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

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Sunday July 5, 2009 - Best Ride in Berks

Celebrate your independence by doing the Best Ride in Berks! Join Ron on a 12.5 mile bike ride on quiet county roads. One big hill near the beginning, two small hills later, the rest is level. We'll meet at the Virginville Grange along route 143 next to the hotel. Park in the lot behind the hall. Bring your bicycle, helmet, water bottle, and money for the Kutztown Folk Festival later.

Meeting place: 9:00 am at the Virginville Grange as listed above

For directions or further information, contact: 484-269-0852

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Saturday July 4, 2009 - Adamstown & Stoudtburg Village Hike

Approximately 5 miles, mostly roads, few trails, flat, level hiking/ walking

Come and enjoy a hike through historical Adamstown and check out the old-fashioned European style village of Stoudtburg: a self-contained hamlet with shops on the ground floor and living quarters above.

Meeting place: 9:00 am, the parking lot at Routes 272 and 568

For directions or further information, contact: 717-484-4069

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Shoey Shuttle Hike - Saturday June 27, 2009

5 miles

This will be a road hike through the countryside of Perry Township. Some ups and downs and one BIG HILL down with a great view. We will end at Zion UCC Church and see the leader's tombstone!

Meeting Place: 10:00 am at Kuzan's Hardware Store on Route 61 North, North of Shoemakersville

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

Hike on the "Bareside" - Hamburg Reservoir to Port Clinton - Saturday June 20, 2009

Moderate to Strenuous - 6+ Miles

On the summer solstice there is an AT tradition that naked hikers can appear on the trail. Will we see any? We did 2 years ago! Come out for the adventure and a possible free show. Starting with uphill to the ridge line, following the forested path to another ascent and onto "outstanding views"! We will then descend down to Port Clinton. Bring plenty of water, snacks, and of course...wear clothes! Food afterwards- suggestions taken.

Meeting place: 9:15 am at the Port Clinton Playground off of Route 61 North. We will shuttle to Hamburg Reservoir.

For further information or directions, contact: 610-775-2677

Beltzville Dam Hike and Paddle - Saturday June 13, 2009

5 miles

John tried this hike last September 27, but a hurricane washed out that day's plans! This is a relatively flat hike on the densely wooded north side of the Beltzville Dam near Lehighton. After the hike we can paddle or relax on the south side of the lake. Bring "viddles" (lunch) and your canoe or kayak if desired. Bad weather AGAIN is not good!

First Meeting Place: 9:30 am at Redner's Market on Route 61 in Leesport

Second Meeting Place: 10:30 am at the Beltzville Dam Visitor's Center on Pohopco Drive

For further information or directions, contact: 610-678-5921

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Horseshoe Trail Maintenance - Saturday May 2, 2008

WE NEED ALL THE HELP WE CAN GET! Bring any tools that you have available!
There will be hills, so wear hiking boots and bring plenty of water and snacks. We hope to go out to eat afterwards. Remember, our assistance in trail maintenance helps all hikers to continue enjoyment of the trail!

Meeting Place: 9:30 am at Route 625 on New Holland Road 1 mile south of the traffic light in Knauers.

For further directions or information on helping out, contact our trail maintenance leaders at 610-373-6730 or 610-589-5575.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Blue Falls- Ontelaunee Road & Trail Hike - Saturday April 25, 2009

Approximately 6 miles

Check out the Ontelaunee area with Norm.

Meeting Place: 9:30 am at the Schuylkill Valley High School parking lot

For further directions or information, contact: 610-921-0473

Neversink Mountain - Saturday April 18, 2009

6 to 7 miles with a few hills

Explore the Neversink Mountain starting at the east side; some hills so wear good hiking boots. Bring water and snacks. Of course, we will go for lunch!

Meeting place: 10:00 am , inside Forest Hills Cemetery on Klapperthal Road, off East Neversink Road.

For further directions or information, contact: 610-777-4223

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Easter Sunday Sunrise Service Hike - Tribute to Paul Lehman - Sunday April 12,2009


4 miles

This was Paul's annual hike to the top of Mt. Penn to participate in the Easter Dawn Service sponsored by the Greater Reading Council of Churches. Moderate pace. Bring a flashlight and dress for the weather. (WARM clothes and sturdy shoes recommended) Optional Easter hat if preferred. Optional breakfast stop afterwards.

Note: Hike is in conjunction with Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club

Meeting Place: 5:30 am at the Former Police Academy Parking Lot in Reading's City Park

For further information and directions, contact: 610-678-5921

Monday, March 30, 2009

Mystery Easter Hike - Saturday April 11, 2009

EXACTLY 5 miles!

Kathy & Kay will lead a Mystery Easter Hike. Imagine Easter eggs, towers, views, farmlands, and animals. This is a walk of EXACTLY 5 miles over mostly roads with some hills.

Meeting Place: 9:00 am at Redner's Market on Route 61 North in Leesport

For further information and directions, contact: 610-603-9461 or 610-796-7602

Sunday, March 29, 2009

North Coventry Township - Saturday April 4, 2009

6 miles

Les is leading a road hike in Chester County's northern most township, just south of Pottstown. This is a hilly area with old homes, stone walls, bridges, and lots of scenery. This loop hike will skirt the southern fringe of Laurel Locks Farm and pass through the notorious Free Love Valley of the 1830's, 1840's and 1850's.

First Meeting Place: 9:30 am at Boscov's East Parking Lot (at east end of lot) on Business Route 422 East in Exeter Township

Second Meeting Place: 9:50 am at the Wawa on Route 422 East in Douglasville. From this location it will be an approximate 3 mile drive to the start of the hike.

For directions and further information, contact: 610-323-1703

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Blue Marsh Lake - Saturday March 28, 2009

7 miles

Hike around Blue Marsh starting at the Church Road parking lot up to Bernville - Robie Road. We will cross the bridge and go down the other side back to the starting point.

Meeting place: 9:30 am at Blue Marsh on Church Road parking lot just off of Route 183

For further information and directions, contact: 610-926-3415

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Neversink Mountain - Saturday March 21, 2009

3 to 6 miles

This will be a hike around the mountain. Weather and trail conditions will determine the distance of the hike. There will be a stop at the "Witch's Hat" for a snack. Please come prepared with boots, food, and water.

Meeting place: 1100 am at 10th and South Streets in Reading

For further inforamtion and directions, contact: 610-374-2394

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

NEWLY POSTED Hike - Park and Music in Allentown: Trexler Park - SUNDAY March 15, 2009

1.4 miles

Wander through Allentown Art Museum (free), then enjoy the 3:00 pm Allentown Symphony Orchestra concert (guitar soloist). Tickets for hikers are $18.00 (this includes a 10% discount). Look for fellow hiker Mercedes Jurkiewicz in the cello section, and Ron Kieffer might be your usher! After the concert (5:00pm), we'll go to the Allentown Brew Works for something to eat.

Meeting place: 12:12 pm at CJ Hummel's (Route 143 in Lenhartsville, park at rear of side parking lot) or 1:01 pm at Trexler Park in Allentown at the Springhouse Road parking lot.

For further details and information, contact: 484-515-8001

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Earl Township Road Hike - Saturday March 14, 2009

6 miles

A loop hike in the Boyertown watershed. Six miles with an optional seventh mile. Spectacular views of Montgomery County on a clear day and hills to keep you warm on a cold day!

Meeting place: 10:00 am at the rear of Trout Run Lake on Powder Mill Hollow Road.

Directions: From Routes 562 qnd 662 at Yellow House - Drive east on Rt 562 toward Boyertown. After 1.5 miles, turn left onto Powder Mill Hollow Rd. Go about 1.5 miles up the hill and Trout Run Lake will be seen to the left. A parking area is behind the lake about a half mile past Hemlock Rd. Immediately prior to encountering Powder Mill Hollow Rd. on Rt 562 east, there is a large white building containing a post office and bar/restaurant on the left. Prepare to turn left soon after seeing this landmark!

For further directions and information, contact: 610-323-1703

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Horseshoe Trail - Saturday March 7, 2009

8 miles, strenuous

This is a shuttle hike leaving from Pumping Station Road and ending at Route 72. This hike is rated as strenuous by the hike leader and includes some changes in elevation. Wear hiking boots and bring water. Optional lunch stop afterwards at Klinefeltersville Hotel.

Meeting place: 9:00 am at Pumping Station road (intersects Route 322 two miles west of Brickerville)

For further directions and information, contact: 610-373-6730