See BCHC club flyer for further information on time and place!
Bring a snack to share!
Club member should call leaders at 610-823-9023 or 610-223-6952 for any directions or questions.
BCHC is a hiking club that is located in Berks County, PA. The club was first organized in the Fall of 1921. This is the official club site. Anyone is welcome to attend our hikes. We list weekly hikes that range from short easy strolls to strenuous hikes. The type of hike depends on the leaders that volunteer to fill our quarterly schedules. This site lists some of the recent scheduled weekly Saturday hikes. Click on Web Version at bottom of mobile view to see membership information.
See BCHC club flyer for further information on time and place!
Bring a snack to share!
Club member should call leaders at 610-823-9023 or 610-223-6952 for any directions or questions.
– 5.5 Miles, moderate
Pat will take you on a scenic hike past both reservoirs. Return is via the Cocalico Trail so expect at least one good hill. Heavy snow or rain cancels. Lunch afterwards.
MEET & TIME: 9:30 am – Rustic Park in Birdsboro at 1314 Haycreek Rd in Birdsboro
DIRECTIONS: From 422 East, turn right on Rte 345 to enter Birdsboro. After crossing river, stay on Furnace Street/Hay Creek Road. Drive approx. 1.5 miles to Rustic Park. Cross RR tracks and turn right into parking lot
GPS: 1314 Haycreek Rd, Birdsboro
CONTACT HIKE LEADER AT: 484-797-3357 for questions & further directions
- 4-6 miles, easy
We will start at the Kernsville Dam parking area and take the Therman Madeira Trail to the Hamburg playground and back. If agreeable we can then do an In-Out hike on the John Bartram trail. Weather conditions and snow on the ground will determine the length of this hike. Wear warm clothes and plan to be flexible. Lunch location will be determined on the day of the hike. Snow and/or rain will cancel the hike.
MEET & TIME: 10:00 am - Kernsville Dam Parking lot at 25 Kernsville Dam Road, Hamburg PA 19526
DIRECTIONS: From Route 61 N, turn right at Jetson Drive, right at Industrial Drive, left at Kernsville Dam Road. You will see the parking area on your right.
GPS: 40.56237, -75.99474
CONTACT HIKE LEADER AT: 717-376-5289 for questions & further directions
See BCHC club flyer for further information on time and place!
Bring a snack to share!
Club member should call leaders at 610-823-9023 or 610-223-6952 for any directions or questions.
Approx. 5 miles
Hike the Tom Lowe trail. This will take you to the ridge of the Blue Mountains so there is a hill to climb. MEET & TIME: 9:30 am – State Game Lands 110, Shartlesville Parking Area
DIRECTIONS: From Old Route 22 in Shartlesville, take Forge Dam Rd. toward the I78 interchange, continue past I78 on Forge Dam Rd and stay left on Forge Dam Rd at the 'Y' where Mountain Rd goes to the right. Continue for 1.5 Miles to the parking area. Wear Orange
GPS: State Game Lands 110 Shartlesville Parking Area [40.537925, -76.12385]
CONTACT HIKE LEADER AT: 610-944-5775 (W) or 484-880-8140 (C) for questions & further directions
Additional Note from leader: Wet areas, wear waterproof/resistant boots & bring poles, bring ice walkers if you have them in case needed.
5 miles, easy
Join in our traditional hike along the Maiden Creek and country roads in the hills near Lenhartsville. This is an easy road hike with some nice views of the Maiden Creek and the hill country south of town. We also pass the remains of the 19th century Maiden Creek Iron Furnace. Lunch afterwards up to the hikers.
MEET and TIME: 10:00 am - at the rear of the side parking lot of C J Hummels, Rt. 143 in downtown Lenhartsville
DIRECTIONS: Address: 18 Willow St., Lenhartsville 19534
GPS: 18 Willow St., Lenhartsvile, PA 19534 – C. J. Hummels Restaurant
CONTACT HIKE LEADER AT: 619-921-3252 or 610-451-5380 on the day of the hike for questions & further directions
Approx. 4 miles
We will take the path from the Antietam Lake parking area for a relaxing New Year’s walk to bring in the new year. Weather permitting, we will walk over to Angora Fruit Farm and walk on trails in that area. Wear orange. Extreme ice/snow cancels but we will still meet for lunch at West Lawn Church if it’s drivable weather for a good social time! Lunch afterwards to meet at West Lawn Church for their delicious New Year’s dinner of pork & sauerkraut.
Meeting time & place: 9:30am at the Antietam Lake parking area (230 Angora Rd. is listed address)
DIRECTIONS: From Route 422 East going into Mount Penn, take a right onto Carsonia Avenue, make a left to go onto Antietam Road in Stony Creek at the end of Carsonia, shortly after make a left onto Angora Road, when the road curves sharply, there will be a large parking lot on the left and turn into it.
GPS: 40.35645, -75.87422 (230 Angora Rd. is approximate)
For morew information and further directions, contact: 610-823-9023
NOTE: HIKE CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER
4-mile town hike, easy
Join our leader for a free tour of the Yuengling Brewery followed by a hike in Pottsville. We will pass by the famous Yuengling Mansion. The brewery also has a nice gift shop for those doing post-Christmas shopping. We will also go to the tasting room to sample some of the beers! (may be a small cost) This hike is always a relaxing break during the holiday season. Dress appropriately for the weather – layered. We will have lunch afterwards traveling back to Berks, possibly at the Manheim Diner in Schuylkill Haven.
1st Meeting place & time: 10:00 am - Redner’s Warehouse Market Leesport, Rt. 61N. Leesport (Recommended Meet up)
Leesport Redner’s GPS: 40.44374, -75.95128
2nd Meeting placde & time: 10:45 am - Pottsville’s Yuengling Brewery - 5TH & Mahantongo Sts., Pottsville.
Yuengling GPS: 40.68344, -76.19791
DIRECTIONS: Follow the DIRECTIONS FROM REDNER’s TO YUENGLING’S:
From Redner’s Warehouse Market Leesport, Follow 61 North for 26.6 miles
In Pottsville from 61 North: Take a Left on E. Union St., then take a Right on S. Centre St., make a Left on Mahantongo St., make a Right 5th St., go past brewery and make a Right into the brewery tour parking lot.
For more information or further directions, contact: 610-223-6952
– 6.5 miles moderate
This shuttle hike begins on the Horseshoe Trail as it leaves French Creek State Park. We have a long hill climb as we enter the Birdsboro Watershed, then hike to Kulptown. A short road hike joins us with the Big Woods Trail with a great view of Amity Township. We finish on the Schuylkill River Trail. More than light rain cancels this hike.
Meeting place & time: 9:45am - Meet at the Union Meadows East Schuylkill River Trailhead on route 724 in Monocacy
DIRECTIONS: Go to the Schuylkill River trailhead on Route 724 in Monocacy behind Fork and Ale where the Schuylkill River Trail crosses Route 724. Eastbound on Route 724, just east of Center Rd, take the first left turn, at Campbell Ford Road. This is also known as Union Meadows. We will shuttle to the start from here.
GPS: Union Meadows East Trailhead [40.26008, -75.78195]
For more information & further directions, contact: 610-850-1855
Knitting mills Parking lot, intersection at Penn Avenue and Park Road intersection
- 3–4-mile easy walk with cookies & refreshments!
We had such a good time last two years that I wanted to follow the tradition. The Christmas festivities will continue as we stroll through Wyomissing to check out the beautiful decorations. Rain or snow hike will be cancelled.
Meeting place & Time: 5:00pm - 900 block Penn Avenue, Wyomissing (entrance is off Park Road)
DIRECTIONS: Head west on Penn Avenue through West Reading, turn right at Wawa onto the Park Road, go for about half a block, then turn left on to the Court Lane and left again into the parking lot.
GPS: 40.33615, -75.95593 (Parking lot ACROSS from WAWA)
For more information & further directions, contact: 610-914-1357
3-4 easy miles length dependent on leader
A short walk to check out a new bridge over Hay Creek and walk to the scenic reservoir.
Note: After hike, those members attending Christmas Party should move their cars to the borough parking lot on East Main St. & N. Mill St. per flyer directions.
Meeting place & time: 10:00am – Rustic Parking Lot at 1314 Haycreek Rd., Birdsboro 19508
DIRECTIONS: Directions to the hike from 422 East: Turn right onto 345 toward Birdsboro. At the second light, go straight onto Furnace Street (Furnace Street becomes Haycreek Road). Go approximately .9 mile to Rustic Park past Hopewell St. on left and turn right down a hill to parking lot.
GPS: 40.25385, -75.81396 (Approximate) For using GPS with address 1314 Haycreek Rd., make sure to enter “Haycreek” as one word to get directions for correct road in Birdsboro.
For more information & further directions, contact: 484-948-5084
– 7 easy/mod miles
Seven miles out and back hike starting at the Fish Hatchery. Easy walk, modest elevation changes, interesting sights along the trail-- hunter’s cabin, Museum of Indian Culture, Bogert’s Bridge (oldest covered bridge in Lehigh County), etc.
Meeting place & timer: 9:30 am - 2901 Fish Hatchery Road, Allentown PA 18103
DIRECTIONS: Route 78 to PA 29 (Cedar Crest Blvd). Stay on South on Cedar Crest for a little over a half mile. Turn left on Fish Hatchery Road. The parking lot is on the left.
GPS: 40.56479, -75.51376
for more information & further direcrtions, contact: 484-284-0946
Christmas Party Reservations are Due – Contact club if you haven’t sent in your reservation yet & you want to attend!!! Number of attendees are due to caterer shortly after this date.
Meet at Kernsville Dam Parking Lot – 5 miles, easy to moderate
This is a hike via Hamburg River and Town trail. We'll hike through the Kernsville Dam reclamation meadow to the Schuylkill River trail. From this lovely stretch of trail, we'll cross to Hamburg Community Park, then up Franklin Street to Kaercher Creek Park, where we'll make a short loop. We'll finish by walking through downtown Hamburg to the trailhead and back along the river to the starting point. Lunch option afterward at Rico Casa, 1343 Hex Hwy, Hamburg
Meeting pace & time: 9:30 am - John Bartram Trail
DIRECTIONS: Heading North on route 61, turn right at traffic light for Cabela Drive onto Jetson Drive, and Right again on Industrial Drive. After crossing the Railway tracks, turn left on Kernsville Dam Rd. to Trailhead
GPS: 40.5625527, -75.9946005
For more information & futher directions, contact: 412-445-7359
4 miles easy
We will meet at the historic Warwick Iron Furnace for a 4 mile Fall circular road hike. Add steps by going through part of the Thomas Bentley Reserve if the group votes "yes". I hope the Lavender Farm Shop is open for a visit on our way back - the November schedule is not on their website at this time.
PLEASE CARPOOL AS PARKING IS VERY LIMITED. Minimum 4 people per vehicle.
1st Meeting place & time: 9:30 am - Boscov's East parking lot (encouraged to meet here in order to carpool)
2nd Meeting place & time: 10:00 am - 775 Warwick Furnace Rd., Glenmoore, PA. 19343
DIRECTIONS: Use listed address in Glenmoore (775 Warwick Furnace Rd.) for directions to get to site from Route 23.
GPS: 40.15048, -75.74198 (approximate for 775 Warwick Furnace Rd.)
For more information and further directions, contact: 610-451-0821
4–5-mile moderate hike
This is a hike I used to do in my teens. This will be a nice walk for a fall day crunching through leaves on the fire trail. We will base our pace according to attendees. We will travel from above Pendora Park by the old East Reading Athletic Association, through Mineral Spring Park to Egelman’s Park and hopefully travel up to the Pagoda for a breathtaking city view. The length of the hike can be altered dependent on the group and timing of completion for Fall Meeting. Some of walk towards the Pagoda will be on the side of the road. Lunch location will be at Exeter Diner/ Fall Membership meeting will also take place. Bring water & snacks and wear boots. Bring Orange to wear just in case. Icy weather cancels.
Meeting place & Time: 9:30 am - Parking area by old East Reading Athletic Club (At the end of 19th street before entering Glenn Road) UPDATE: Park on 19th Street at available parking along road near Olivet's Club 330 S. 19th St. - we will walk to Mineral Spring Park & up to Egelman's Park.
Directions: Go towards Reading from Mount Penn on Perkiomen Ave past Aulenbach’s Cemetery, make a right onto South19th St. at the light. – keep following 19th Street and park by Pendora Park near the Olivet's Club - we will walk through to Mineral Spring Park from there.
Coming from Reading on Perkiomen Ave, make a left onto 19th St. at the light. – keep following 19th Street and park by Pendora Park near the Olivet's Club - we will walk through to Mineral Spring Park from there.
GPS: 40.33039, -75.89969 (Approximate)
For more information & further directions, contact: 610-823-9023
NOTE: Saturday November 8, 2025 – Club General Membership Meeting for MEMBERS at Exeter Diner – 1:30pm (after Pendora Park/ Egelman's/ Pagoda Hike) – We will discuss change in annual dues. Meeting will take place even if hike is cancelled due to rain. Obviously, a snowstorm/ blizzard would cancel this meeting & cause it to be rescheduled!