It is possible that the meteorological madness to which we are beginning to get used to makes us mushroom lovers raise our hands to our heads. Autumn arrives and it is not cold, it does not rain and people still dare in the middle of November to parade through the streets with almost beach outfits.
But the mushrooms have arrived , and picking them is an outdoor activity that is all the rage, which is why the different mushroom tourism destinations began weeks ago exhaust your accommodation reservations.
So if you are a mushroom, you better hurry . Haven't decided your destination yet? We make it easy for you, whether or not you leave Madrid.
Mushrooms in the Sorogain Valley
THE FIVE ESSENTIALS
**NAVALENO (SORIA) **
The province of Soria is one of the famous within mycological tourism . In fact, the black truffle from this part of Spain is one of the most demanded in the world. But the town of Navaleno is the most visited in the region due to its vast mycological wealth in the land of pine forests.
His mycological days in his program have included this year a photography contest . From different varieties of boletus to knight mushrooms can be harvested in this unique setting. In addition, the Navaleno Mycological Center organizes routes throughout the year, including cooking workshops for those who want to delve into the curious world of cooking with mushrooms.
**ULTZAMA VALLEY (NAVARRA) **
Heavyweight of mycological tourism and one of the favorite destinations for mushroom pickers . Up to 8 kilos of mushrooms a day can be collected in this fabulous mycological park that even celebrates the mushroom day in this month of November and they give training courses for the new initiates.
Everything related to stay and accommodation can be resolved on their website. Really they are very prepared for this type of tourism.
Boletus edulis in La Rioja
**JERTE VALLEY (CACERES) **
The most exciting thing about Valle del Jerte is no longer its mycological richness, it is that They have transformed this activity into an experience similar to that of an all-inclusive resort. . The experience includes a personal guide, a vehicle, a meal, material for collection and a lot of learning.
A mycological route through the Jerte Valley that may well end in a tapas tasting, conferences and exhibitions. You can consult the autumn of Valle del Jerte here and by the way, bring home a wedding cake and a potato black pudding, which never hurt.
THE RIOJA
Wine tourism is not at odds with mushroom picking. In fact, much of the mountains of La Rioja are infested with fungi that receive more and more visits every year. And it is that a weekend getaway to a winery can be the perfect occasion to go out into the mountains to pick mushrooms . Of course, the regional government has very controlled this practice.
Authorized land can be consulted on its website to avoid disappointment. Villoslada, Igea or Lumbreras could be perfect destinations.
In the region of Aliste (Zamora) there is the particularity that the jarales produce Boletus edulis
**RABANALES (ZAMORA) **
Mecca for pilgrims boletus edulis (along with Navaleno) . In a town of little more than 600 inhabitants is one of the most documented mycological centers in all of Spain.
Land of jarales, perfect for walking routes, in the town of Rabanales they have placed a lot of emphasis on teach us not only to collect mushrooms, but also to preserve and cook them . All the information can be found on the Board's website.
Boletus aereus, one of the most sought after mushrooms by collectors in Rabanales (Zamora)
FOUR DESTINATIONS FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT WANT TO LEAVE MADRID
Mount Abantos.
located between San Lorenzo de El Escorial Y Santa Maria of the Alameda , the mycological route through the Mount must be done on foot and it is long, so you have to be well prepared.
Cargo mushrooms, blue foot or boletus are part of the treasures that can be found . From the top you can see a spectacular view of the monastery of El Escorial, so it may be a good opportunity to visit one of the wonders of the Spanish Herrerian on the way back.
Sierra de Guadarrama.
Although it is one of the green areas most visited by the people of Madrid throughout the year, when autumn arrives and mushroom picking, its forests are filled with visitors . Land rich in thistle mushrooms and in one of the most appreciated fungi: the níscalo, which grows in abundance among its pine forests. Cotos or Navacerrada can be two good starting points , although the possibilities are endless as indicated on their website .
Do you fancy some mushrooms?
Robledo de Chavela.
The town of Robledo de Chavela has been in all the guides for a long time now because of the wild impulse it has given to rural tourism. Its forests are so full of edible mushrooms that rural accommodation offers activities related to harvesting.
Niscalos, purple foot mushrooms or senderuelas can be found between pines and oaks near the Alto de Navahonda . And if we dare, we can follow the swamp road to San Martín de Valdeiglesias, a fetish for wines with D.O Vinos de Madrid. There we leave it.
scratchy
Nestled in the Valle Alto del Lozoya, we wanted to highlight it in front of the Sierra de Guadarrama for the uniqueness of the Paular Valley. The beauty of its forests contains wild mushrooms everywhere and a good collection of mushrooms, many of them very poisonous . The visit to the monastery of El Paular, one of the most fascinating monuments in the Community, makes it an obligatory stop.
And in the pipeline there are other great destinations to collect mushrooms such as Montseny Natural Park , the Port of the Lions or the Gorbea Natural Park . We leave them for next year. The important thing is that you always follow the most important steps: Go well equipped, consult the conditions of the land and ask for the necessary permits, cut the mushrooms and never pull them out and consult before cooking a mushroom that we have doubts about.
And above all, care of our forests . They need our help now more than ever.