Saturday February 26, 2021 - Monocacy Hill

5 moderate miles

We will climb up the hill from the front and down the steps in the back (if weather is conducive) and do a few other trails (Creek Trail for sure). We can, if we have another willing leader, break into two groups, if some do not want to hike the hill for the winter view as far as the Pagoda. Active heavy snow, rain or Ice on the roads cancels this hike. Bring poles & spikes ifb needed. Lunch options (in order of my preference): Vincenzo’s Ristorante, Uncle Jacks, Italian Delight, Island Pizza.

Meeting place: 9:50 a.m. at Monocacy Hill Recreation Area main parking lot. Hike will start at 10. 

Directions: From 422 E, take roundabout for a left hand turn onto Limekiln Road, right turn onto Monocacy Hill Road, right turn onto Geiger Road parking lot.

GPS: 54 Geiger Road, Douglassville

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-385-6862 before, 484-797-4234 day of hike

Saturday February 19, 2022 - Wyomissing Park to Reading Museum

5+ easy miles

This will be a loop hike with creek, trails, meadow, pineforest. Lunch there after is a possibility. Excessive snow or ice may lead to postponement.

Meeting place: 10 a.m. at Wyomissing Quarry Soccer Fields parking lot

Directions: Drive west on Lancaster Avenue through Shillington. After passing WAWA at Museum Road, turn right into the soccer field parking lot. 

GPS: Approx. 2220 Lancaster Pike, Reading

For more information or further directions, contact: Cell:610-301-4342

Saturday February 12, 2022 - Leesport Area Hike

5 moderate miles

We will hike back roads around Leesport, mostly sidewalks, some hills. We’ll probably go around the hunting preserve, will adjust hike to the weather. Steady rain or heavy snow cancels.

Meeting place: 10a.m.behind Schuylkill Valley Library at Leesport Playground.

Directions: Take Rte 61 north to Leesport. At Turkey HIll, turn left onto W. Wall St. Cross river, then take 1st left and follow library signs. It will be on the right. 

GPS: 1310 Washington Road, Leesport

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

Saturday February 5, 2022 - Gibraltar Hill

6.5 to 7 difficult miles

We will access Gibraltar Hill via the Schuylkill River trail. The trails here are generally unmaintained. Expect ruts and logs across the trails. This is mostly up and down, not too much level. At this time of year there should be some good views. Snowy or icy roads will cancel this hike.

Meeting place: 10 a.m. at Angstadt Lane trailhead off Rte 724.

Directions: From Rte I-176, take Rte 724 east toward Birdsboro for one block. Take the first left onto Angstadt Lane and continue for about 2/10 mile to the trailhead parking. 

GPS: Angstadt Lane, Birdsboro [40.300137, -75.899642]

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-323-1703

Saturday January 29, 2022 - Enola Low Grade Trail / Quarryville Section

4-5 easy miles

This trail extends over 26 miles long so we will not be doing it all this day!!! We'll walk west for a couple of miles, turn around and walk east for a couple of miles. Total length of hike is 4-5 miles.

Meeting place: 8 a.m. at Ollie’s Outlet, 2251 Lancaster Pike, Shillington. Leave at 8:08 and drive 45-50 miles to trailhead.

Directions: South on 222, through Lancaster, east on 372 to Bushong Road Trailhead. 

GPS: 112 Bushong Road, Quarryville

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-562-8680 (Ron) and 484-515-8001 (Mercedes) 

Saturday January 22, 2022 - French Creek - Turtle Trail

5.7 strenuous miles

We will hike the Turtle Trail loop in French Creek State Park. The trail is narrow and rocky; hiking boots (not shoes) are recommended. If you have hiking poles, bring them. Rain or light snow DOES NOT cancel this hike. We can have lunch afterwards if you would like.

Meeting place: 9:30 a.m. on the parking lot in French Creek State Park
Directions: Follow Rte 422 East, turn right on Rte 345 south to Birdsboro, turn left onto East Main St., then right on Chestnut and continue to FCSP. Turn right onto Park Road and drive past Scotts Run, Hopewell Lake, and the Park office. About 0.4 miles past the office, turn left into the parking lot next to South Entrance Road. This is NOT the boat ramp parking lot.

GPS: Park Road & South Entrance Road [40.19596, -75.796911] 

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-247-5190 or naturerocks1024@gmail.com

Saturday January 15, 2022 - Wyomissing Trail

4-5 easy miles

Meet on the Reading Public Museum parking lot to walk the Wyomissing Trail. Path may be ice covered/snow covered/or clear! Not sure? Call the leader.

Meeting place: 9:30 a.m. at 500 Museum Road, Wyomissing 

For more informer further directions, contact: 610-451-0821 call or text.

Saturday January 8, 2022 - Thomas P Bentley Nature Preserve & Conebella Farm

??? Miles, approximate 1 hour walk & additional time for tour of the farm

This gorgeous, historic, and bio-diverse preserve is 108-acre mosaic of woods, fields, wetlands, and stunning scenery opened to the public in 2019 and contains a 1-mile rolling trail for exploration. Recognized as a “Birding Hot Spot” by the Valley Forge Audubon Society, the Preserve currently has 111 species recorded as having been observed there. In addition to the beautiful scenery, natural areas and trails, the history at Warwick Furnace is rich. We will walk along the trail about one hour.

Meeting place: 11:00 a.m. at Windmill Restaurant, Rtes 23 & 10, Morgantown

Directions to the preserve: Drive 28 min. via Rte 23 East. Turn right onto Warwick Furnace Rd. 

GPS: Warwick Furnace Rd. & Valley Way Rd. Glenmoore, PA 19343

Conebella Farm is famous for their Ayrshire cows and cheese. The farm store will be open. Leader has made special arrangements with the owner, Don Gable, for BCHC members to tour the farm. You may want to cover boots with a plastic bag (rubber band/old shoelaces). This is a working farm!

Directions to Conebella Farm: Drive 12 min. (via Rtes 401 & 82) GPS: 337 Chestnut Tree Road, Elverson

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-562-8680 (Ron) or Mercedes 484-515-8001

Saturday January 1, 2021 - New Year's Day Hike - Myerstown Walk

3.6 to 4 easy to moderate miles

We will walk on streets and sidewalks around Myerstown, through Stone Ridge Village, Towne Center and the post card place. We’ll walk by the college, Isaac Meier House, a small park and creek. Will go some back streets to return to cars. For those interested, Dutchway will be open and serving pork and sauerkraut dinners or “all-you-can-eat” meals.

Meeting place: 10:00 a.m. at New Beginnings Church

Directions: Go west on 422 toward Myerstown. Pass Dutchway and Country Fare, turn left into NewBeginnings Church at sign (before getting to light at Myerstown). Follow road and go left into lower lot entrance to park.

GPS: 430 E. Lincoln Avenue, Myerstown 17067 

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

Saturday December 25, 2021 - Merry Christmas To All! - No hike scheduled

Saturday December 18, 2021 - Middlecreek Wildlife Management Area

5-6 Difficult miles

Meeting place: 9:30 a.m. at Middle Creek Visitors Center

Directions: from Rt. 272 south, take Rte 897 north for 14 miles to Kleinfeltersville, then take the first left after the stop sign onto Hopeland Rd, then 2 miles to the Visitors Center 

GPS: 100 Museum Road, Stevens 17578

for more information or further directions, contact: 484-824-2740

Saturday December 11, 2021 - Monacacy Hill Recreation Area ( and the roads that get to it!)

 6 Moderate miles

We will hike for about a mile on the roads to get to Monocacy Hill Recreation Area – 428 acres of forest in Amity Township, then hike wooded trails of the recreation area. NOTE: Inclement weather cancels the hike.

Meeting place: 9:30am  at the parking lot of Hill Road Recreation Area in Amity Township.

Directions from Reading to meeting place1: Take US 422 east to Amity Township (about 12 miles). After passing Dollar General on the left, make a left turn onto N. Monocacy Creek Rd. After 0.2 mile, turn left onto Victoria Dr. After 0.1 mile, turn right onto Hill Rd. After 0.1 mile, make a right into the gravel parking lot of Hill Road Recreation Area.

GPS MEET 1: 87 Hill Road, Douglassville 19518.

Directions for meeting place 2: 9:50 am at the Monocacy Hill Recreation Area parking (small parking lot plus side of the road parking).

GPS MEET 2: 54 Geiger Road, Douglassville 19518 

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

Saturday December 4, 2021 - Middle Creek Hike

 5-6 Moderate to Difficult Miles

This will be a nice, wooded trail hike in the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area. Weather permitting, we will start by hiking up a steep fire road to the Elders Run Trail. We will then follow Elders Run Trail to the Middle Creek Trail, then back to the parking area. There will be a long steep hill and stones to contend with. Bring water and snacks. There are several places in the area to stop for lunch after the hike.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, at the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Visitors Center

Directions: From 272 south, take Rte 897 north for 14 miles to Kleinfeltersville, then take the first left after the stop sign onto Hopeland Road, then travel 2 miles to the Visitors Center. 

GPS: 100 Museum Road, Stevens 17578

For more information or further directions, contact: 717-949-2056

Saturday November 27, 2021 - Coventry Woods

 6 Moderately difficult miles

Using a number of trails and gravel roads, this hike will cover the western perimeter of this North Coventry Township park, just across the Berks border in Chester County. There will be several hill climbs and a variety of terrain. Snow will cancel.

Meeting place: 10 a.m. at the second lot in Coventry Woods. After entering the park, drive up a short hill, then down past the first parking lot to the bottom, follow the road left, and when it turns left again, the second parking area is on both sides of the lane.

Directions 1: Take Rte. 724 east from Birdsboro. About three quarters of a mile past River Bridge Rd (the road/bridge leading to Douglassville), turn right onto Unionville Road (All-Type Fence is located at this intersection). Follow Unionville Rd. 2.1 miles past Temple Church and Shenkel Church. Turn right at St. Peter’s Rd., then after about 0.5 mile turn left into Coventry Woods (Fernbrook Lane is to the right).

Directions 2: From Route 23, take St Peter's Rd. through St Peter's Village and continue for about 4 miles on St Peter's Rd. When you see Fernbrook Lane (on left), turn right into Coventry Woods.

GPS: 1954 St Peters Rd, Pottstown 19465 

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

Saturday November 20, 2021 - 100th Anniversary Hike at Warwick Park

 Approximate miles - ??? - Most likely a short hike

Leader Les will lead the anniversary hike for our celebration.

Meeting place: 11:00asm at Warwick Park

Directions: (From Reading) Take I-176 south to Morgantown. Go east on Route 23 for approximately 9 miles to Knauertown, turn right onto County Park Road (between houses in the village). Proceed 1/4 mile to Park entrance on the left. Pavilion is the largest one at top of hill.

GPS: 191 County Park Rd, Pottstown (Warwick), PA 19465 40.16873 N, 75.72067 W

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

Hike is followed by BCHC's 100th Anniversary celebration! Reservations are required to attend this fun anniversary event.

Wednesday November 17, 2021 - Antietam Lake Park - National Take-a-Hike Day

6-7 miles on moderately hilly trails

We will be walking some less traveled trails. Please bring water and snacks.

Meeting place: 9:30 a.m. at Seidel Road Trailhead Parking Lot. If closed, meet at park office off of Angora Rd. 

Directions: Take Carsonia Avenue to the end in Stony Creek Mills. At stop sign, bear slight left and drive up Antietam Road along the right side of the lake. At Seidel Road, turn left, trailhead parking will be on your right. 

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