Take a Hike: Berks County is a Great Place for Lovers of the Outdoors, With Many Trails Worth Visiting

By Elizabeth Giorgi, Reading Eagle, Pa.

Apr. 1–BERKS COUNTY MAY not have soaring mountains like the Rockies, craggy coastlines like California or hundred-acre untouched national parks.

But that doesn’t mean it’s not a great place for lovers of the outdoors.

Area hikers say the variability of Berks County’s terrain make the area’s many trails well worth hiking.

From the Blue Mountains in the north — which include a section of the Appalachian Trail — to lake fronts, and from challenging rocky trails to smooth, scenic farmland, Berks County has been giving local recreational hikers a reason to get outside since the early part of the last century.

“There’s everything from fairly easy … to relatively strenuous,” said John Hackman, geographic information systems coordinator with the Berks County Conservancy, about the area’s trails. “There’s a lot of different types of opportunities.”

“This area is very varied,” said Sandi Stevelton of Reading, 32, a member of the Berks Community Hiking Club. “Berks County kind of offers a little bit for everybody’s taste.” Beautiful areas

And Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club member Andy McClay said, “We have so many beautiful areas to hike.”

But even aside from Berks’ scenic splendor, area hikers can give a plethora of reasons for stepping outdoors.

“It’s kind of a great way to get back into shape,” Stevelton said. “It’s a little more challenging than road walking. …You burn a lot of calories.”

No kidding. A 155-pound person can burn 422 calories in an hour of hiking, according to the Web site Nutristrategy.com.

And hikers point out that a lakeside stroll is more interesting than the wall at your local gym.

“Just getting out into the outdoors and into nature is what appeals to people,” said McClay of Collegeville, 79, who is lands chairman for the BMECC. “It’s never the same,” Stevelton said. Most of the hikers said you don’t need to be in great shape to hike.

For many trails, you just need the ability to walk for an extended period of time, and on tougher trails, good footing.

“As long as you are reasonable about what you can do,” said Michael H. Yarnall of Douglass Township, 35, president of BMECC. “Start walking — that’s really all there is to it.” Powerful incentive

Stevelton also cited the feeling of accomplishment you get after tackling a tough trail as a powerful incentive.

Others agreed, saying they also enjoy the feeling of self-sufficiency you get venturing into the wilderness, especially when backpacking. Yarnall recalled his experience backpacking out West a decade ago, which gave him his current taste for hiking. “I had everything in my pack, and I could do whatever I wanted,” he said. And the Berks County area offers a lot for those with a historical interest. “Many of the areas that you walk through have fascinating histories,” McClay said. Many of the area’s trails are built on old rail beds, mountain coal routes for the iron industry and other timeworn pathways, McClay said.

And finally, the social aspect of hiking appeals to many of the area’s hiking club members.

“The social side of it is very appealing,” McClay said. “Because you meet people, and when you’re hiking along people for hours and hours, you form some strong relationships. When you’re hiking with clubs, you’re together with people who are sociable.”

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Copyright (c) 2006, Reading Eagle, Pa.

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