Saturday September 27, 2025 - TREXLER NATURE PRESERVE

Approx. 7 moderate to strenuous miles

We will be hiking much of the Border Loop, but we will substitute and easier route in the middle part of the preserve. These trails have many elevation changes, some steep. Beautiful views. Should take about 4 hours on the trail. Lunch options afterwards.

Meeting place: 9:30 AM at 4935 Orchard Road, Schnecksville, PA 

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

GPS: 4935 Orchard Road, Schnecksville, PA [40.65614, -75.61470]

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

Saturday September 20, 2025 - SAND SPRING LOOP TRAIL

4-5 moderate miles

This will be a 4 to 5 Mile loop with a brief stop to view bubbling Sand Spring.

Meeting place: 9:30 a.m. at State Game Land 110 Sharlesville Parking Area

Directions: From Shartlesville, take Mountain Rd toward Hamburg. Take Forge Dam Rd. to the left, where Mountain Rd bears to the right, for 1.5 Miles to the parking area. If you get to the entrance to the Amazon Warehouse (when coming from Shartlesville), you've gone too far on Mountain Rd. 

GPS: State Gameland 110 Shartlesville Parking Area [40.537925, -76.12385]

For more directions or further questions, contact: 412-445-7319

Sunday September 14, 2025 - ICE CREAM HIKE / PENNSIDE DRIVE IN

Approx 4 easy miles

Enjoy an early fall walk around the Pennside area! We will Travel through neighborhoods to enjoy the scenery. Mostly level streets and possibly some hills depending on if we travel up or down on Carsonia Avenue. Return for ice cream and burgers at the Pennside Drive In. 

Meeting place: 4:30 pm at the Pennside Drive-In. Please park on the far lot area to the right of the drive-in.

GPS: 916 Carsonia Avenue, Reading 19606 [40.34284, -75.87641]

For more directions or further questions, contact:  610-823-9023

Saturday September 13, 2025 - BIRDSBORO PRESERVE

4-5 easy to moderate miles

Lots of water on this hike, as we will walk around the two prettiest lakes at the Birdsboro preserve (not the rock climbing lake), and along Hay Creek.  There is one rocky descent, but in general, walking sticks won't be needed.

Meeting place: 9:30 am at the end of Hay Creek Road

Direcrtions: Note: NEW PARKING DIRECTIONS: Go 422 East, Right onto South Center Road. Make a Left onto Main Street. Right onto Chestnut St. (aka Rt. 345). Go about 2 miles, make a right onto Geigertown Rd. Go about 2.2 miles, then make a right onto Mullen Hollow Rd. Go till the first stop sign, right onto Hay Creek Rd. Immediately stay to the right to stay on Hay Creek Rd. Go to the end of the road, and park on the right side.

GPS: Approximate - 2100 Hay Creek Rd. Birdsboro, PA 19508 [40.23907, -75.82999]

For more directions or further questions, contact: 484-374-8964

Saturday September 6, 2025 - EPHRATA RAIL TRAIL

4-5 easy miles

This is an enjoyable rail trail walk. We will travel as far as we want to go and turn around to return to the parking lot. Some of the trail can be quite sunny, be prepared. Lunch will follow at Gus’s Restaurant, 3687 Rothsville Road, Ephrata. Severe weather will cancel.

Meeting place: 10 AM. at Parkview Heights parking lot

Directions: Take Rte 272 south to Ephrata. Turn left at Wendy’s, (traffic light) onto Parkview Hgts Rd. Go about two blocks (notice yellow rail-trail signs) and at stop sign, turn left into parking lot.

GPS: Very close, use 1098 Steinmetz Road, Ephrata. Parking Lot [40.16995, -76.19475]

For more directions or further information, contact: 610-823-9023

Saturday August 30, 2025 - EAST SIDE OF LAKE ONTELAUNEE

Approx. 4 moderate miles

Moderate Loop paths and roads about 4 miles total on the east side of Lake Ontelaunee. Some hills and final half mile is on Rt. 662. Some shade from tree coverings and some areas where grass may be a bit long. On completion of Hike, we’ll meet at Saucony Creek for drink and lunch. 

Meeting place: 9:30am at end of the road circle on approximate 53 Lake Road, Hamburg, PA 19526

Directions: Going up route 222 North, take traffic circle to Route 662 North. Take Moselem Springs Road for approximately 0.4 miles and take a left onto Lake Road after going past McArdle’s Pub. Follow to circle at end of Lake Road to park cars. If you went over a bridge to a Moselem Springs Road parking lot, turn around, you went too far! The left turn onto Lake Road is before the bridge.

GPS: Approximate 53 Lake Road, Hamburg, PA 19526 [40.498205, -75.888310]

For more information and further directions, contact: 484-880-8140

Saturday August 23, 2025 - Oley Valley Loop

4.5 easy miles

Relatively Easy 4.5 Mile Loop hike around the back streets of Oley Valley, past the Reading Motor Cycle Club and final mile through main street.  Mostly on Roads and not a ton of shade….sorry! Bring a brimmed hat or umbrella for shade and wear sunscreen! Lunch and Drinks at Inn on Main in Oley afterwards (Former Oley Valley Inn) 

Meeting place: 9:30 am Oley Valley Sr. High School Parking lot. Address: 17 Jefferson St. Oley PA 19547

Directions: See address

GPS: 17 Jefferson St. Oley PA 19547 [Approximate 40.38603, -75.78405]

For more information and further directions, contact: 484-880-8140

Saturday August 16, 2025 - NOLDE PARK

5-6 moderate to difficult miles

A lovely hike in Nolde Forest. Bring plenty of water and snacks. Rain or snow cancels. Lunch afterwards. 

Meeting place:   9:30 AM at the Church Road Parking Lot

DIRECTIONS: Approximate address 980- 1058 Church Road. From route 724 make a turn onto Route 625 New Holland Road going south, when getting close to Nolde Forest, make a right onto Church Road. Parking lot is soon after the turn on the left hand side of the road.

GPS: Church Rd. Parking Lot Approximate [40.28554, -75.95223]

Leader: Mark Forster 484-818-3813

Saturday August 9, 2025 - HORSESHOE TRAIL / BIG WOODS & SCHUYLKILL TRAIL

6.5 miles

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: 9:45 at the Schuylkill River trailhead (Union Meadows Trailhead) on Route 724 in Monocacy (behind Fork and Ale) 

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 Trailhead [40.26008, -75.78195]

For more information and further directions, contact: 610-850-1855

Sunday August 3, 2025 - ICE CREAM HIKE / GIBRALTAR AREA

Approx. 3 miles

Evening walk on the Schuylkill River Trail to Old River Road to the Viaduct and then to Scoupe Deville for ice cream!

Meeting place:   5:30 PM at Gibraltar Road and 724 (small parking lot, more parking across from Turkey Hill) 

Directions: From Reading, take 422 East (West Shore Bypass) toward Pottstown. Exit at I-176 and take immediate next exit to 724 East. Turn left and proceed 3-4 miles. At Gibraltar Road traffic light, turn right (opposite Turkey Hill), and immediately turn right again into parking lot. If full, go across intersection on Gibraltar Road and use the parking lot at the park.

GPS: 3326 Main Street, Birdsboro [40.28331, -75.86871]

For more information or further directions, contact: 484-948-5084

Saturday August 2, 2025 - VIRGINVILLE / DREIBELBIS FARM

4-5 moderate miles

The hike will consist of 2 loops starting with a road walk which includes a few hills and beautiful views of the ridge line of the Appalachian Trail. Then we will transition to an old railroad bed and parts of a nature trail through the woods along the Maiden Creek. We will walk around the Dreibelbis Farm and share a brief history of the farmhouse and outbuildings. We will return along the railroad bed and through the fields. If you have time, stay for a potluck lunch at my house. I will supply drinks and paperware. Bring something to share and a chair.

Meeting place: 9:30 a.m. at Moselem Meadows, 33 Perry Lane, Hamburg, PA 19526. We have permission to park in the field across from the barn.

Directions: From the traffic circle at the intersection of Rtes 222 and 662 take 662 N 1.3 miles, then slightly right onto Rte143 N for 1.3 miles. Turn left onto Beck Tree Rd, then take the first right onto Perry Lane.  From Lenhartsville after the stop sign take a slight right onto Rte 143 S for 4.8 miles. After passing through Virginville take a hard right onto Beck Tree Rd, then take the first right onto Perry Lane. The barn is at the bottom of the hill.

GPS: 33 Perry Lane, Hamburg, PA 19526 [40.51253, -75.87997]

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-334-2299

Saturday July 26, 2025 - HIKE: UNION MEADOWS EAST TRAILHEAD AND CLUB MEMBER PICNIC (SEE MEMBER FLYER FOR PICNIC TIME & SITE DETAILS)

Approximately 3 easy mile hike with the opportunity to make the hike shorter or longer based on personal preference along the rail trail.

This will be an easy rail to trail hike for a relaxing flat walk.

Meeting place: 11:00 AM at the Union East Meadows Trailhead

Directions: Directions to the hike from 422 East: Turn right onto 345 toward Birdsboro.  At the second light, turn left onto 724.  Go 1.5 miles on 724, and turn left into the Union Meadows East parking lot that is behind Fork and Ale.  

Directions for club members after hike to picnic: See your emailed/mailed schedule for this date or the picnic flyer for details.

GPS: Union Meadows East Trailhead behind Fork & Ale – 1281 East Main St., Douglasville [40.26008, -75.78195]

For more information or further directions, contact: Cell:610-698-4293

Sunday July 20, 2025 - ICE CREAM HIKE / WERNERSVILLE

3-4 miles

Walk around the town of Wernersville. Expect some hills but mostly flat and on sidewalks. Stop over at the town's ice cream stand. Rain cancels this hike.

Meeting place:  4:00 PM at Phoebe Berks, front left parking lot.

Directions: Take Route 422 west from Sinking Spring. As Wernersville is approached (Red Plate Diner on the left) turn right into Phoebe Berks. Bear left up the hill, then turn left before reaching the apartments into the parking area overlooking Route 422. Park in spaces away from the building.

GPS: Phoebe Berks parking lot overlooking Rte. 422 - approximate [40.32910, -76.07182]

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-850-1855

Saturday July 19, 2025 - ST. PETER'S VILLAGE TO CROW'S NEST

Approx. 8 miles

We'll be starting at St. Peter's Village, hiking to Crow's Nest Visitor Center in the Hopewell Big Woods and back.  We will meet in the parking lot north of Village Arcade (Village Arcade address is 3411 St. Peters Rd., Pottstown, PA 19465), which is a dirt parking lot just north of the town. The hike should take about 2 1/2 - 3 hours. There are two moderate hills, a creek crossing, lots of rocks to hike over and some natural springs running out of the hillsides, making for some wet/mushy trails part of the way.  For those of you that only want to hike to Crow's Nest we can have a car or two parked at the Visitor's Center and you can carpool back to St. Peter's Village.  Lunch can follow at the bakery in St. Peter's Village or you can pack a lunch and enjoy the scenery outside on the picnic tables.  

Meeting place: 9:30 AM at the large parking lot that’s north of Village - north of Village Arcade address of 3411 St. Peters Rd.  Parking lot is dirt.

Directions: From Route 422 towards Pottstown, Take exit for Route 176. Take the exit for Morgantown and at the light turn left on Route 23. Continue and then turn left onto St. Peters Road. There is a sign for the Village.

GPS: Approximate location of parking lot entrance that is north of Arcade [40.18017, -75.73134]

For more information or further directions, contact: 484-557-7854 or 302-476-5407

Saturday July 12, 2025 - GIBRALTAR HILL - WILLIAM PENN STATE FOREST

Approximately 6 mod. strenuous to strenuous miles

This is a relatively new set of trails established in 2015 with the Natural Lands Trust. We may see vista views of Berks County on this hike dependent on foliage growth. We will follow trails in the forest with a possible shuttle option at another smaller parking lot off of Killian Drive near the Rail Trail and Seyfert Drive in Gibraltar. We will decide on the morning of the hike if we will do a shuttle

Meeting place: 9:00 AM at the Ridgeway Road parking lot in Birdsboro. (see GPS location)

Directions: From Route 724 (going East) from Reading/ Shillington – Make a right onto Ridgeway Road (if you go past the Schuylkill River Trail Crossing 724, you have gone too far). Follow Ridgeway Road approximately 1.0 mile until you see sign for William Penn State Forest – Gibraltar Hill and go left at entrance. Be aware this is a gravel road up to the parking lot. You will see the parking lot off to the right when you get up the hill. From Route 724 (going West) from Gibraltar – You will go past the Ridgewood Winery and the road crossing for the Schuylkill Trail prior to making a left onto Ridgeway Road. Follow Ridgeway Road approximately 1.0 mile until you see sign for William Penn State Forest – Gibraltar Hill and go left at entrance. Be aware this is a gravel road up to the parking lot. You will see the parking lot off to the right when you get up the hill.

GPS: Parking lot location 473 Ridgeway Road, Birdsboro, PA 19508 [40.28574, -75.89754]

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

Wednesday July 9, 2025 - MINIATURE GOLF OUTING AT SCHELL'S

Come join us for some fun rounds of miniature golf. Lowest score gets a free ice cream! We can enjoy ice cream or burgers at Schell’s afterwards

Meeting place: 6:30 PM, Schell’s Miniature Golf, 4625 North Fifth Street Highway, Temple 19560

GPS: [40.40435, -75.92753]

For more information or further directions contact:  610-223-6952 or 610-823-9023