Furnace Hills and Middle Creek Horseshoe Trail Hike (difficult)

The Furnace Hills were once the center of colonial and early American iron and steel production. Before the Civil War most American iron and steel was produced right here in a belt of hills between Berks and Lebanon counties. Once denuded of trees to fuel the iron furnaces over the last century forests have reclaimed the hills, and today a number of parks, recreation areas and campground make the Furnace Hills a popular outdoor recreation area (and one of the first you get to on the turnpike heading out of Philadelphia).

We'll be meeting up at the Middle Creek WMA parking lot off Fox Road at 9AM (40°15'30.8"N 76°17'21.9"W). The parking lot is set back from the road. From there we'll hike over the hills on the HT to the Elders RunTrail and make a loop with the Valley View Trail. This will be a more difficult 9 mile hike over rolling terrain. The trail is quite rocky in places. Make sure to wear appropriate footwear. The trails are shared with mountain bikers, so be aware as you hike of bikers on the trail.

Hike will cancel for severe weather.