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

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Bernhardt Dam Walk - Saturday February 23, 2008

5 to 6 miles

Some road, some trail and some "rail to trail" walking gives us an interesting look at parts of Muhlenberg Township and Lauredale Borough.

Meeting place: 9:00 am at Laureldale Recreation park, the 2100 block of Elizabeth Ave., above the nursing home.

For further information or directions, contact: 610-929-9694

Warwick County Park (East Side) - Saturday February 16, 2008



5 miles

For this hike, Martha plans to go from Warwick Park to Northside Road. This will be a shuttle hike with views, woods, and a small amount of road walking. Boots, snacks, and water recommended.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, at Warwick Park

For further information or directions, contact: 484-948-0625

Nolde Forest - Saturday February 9, 2008


5 miles

This will be a five mile hike with a long big hill.

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

For further information or directions, contact: 610-775-7453

French Creek - Saturday February 2, 2008

5 miles

Join Lynn for a five mile loop hike in French Creek.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, Route 345 and Shed Road

For further information or directions, contact: 610-582-5220

Shoesmakersville - January 26, 2008

5 miles

Check out the "Shoey" area with Kathy on this road hike. Kathy says it will be only 5 miles - Guess we'll have to do this hike to see!

Meeting place: 10:00 am, at left side of Kuzan's Park

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

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Sadsbury Woods Preserve - Saturday January 19, 2008
















4 to 5 miles

Loop hike at Natural Lands Trust's Sadsbury Woods Preserve. This small 500 acres are located in Mid-Chester County near the junction of routes PA 10 & US 30, 15 miles south of the meeting place. Hunting is only allowed by special permit, but be sure to wear your orange jackets.

Meeting Place: 9:30 am, Clock Tower Shopping Center (Routes 10 & 23 on west end of Morgantown) We will carpool at this spot because of limited spaces at the preserve.

For further information and directions, contact: 610-913-0284

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Lenhartsville Loop - Saturday January 12, 2008

5 miles

Our "traditional" early January 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 hill country southeast of the town. Eat at Hummel's afterwards.

Meeting place: 1:00 pm, in the rear of the side parking lot at CJ Hummel's Restaurant on route 143 in downtown Lenhartsville.

For information, contact: 610-921-3252

Centre Township - Saturday January 5, 2008

5 to 6 miles

Hike the back roads of Centre Township. Be prepared for hills, some traffic, and questionable weather. Some nice views. Most have never explored this area, so be adventurous!

Meeting place and directions: 10:00 am at the gravel parking lot on Main St. in Centerport, across from the Grange and next to the pizza shop. Go to route 61 North, turn left onto Mohrsville Road, drive 0.7 miles and turn left onto Main St., drive 2.3 miles into Centerport.

For information contact: 610-488-9269

New Year's Hike / Polar Bear Dip / Pork & Sauerkraut Dinner - Tuesday January 1, 2008




























Here's the pictures from the dip!
  1. Club member, who is now officially a "bear cub", dries off after freezing cold dip! As promised, I posted my own picture! My tootsies were frozen!
  2. New Year's Day Revelers Run to Dive into 2008!
5 to 6 miles

We will take macadam country roads between Stouchsburg and Millardsville, going along the Tully 4.3 miles up to view the annual Polar Bear Dip at the Myerstown Quarry at noon. Afterwards, we'll hike back 1.4 miles to our cars, with an optional church stop for pork & sauerkraut, buffet style in Robesonia. Cost: $8.00. Dress in layers, bring your camera, and also a bathing suit and towel if you want to become a bear cub! Outdoor restrooms at the church. Donation requested at the quarry to benefit a Lebanon County charity.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, Christ Lutheran Church, route 422 at the west end of Stouchsburg

For information or directions, contact: 610-678-5245

Friday, November 23, 2007

Thun Trail - Saturday Dec 29, 2007

5 to 6 miles, easy

Meet Janet for this end of year hike to RACC or Goggle Works and back. Length of hike will be determined by weather.

Meeting Place: 10:00 am, Thun Trail parking lot on Route 724, near Route 176 and Hafer Petroleum.

For further information or directions, contact: 610-779-0142

Christmas Surprise Hike - Saturday Dec 22, 2007

Take a Winter Wonderland walk through Wyomissing Park and environs. Distance and exact route to be determined by the group.

Meeting Place: 10:00 am at the Reading Museum parking lot, Museum Road in West Reading

Information will be available at the hike and leader will be determined at hike.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Oley Christmas Caroling - Sunday Dec 16, 2007

Dress warm and bring your Christmas spirit to this traditional celebration of song and light!

Meeting Place: 5:30 pm, King's Grocery parking lot, on Route 73 in Oley

for further information or directions, contact: 620-926-5251

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Bethlehem, PA Christkindlmarket / Luminaria Night - Saturday Dec 15, 2007

Visit Bethlehem's Christkindlmarket, a holiday market of handmade crafts. This will be followed by dinner and a walking tour of Bethlehem's historic district on "Luminaria Night", when thousands of families decorate their walkways and properties with luminaria.

Meeting Place: 12:00 pm Business Route 222, 5th Street Highway in Temple, left of Walmart behind McDonald's

For further information or directions, contact: 610-488-9269

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Christmas House Tour - Sunday Dec 9, 2007

Annual tour of decorated homes in Historic Centre Park, Reading. You could start on your own if you wish. (Tour takes place from 1:00 to 6:00 pm.) The cost has not been determined at the posting of this event but last year's cost was $12.00.

Meeting Place: 2:00 pm at the ticket sales tent in Centre Park in the 700 block of Centre Ave.

For information or directions, contact: 610-374-2394

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Annual Christmas Party and Hike - Reservations Required- Saturday December 8, 2007

Have fun at the Pioneer Grange in Topton at the annual Christmas party! Hike will take place in Topton at 1:30pm. Fun for all...historical presentation by Ivan Bub at 3:30 pm before dinner and entertainment following dinner with singing and fun! Look forward to seeing Santa too!
Full details in flyer sent out in club mailing. Reservations by November 28th required with dinner payment of $13.00 for members and $15.00 for non-members.

Contact for information: 610-779-2599

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Return to Longwood Gardens - Christmas Visit- Saturday December 1, 2007

See beautiful Longwood Gardens in all its Christmas greenery and enjoy the music from the famous organ! Hikers may traverse the outdoor and indoor grounds as well as the many interesting walkways. Enjoy lunch in the restaurant, cafeteria or pack your own. We will depart for home between 6 or 7 pm, dependent on group decision.

Note: Please notify Karen S. by Nov . 29 if you plan to attend. Details on ticket costs are available from Karen. At least 15 people need to go in order to get the group rate.

Meeting Place: 7:30 am, Boscov's East (east end of parking lot) on Business Route 422 East in Exeter Township.

For directions, to register to attend, or for more information, contact: Karen at 610-779-2599