Saturday December 9, 2023 - Wyomissing Night-Lights!!!

3-4 easy miles
Something different! The Christmas festivities will continue as we stroll through Wyomissing to check out the beautiful decorations. Rain or snow cancels.

Meeting place: 5:00 pm at the Knitting Mills Parking Lot, Penn Avenue & Park Road

Directions: Heading west on Penn Avenue through West Reading, turn right at Wawa onto Park Road, go 1⁄2 block, then left on Court Lane and left again into parking lot. 

GPS: 900 block Penn Avenue, Wyomissing (entrance off Park Road) 

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

Saturday December 9, 2023 - Annual Christmas Party - See CLUB FLYER for details

 See CLUB FLYER for Christmas Party Details

12:30 pm Hike followed by Christmas Dinner 2:00pm - 4:00pm

See Wyomissing Christmas Night-Lights for after-party activity!!!

Saturday December 2, 2023 - Gring's Mill Recreation Area

6 easy miles

We will hike on the flat, gravel Union Canal Towpath beside the Tulpehocken Creek.

Meeting place: 9:30 am at Gring’s Mill Recreation Area parking lot.

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: 610-763-2808

Saturday November 25, 2023 - Blue Marsh Skinners Loop trail

Approx. 6-7 moderate miles

From the parking lot we will walk about 1/2 mile to Skinners Loop. We will see the remains of a few houses that were there. Mostly level with a few small hills. Bring a chair and your lunch for a picnic after the hike (there are some tables available).

Meeting place: 9:30 a.m. at Old Church Road parking lot off 183
DIRECTIONS: From south Reading take 422W to 222N to Rte 183N. Travel approx. 5 miles to Old Church Rd and turn left. Parking lot on your left. 

GPS: Blue Marsh Old Church Rd parking lot

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

Saturday November 18, 2023 - Hibernia County Park

Approx. 6-7 miles

We will travel trails at historic Hibernia Park and enjoy the fall weather. The park consists of over 900 acres of trails, woodlands, and meadows. We will most likely walk around the lake and along the banks of the beautiful Brandywine Creek. There is also Hibernia Mansion, the 19th century ironmaster’s home, to visit while we are there. Play it safe—wear orange.

1st Meeting place: 9:15am at Livingood Park

GPS: 14 Parkside Drive, Elverson 40.15431 -75.83611 

2nd Meeting place: 10:00am at Hibernia County Park

GPS: 1 Park Road, Coatesville 40.02675 -75.84941 

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-223-6952

Friday November 17 - NATIONAL TAKE-A-HIKE DAY - Antietam Lake / Angora Fruit Farm Hike

6-7 miles on moderately hilly trails

We will be walking some less traveled trails on Mount Penn starting at the previous Angora Fruit Farm that is now a park. We will visit the Pagoda and Tower. Bring water and snacks, and wear orange.

Meeting place: 9:30 a.m. at park office at the Angora Fruit Farm at 502 Angora Rd.
GPS: 502 Angora Rd., Reading 40.35902 -75.88246

Directions: Please Note: Road detours from construction/road closures in Stony Creek.

UPDATES: Roads have been open, but keep below directions in case roads are closed again during construction.

If roads are open, from Perkiomen Ave. turn onto Carsonia Ave., follow Carsonia Avenue into Stony Creek, turn left onto Antietam Road. Make first left onto Angora Road, follow around Antietam Lake and stay on Angora Rd. past the lake. Angora Fruit Farm Park is at 502 Angora Rd. Look for a small sign on the left and turn left toward the park office / farm house.

If roads are closed again:

Using Perkiomen Avenue, from Exeter toward Reading:At Perkiomen Ave. traffic light at McDonald’s in Mt Penn, turn right onto Rte 562 (St Lawrence Ave). At the second traffic light turn left onto Bingaman St. This becomes Butter Lane, proceed about a mile and turn left onto Exeter Road. At stop sign, go straight onto Antietam Road. Make the first left onto Angora Rd at the Antietam Dam. Follow around Antietam Lake and stay on Angora Rd. past the lake. Angora Fruit Farm Park is at 502 Angora Rd. Look for a small sign on the left and turn left toward the park office / farm house.

Using Perkiomen Avenue, from Reading to Mount Penn (due to road closures):
At top of hill on Perkiomen Ave. turn left onto Carsonia Ave. At second light, make left onto Friedensburg Rd. Follow Friedensburg Rd. and make left onto Spook Lane. At top of Spook Lane, turn left and pass Egelman’s Park. Immediately at end of Egelman’s park, turn right onto Angora Rd. Follow Angora Rd for 1.9 miles until you reach 502 Angora Rd. on right side. Turn right and follow road to park office / farm house.

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-223-6952

Saturday November 11 - Hamburg Reservoir / Ha Ha Trail!

6 to 6.5 miles – Moderate to strenuous

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: 10:00 at 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 or further directions, contact: 610-850-1855

Saturday November 4 - Boone Trail at French Creek State Park

6 moderate miles

The trail is in the woods and is around the perimeter of both Hopewell and Scotts Run. Some hills and rocks.

Meeting place: 9:30 at French Creek Park Swimming Pool (near Hopewell Lake)

Directions: From Rt 345 enter the Park at Park Road; take the first left after the Hopewell Lake parking entrance (Park Ranger office -843 Park Road- will be on the corner) follow road about one mile to the parking lot.

GPS: 40.1991392809603, -75.7836946593701 

For more information and further directions, contact: 610-587-2180

Saturday October 28, 2023 - Blue Marsh Lake - Fox Trot Trail

About 4 moderate miles

Bring lunch with you and enjoy the lake after the hike. Heavy rain cancels, trail will be muddy.

Meeitn place: 10:00 am

Directions: Pass Stilling Basin, Blue Marsh Welcome Center, and boat ramp. Make a left turn to the beach area go all the way down close to the water and parking area. 

GPS: 1268 Palisades Drive, Bern Township 19533

LEADER: Nick Tzafaras – 484-507-6926

Saturday October 21, 2023 - Antietam Lake Hike

8 moderate/strenuous miles

The hike will begin at Antietam Lake (parking area), starting promptly at 9:00 a.m. We will go to the Wm. Penn Tower via several trails including Wood Cutters, Towers, Rip-it, Red Dot and then hike further to the Pagoda. Some road hiking may take place. We will return via the Ferndale/Gravity trails and then to the Green trail down back to the parking area. I like to go an average of 3 mph [get that exercise in  ]. So expect this to last ~ 3 hours (excluding a short break at the Pagoda). Rain cancels. Orange Blaze vest and/or hat is required due to archery activity up there. 

NOTE: Carsonia bridge is under construction so follow detours taking Exeter Road to Antietam Road and then to Angora.

Meeting place: 8:45 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 Rd but only one is in sight of the lake.

GPS: 230 Angora Road, Reading 

For more information or further directions, contact: 215-205-3923

Saturday October 14, 2023 - Ephrata Rail Trail Hike

5 miles - no-hills

We will hike through scenic farmland to Warwick Township and back. Steady rain cancels. Optional lunch afterwards. There is a good map of the trail online at “Ephrata Rail Trail.”

1st Meeting place: 9:30a.m. at Ollie's parking lot in Shillington and drive approx. 20 miles to the trailhead. 2nd Meeting place: Meadow Valley Road Trailhead

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

Saturday October 7, 2023 - Nolde Forest

Approximately 4 miles ....good pace (Rain Cancels)

To start we will hike up the forest center to top from Sawmill Parking, continuing back down and up a couple times ... about 90 min. Hiking shoes/boots are best suited for Nolde. Sawmill restroom is open.

Meeting place: Sawmill parking lot @9:30

Directions: About 1 mile south from Philadelphia Avenue (RT 724) and New Holland Road (RT 625) traffic light, passing Church Road to Sawmill Parking entrance on the right. 

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

UPDATE! NEW DATE - Saturday September 30, 2023 - Lower Switchback Rail Trail / Jim Thorpe

NOTE: UPDATE - Hike Leaders have changed dates of listed hikes

9 moderate miles

We will once again visit the Switchback in JT, where history and nature come together on a trail that dates back to the early 1800s when trains hauled coal from the mines to the Lehigh Canal. Starting at Mauch Chunk Lake Park, we will take the lower trail into town, enjoy lunch, then return on the same trail. There will be a steep descent and ascent into town. Bring water and snacks, along with hiking boots for the rocky and muddy sections. Rain cancels.

1st Meeting place: 8:30 a.m. at Redner's Market, 5471 Pottsville Pike, Leesport (Rt. 61 North)
2nd Meeting placer: 10:00 a.m. at Mauch Chunk Lake Park

Directions: 61 north for approx. 13 miles, right onto 895 for 6.7 miles, left onto E. Railroad Ave in New Ringgold for another 6.7 miles, left onto W. Penn Pike for 2.2 miles, right onto Owl Creek Road (careful, hard to see this turn) for 8.1 miles to Mauch Chunk Lake Park Office 

GPS: 625 Lentz Trail, Jim Thorpe [40.843472, -75.805361]

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

UPDATE - NEW DATE - Saturday September 23, 2023 - Ephrata Rail Trail Hike

NOTE: UPDATE - Hike Leaders have changed dates of listed hikes

5 no-hills miles

We will hike through scenic farmland to Warwick Township and back. Steady rain cancels. Optional lunch afterwards. There is a good map of the trail online at “Ephrata Rail Trail.”

1st Meeting place: 9:30 a.m. at Ollie's parking lot in Shillington and drive approx. 20 miles to the trailhead.

2nd Meeting place: Meadow Valley Road Trailhead

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

Saturday September 16, 2023 - Trexler Nature Preserve (Lehigh County)

9 Strenuous Miles

We will hike the Border Loop. This trail has many elevation changes, some steep. Beautiful views. Should take just under 4 1/2 hours on the trail. Lunch options afterwards.

Meeting place: 9:30 a.m. on Orchard Road parking lot

Directions: Take I-78E to 22E to 309N toward Schnecksville. Go about 5 miles and turn left onto Old Packhouse Road. Go about 1 mile and turn right onto Orchard Rd. Parking lot on left.

GPS: 4935 Orchard Road, Schnecksville

For more information or further directions, contact: 484-284-0946

Saturday September 9, 2023 - Gring's Mill Recreation Area

4-5 easy miles

We will hike on the flat, gravel Union Canal Towpath beside the Tulpehocken Creek. Bring a packed lunch for after the hike.

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