Saturday January 28, 2023 - Clarence Schock Environmental Center

Approx. 5.5 moderate miles

It will be an in-and-out hike using Trail 5 and the Horse-Shoe Trail, moderate hills, minimum rocks. There are Job Johnnies at both the beginning and midway through the hike. There is no hunting in this park.
NOTE: Hike will be cancelled if snow or temperatures below 20 degrees occur.

Meeting place: 10:00 a.m. at the Environmental Center

Directions: Rte 422 west to 501 south in Myerstown. Rte 419 south in Schaefferstown. Rte 72 south in Quentin and 117 north shortly afterwards (Note: you will be merging on Rte. 322/72 entering on the left and the exit is on the right very soon.) After 2.2 miles turn left on Pinch Road (across from the Pizzeria immediately after the pull-in parking section of Mt Gretna.), then 1 mile to Environmental Center entrance on the left.

GPS: 3283 Pinch Road, Lebanon [40 14 14.72N, -76 27 31.22W]

For more information or further directions, contact: 484-665-0196 or C: 610-603-6876 with questions

Saturday January 21, 2023 - Ephrata Rail-Trail

3-5 easy miles, in-and-out

Trail is usually snow-cleared and open all the way to Millway Road. Parking lot is usually clear too. Bring Yaktrax or ice cleats just in case? Lunch at Gus’s Restaurant, 3687 Rothsville Road, Ephrata. Call if weather looks iffy.

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.

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

Saturday January 14, 2023 - Monocacy Hill Recreation Area

5 moderately difficult miles (with easy alternative)

Join our group as we hike once again through some of the well-marked trails of Monocacy Hill’s 428 acres. We will go down to the creek with the charming waterfall and up to the peak with beautiful views of the valley. We may also go by landmarks like the never-used railroad trestle and the homestead site of Sallie Shirey. Hiking boots and poles recommended as the climb is a bit rocky. For those who don’t wish to climb to the peak, an alternative path that meets up on the other side is a possibility. Lunch at Vincenzo’s afterwards, 1333 Old Swede Rd, Douglassville, 610-689-8000 (https://www.vincenzosristorante.org)

Meeting place: 9:30 a.m. in Geiger Rd parking lot. Parking in lot is limited – you may need to park on the road leading to the lot or around the corner – but always on the side next to the recreation area. Do not park across the street where there are residents’ houses.

Directions: From 422 coming from Reading use the jughandle to turn left onto Limekiln Rd. Turn right onto Monocacy Hill Rd, right again onto Geiger Rd and right into the parking lot.

GPS: 42 Geiger Rd, Douglassville PA 19518 [40.280955, -75.754068] 

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-468-5039

Saturday January 7, 2023 - Blue Marsh

An easy to moderate 4 mile loop 

We will hike the Dog Lake and Switchback Trails.

Meeting place: 10:00 a.m. at Stilling Basin - lower lot near the basin

Directions From Route 183 north, turn left at the CVS onto W. Leesport Road. Turn right onto County Welfare Road. At stop sign, turn left onto Palisades Road, then right into the Stilling Basin and go to lower lot.

For more information or further directions, contact: cell phone 484-557-7854

Saturday December 31, 2022 - The Locks and Bridges of Leesport

 4.5 easy to moderate miles

A new history hike around Leesport and vicinity. We will see locks 36, 37, and 38 , the now not-so-new river bridge over the Schuylkill river, the lock tender's house, and other local sights. The hike is on both trails and roads, with only one significant hill. Significant rain, snow or ice cancels this hike.

Meeting place: 10:00 a.m. at the parking lot behind the Schuylkill Valley Community Library, 1310 Washington Rd. ( West ) Leesport Pa.

Directions: From Reading, take Rte 61 north to Leesport, make a left at Wall St. ( Turkey Hill on southwest corner ). Cross the river and make an immediate left at end of bridge onto S. Schuylkill Ave. At the “T,” turn left onto Main St. and make an immediate right onto Washington St. (soon changes name to Washington Rd.). Look for the library about a tenth of a mile on your right.

GPS: 1310 Washington Rd. (West) Leesport

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

Saturday December 24, 2022 - Hamburg Reservoir / Ha-Ha Trail

6 - 6.5 moderate to strenuous miles

This hike takes the blue blaze trail toward the AT coming from Eckville but before reaching it we divert onto the Ha-Ha trail which runs 1.2 miles before connecting to the AT coming from Port Clinton. We then take the AT briefly before connecting to a lower trail that will return us to the parking lot. Wonder if it is called Ha-Ha because of the faint blazes that mark its path? There will be a steep climb and some trails likely in poor condition. Snowy or icy roads, or heavy rain cancels this hike.

Meeting place: Hamburg Reservoir Parking, 400 Reservoir Rd, Hamburg

Directions: From Rte 61, take 4th St into Hamburg. At State St (Old US 22), turn right. When you reach the Edenburg area, look for St Paul's Lutheran Church on the right. Half a block past the church, turn left onto Reservoir Rd and take it across Mountain Rd to the end. 

GPS: 400 Reservoir Road, Hamburg

For more information  and further directions, contact: 610-850-1855

Saturday December 17, 2022 - Annual BCHC Christmas Party and Hike

 See club flyer for details

Reservations for party due by December 3, 2022

Saturday December 10, 2022 - Hike Around Womelsdorf

 4 miles easy to moderate

We will hike through historic areas and into Conrad Weiser Park. We’ll be walking on streets, sidewalks and grass (snow?). There is only one hill near the beginning.

Meeting place: 10:00 a.m. at parking lot off Rte 419

Directions: Take 422 west to Womelsdorf. Turn left at traffic light at Rte 419, then right into large parking lot between road and McDonald’s.

GPS: Approx. 3400 Conrad Weiser Parkway, Womelsdorf

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

Saturday December 3, 2022 - Monacacy Hill / Creek and Lower Loop Trails

 approximately 4 easy miles

The lot is small, but street parking is allowed. Rain cancels.

Meeting place: 10:00 a.m. at Monocacy Hill parking lot

Directions: From 422 coming from Reading use the jughandle to turn left onto Limekiln Rd. Turn right onto Monocacy Hill Rd, right again onto Geiger Rd and right into the parking lot. 

GPS: 54 Geiger Road, Douglassville, PA 19518

For more information and further directions, contact: 732-539-3257 call or text anytime

Saturday November 26, 2022 - Woods Around Robesonia

 4+ moderate miles

We will carpool a short distance to the hike start. Possible lunch stop afterwards.

Meeting place: 9:30 a.m. at Conrad Weiser Middle School and carpool.

Directions: From Sinking Spring, head west on Rte 422 through Wernersville. Just before you get to Robesonia, turn right onto Conrad Weiser School Road, then left into parking lot. 

GPS: 347 Penn Avenue, Robesonia

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

Saturday November 19, 2022 - Roads of Amityville

 5 miles - easy to moderate

In the beginning, we will hike the paved paths of Amity Township Community Park, then branch into the scenic roads of Amityville and eventually make our way back to the Amity Township Community Park. Wear comfortable hiking shoes. Bring water. NOTE: Inclement weather cancels the hike.

Meeting place: 9:30am at the Amity Township Community Park parking lot.

Directions: From Reading take US-422 east to Amity Twp. (about 15 miles). Turn left onto the PA-662/Old Swede Rd. After 3 miles, make a slight left onto Weavertown Rd. After 3/10 mile you will pass the St Paul’s UCC. Make next right into the parking lot of Amity Community Park. 

GPS: 1891 Weavertown Road, Douglassville / Coordinates: 40.299812, -75.739017

For more information and further directions, contact: 484-467-8976

Thursday November 17, 2022 - Warwick Park - National Take a Hike Day

 5-6 miles

We'll take the Horse Shoe Trail onto the Charcoal Trail and then back to the Horse Shoe Trail along French Creek. These forests provided much of the raw timber used to make charcoal for the region's iron furnaces. We'll go to PA's only surviving Fink Truss, a pedestrian footbridge built in 1870. There are 4 moderate hills. Lunch option is the Inn at St. Peter's Village.

Meeting place: 9:30 a.m. at parking lot at Warwick County Park.

Directions: Take I-176 to Morgantown, exit 2. Turn left onto PA-10 N /PA 23 E for 9.3 mi. Turn right onto County Park Rd., turn left into Warwick County Park. 

GPS: 382 County Park Road, Pottstown

For more information and further directions, contact: 610-750-3115

Saturday November 12, 2022 - Blue Marsh

 5.5 moderate miles

We will hike to boat launch and back, with a few extra trails on the way back.

Meeting place: 9:30 a.m. at Stilling Basin upper parking lot.

Directions: North on Rte 183, turn left at light (CVS) onto Leesport Rd. Turn right onto County Welfare Rd to Palisades. Turn left, then right to the Stilling Basin. 

GPS: Approx. 1280 Palisades Drive, Leesport

For more information or further directions, contact: 484-797-3357

Saturday November 5, 2022 - Wyomissing Trail Hike In and Out

 ???? easy miles

A mostly flat trail with some gentle hills, we will walk through the park along the Wyomissing Creek to the end at Turkey Hill in Shillington. We will return along a few different paths to the museum parking lot. There are many places for lunch in West Reading and the group can decide where they want to eat that day.

Meeting place: 10:00 a.m. at Reading Museum parking lot
Directions: Heading west on Penn Avenue in West Reading, turn left on 5th Avenue. This becomes Museum Road. After crossing little bridge, turn right on Parkside Drive South, then right again into museum parking lot.

GPS: 500 Museum Road, Reading

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-451-0821

Saturday October 29, 2022 - Nolde Forest

 5 moderate miles

This hike will last about 2 hours with fairly constant ascending and descending. Please carry water. Rest facilities at Saw Mill parking may not be available. Pre-8:00 a.m. constant rain, cancels; otherwise we will make a start. For those interested in lunch following the hike we will go to:
Doc and Bubba's, 4312 New Holland Road, Mohnton

Meeting place: 8:30 a.m. at Saw Mill parking lot. We will start to hike at 9:00.

Directions: The lot is the first right hand turn, southbound on Route 625 AFTER passing the intersection of 625 (New Holland Road) and Church Road. 

GPS: 2910 New Holland Road, Reading

For more information and furthers directions, contact: 610-207-2308

Saturday October 22, 2022 - Gring's Mill Recreation Area

 4-5 easy miles

We will hike on the flat, gravel Union Canal Towpath past the Red Bridge to Paper Mill Road and beyond and then return on the same path to Gring’s Mill. Lunch for those interested at Isaac’s Restaurant (94 Commerce Drive/Reading).

Meeting place: 10:00 a.m. at Gring’s Mill Recreation Area grass parking lot at top of hill.
Directions: Route 222 to Broadcasting Road exit. Go east on Broadcasting and turn right on Tulpehocken Rd. Gring’s Mill will be on your left. 

GPS: 2083 Tulpehocken Road, Reading

For more information and further directions, contact: 610-763-7900