
GPS: Pleasure Court, Kempton, PA

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

Saturday June 29, 2019 - Train Ride and Philadelphia Penn's Landing Tour

Approx. 6 mi

Enjoy a train ride from the Norristown Elm St. Station into the “City of Brotherly Love” with an
enjoyable walking tour of Penn’s Landing and Head House Square. Our walk will take us from the
Market East Train Station to Penn’s Landing to check out the various activities that the seaport has
to offer. Plenty of places to see and things to do such as the Independence Seaport Museum, USS Olympia, a submarine, and other activities. Be aware that some admission fees may be required and other things to see are free. Eateries are at some spots along Penn’s Landing and the nearby Head House Square area. Dress in comfortable clothes and very comfortable shoes for walking on pavements. Bring sunscreen since we’ll be by the water. This trip is rain or shine, so bring rain gear if the weather forecast is drops!

Cost: Round trip off-peak non-discounted Saturday fare for SEPTA train ride is $14.00 (price subject to change) if obtained day of trip. Seniors have a 50% discount on the Regional Rail price if Senior ID is presented per the SEPTA website. Contact leader for discount information on advance ticket sales.

Meeting place: 7:00 am, Boscov’s East Parking lot (east end of lot), Bus. Rt. 422 East, Exeter Twp, where we will car-pool to the Norristown Elm St Station to take the train. We will meet around 4:30 pm to take the train back to Norristown unless another time is decided by the group on the day of the trip; last train leaves Market East at 6:30 pm. Any changes in train schedule will be communicated the morning of the trip. Driving directions to the train station, maps of Philadelphia and the schedule of train departures and arrivals will be provided on the day of the trip.

For more information and further directions, contact: 610-823-9023 or 610-909-5018

Saturday June 22, 2019 - Horseshoe Trail Hike

7 easy miles on road with rolling hills

Saddle up those boots and join us on the trail. Starting point will be the parking lot at Sand Beach Rd and Swatara Rd. Much of this section is a road hike, please wear good shoes and bring an orange piece of clothing. We will shuttle vehicles to the end at Manada Bottom Rd and I-81 overpass.

1st Meeting place at 8:00 am: Redner’s, 4870 Penn Ave., Sinking Spring. Leaving at 8:10 sharp.

2nd Meeting place at 9:30 am: Parking lot at Sand Beach Road & Swatara Road. 

Directions: West on 422 to Hershey, turn right on Park Ave, which turns into Sand Beach Rd. Stay on Sand Beach Rd for about 2 miles and it will cross Swatara Rd. Parking is on the left of side of Sand Beach Rd. All needed vehicles will be moved to the finish point before the hike starts.

For more information or further directions, contact:  610-909-5018 or 610-823-9023 Please leave a message.

Saturday June 15, 2019 - French Creek State Park at Hopewell Furnace

6 moderate to strenuous miles

Enjoy a summer hike with Kathy as she leads the hike on the Lenape Trail.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site

Directions: East on 422 to 345 south to Birdsboro. Continue on 345 and turn right on Mark Bird Lane
GPS: 2 Mark Bird Lane, Elverson

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

Saturday June 8, 2019 - Antietam Lake Hike

5.5 moderate/strenuous miles

This hike, beginning at Antietam Lake, uses several trails to climb to Kuechler’s Roost. The return takes us through the old fruit farm, across a lower level of the mountain, past the third stone cellar of the hike to the Nature Center. While this is not a particularly long hike, there will be much hill climbing

Meeting place: 9:30 am, the large Angora Road parking lot, near Hill Road, in sight of Antietam Lake.

Note: There are 2 intersections of Hill Road and Angora Road. Only one is in sight of Antietam Lake

GPS: (not always reliable): 300 Angora Road, Reading 

For more information and further directions:  610-323-1703

Saturday June 1, 2019 - Pottsville Murals Historic Hike

4 easy miles

January 1st Gerry did the Polar Bear Dip hike without the dip. Now, June 1st Gerry will do a Pottsville hike without the beer! We will see the old Court House, County Prison, historical monuments and enjoy the various murals and shops. We will see and hear history along the way. The hike is along streets and sidewalks with some small hills and stops to view the sites.

1st Meeting place: 9:30 am, Redners Market, 5471 Pottsville Pike (Rte 61) Leesport
2nd Meetin place: 10:00 am, Pottsville Co. Courthouse

Directions: North on 61 to Pottsville, turn left into center of town, turn right on 2nd Street and go north to the courthouse, park in rear or in front of prison. GPS: 401 N 2nd Street, Pottsville

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

Saturday May 25, 2019 - Ephrata Rail Trail / Grater Park Ephrata

Approx. 5 easy miles

Follow mark as we check out the Thomas P Grater Community Park and the Ephrata Rail Trail. Within the park is the Eicher Arts Center and Museum and the Ephrata Performing Arts Center, along with the neighboring Ephrata Rail Trail.

1st Meeting place: 9:00 am, Ollie’s parking lot, 2251 Lancaster Avenue, Shillington
2nd Meeting place: 9:30 am, Thomas P Grater Community Park

Directions: South on 222 to 322 West to Ephrata. Before crossing Cocalico Creek, turn left onto Cocalico Street and follow to Cloister Avenue.
GPS: Cloister Avenue between S. Oak and Cocalico Streets, Ephrata 

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

Saturday May 18, 2019 - French Creek State Park

4-5 easy/moderate to miles

Enjoy an erupting carpet of May apples while following the Turkey Trail which circles through the forest to and from Fire Tower Road. Expect some rocks and hills. Boots and poles are recommended. Lunch later of course!
1st Meeting place 9:30 am, Gibraltar parking lot adjacent to Cedar Hill Flowers
GPS: 3326 Main Street, Birdsboro
2 Meeting place: 9:45 am, Fire Tower Road parking lot

Directions: South on 345 from Birdsboro. Turn right on Geigertown Road, then left on Fire Tower Road.

For more information and further directions, contact: 610-301-7271

Saturday May 11, 2019 - Twin Lakes Hike at French Creek State Park

5- 6 moderate/strenuous miles

We’ll hike on several trails, view 2 lakes and use new boardwalks and steps over the marshy areas by Hopewell Lake on this loop hike. Lunch later is an option.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, French Creek State Park by Hopewell Lake – West Boat Launch playground parking area
Directions: Go south on 345 from Birdsboro to the east entrance of the park. Bear right onto Park Road to Hopewell Lake West boat ramp parking lot, then continue beyond the restroom facilities to the playground area
Note: Heavy downpour at 9:30 may cancel this hike

For more information or further directions, contact:  484-797-4234 or 610-698-4293

Saturday May 4, 2019 - Mt Gretna Hike

Approx. 5 easy miles

Leader will trek an easy 5 or so mile hike in the town of Mt. Gretna. Let’s see what is blooming in the old Chautauqua. We will walk around the old and newer parts of Mt. Gretna, including roads and sidewalks, over hills and valleys. There are several places in the area for lunch.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, main parking lot by Gretna Emporium off of Rt. 117 
Directions: West on PA Turnpike to exit 266. South on 72 (Lebanon Road). Right on Cider Press Road (at Mt. Hope Mennonite Church), then right on Pinch Road to 117. Left on 117 and left on Carnegie.
GPS: 40.247940, -76.471342. One Carnegie Ave., Mt. Gretna

For more information and further directions, contact: 717-949-2056