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Mushroom Season in Ripollès
Explore the best spots for mushroom foraging, enjoy autumn cuisine, and stay in the heart of the Girona Pyrenees
When autumn arrives, Ripollès becomes a true paradise for mushroom enthusiasts. However, knowing exactly where to find the best mushrooms isn't easy, as expert foragers keep their secrets well-guarded. What we do know is that these mountains, with their lush forests and ideal climate, offer a unique opportunity to enjoy this activity, deeply rooted in Catalan culture. If you're craving adventure and nature, the rural house El Roure de Molló is the perfect place to begin your mushroom hunt.
Where to find mushrooms in Ripollès? Ripollès is known for its extensive pine, oak, and beech forests, which provide ideal habitats for a wide variety of mushrooms, such as porcini, saffron milk caps, St. George’s mushrooms, waxcaps, chanterelles, field mushrooms, pine saffron caps, slippery jacks, and black trumpets!
The challenge, however, is knowing where to find them. Below are some of the classic locations that never fail.
Recommended areas for mushroom hunting:
- Molló Forests: Close to El Roure rural house, these woods offer quick and easy access to areas with pine saffron caps, porcini, and yellowfoot chanterelles. It's one of the most popular spots for local foragers.
- Vall de Núria: The surroundings of Vall de Núria are known for their moist forests, where you can find a variety of mushrooms, such as wood blewits and negrillas.
- Coll d'Ares and Vallter 2000: These higher altitude areas, especially near the ski slopes, are rich in porcini and saffron milk caps, but chanterelles can also be found after the first autumn rains.
- Serra Cavallera: In the area of Sant Joan de les Abadesses, this mountain range offers a combination of forest and pasture, ideal for finding a variety of mushrooms, such as saffron milk caps and waxcaps. You can also find other species like black trumpets and St. George's mushrooms here.
- Ogassa Forests: Located between Ripoll and Sant Joan de les Abadesses, this area is great for finding saffron milk caps, as well as other mushrooms like parasols, which are often found in forest clearings.
- Les Llosses: A very popular area for mushroom hunters, with a wide variety of mushrooms such as saffron milk caps, negrillas, and wood blewits. The diversity of habitats makes it one of the best spots for mushroom hunting in Ripollès.
What mushrooms will you find in Ripollès? Ripollès stands out for the variety of mushrooms, thanks to its mountain climate and the area's rich forests. These are the most popular mushrooms you can find:
- Bloody milk cap: One of the most sought-after mushrooms. Bloody milk caps are known for their mild flavor and firm texture. Besides being easy to recognize, they are widely used in local cuisine.
- Ceps: Ceps mushrooms are highly valued for their meaty texture and intense flavor. This mushroom is especially popular in the region's cuisine, often used in rice dishes and stews.
- Yellow Foot: Small in size but with a very distinctive flavor. Yellow foot chanterelles are perfect for drying and adding to soups or stews.
- Grey knight: With their delicate appearance, grey knight often appear after the first frosts, offering a sweet and pleasant taste.
- Llenegues: These mushrooms are highly valued for their culinary uses, often prepared in stews or grilled.
- Golden Chanterelles: Appreciated for their yellow color and delicate flavor, golden chanterelles are mushrooms typically found in beech and oak forests. They can be sautéed or used as a garnish for meat and fish dishes.
- Black Trumpets: This black-colored mushroom, despite its unappealing name, has an excellent flavor and is often used in game dishes or sauces. It is commonly found in oak and beech forests.
- Parasol mushroom: This mushroom is found in open areas or forest clearings. They are large and easily recognizable, with caps that can measure up to 30 cm. They are excellent when pan-fried with a touch of garlic and parsley.
- St. George’s Mushrooms: Although more common in spring, some St. George’s mushrooms can also be found in the autumn, especially in mountain meadows. They are known for their mild flavor and characteristic aroma.
Precautions when Collecting Mushrooms
Although mushroom foraging is a fun and rewarding activity, it is essential to take certain precautions to avoid picking toxic species. Many mushrooms can be mistaken for edible varieties but may be harmful to your health.
Traditional Dishes with Mushrooms in Ripollès
Autumn is not only the season for mushroom picking but also for enjoying them at the table. Mushrooms are a key ingredient in Ripollès' cuisine, and the autumn season is the perfect time to savor traditional dishes that incorporate these forest treasures.
The 5 Best Activities on the Costa Brava
From our rural house Mas Darovie, located in the Baix Empordà, we recommend five adventures to enjoy your rural getaway to the fullest.
On the Costa Brava, you can engage in many activities. We will recommend those that, in our opinion, you can enjoy, whether with family, friends, or children.
Hiking, for example, is an inexpensive way to enjoy your weekend getaway without any additional cost. In this case, if you look out from the terrace or garden of our rural house, you have the opportunity to see two castles: the Foixà castle, located one kilometer from the rural accommodation, and the Montgri castle, located in Torroella de Montgri, fifteen kilometers from our house. These are two highly recommended routes suitable for all levels.
Cycling on the Costa Brava: You may want to visit some of the medieval villages surrounding us. You can do this from village to village, by car, or by renting a burricleta in the municipality of Gualta, just twelve kilometers from our rural house. There are different routes to choose from, and you will undoubtedly enjoy the views, the fresh air, and the visits to the medieval villages.
Water activities: I'm not sure which is the best, but for a getaway with children, I would recommend Kayak del Ter, located in the village of Colomers. You will have the opportunity to descend the Ter River, observing the flora and fauna throughout the journey. For the more adventurous staying at our rural house, I would recommend breaking from tradition and booking a via ferrata on the Costa Brava.
For wine lovers, I recommend doing a tasting of local wines. Near our rural tourism house, there are two wineries: one located in Cruïlles "Sota els Angels" and another in Sant Martí Vell, "Eccociwine".
Last but not least, I would propose a visit to a farm to learn and see firsthand the products provided by an agricultural and livestock farm. In this case, we recommend Mas Casas, located in Cruïlles, where you can book an activity or take a guided tour of the farm. Let's live a rural experience!
Have fun!
Mulats selection
Rural tourism in Molló for the Espinavell Mulats selection.
What are the Mulats?
The Mulats are a breed of horses typical of the Ripolles area. They are robust, strong, and were traditionally used for working in the fields, etc. Farmers breed them to later sell them at the annual fair in Espinavell.
Very close to our rural house, in the Catalan Pyrenees, is Espinavell, a charming village that belongs to the same municipality as Molló.
In this town, every October 13th is a day of celebration and involves the participation of many farmers from the area.
When the summer temperature starts to rise, farmers take their horses up to the mountains of the Catalan Pyrenees, where they remain until October 11th or 12th. During these days, the farmers traverse the mountains to gather the animals and bring them to the municipality's fair. Many farmers take a couple of days on the journey. It's a hiking route that can be done and is undoubtedly a highly recommended unique rural experience.
Our rural house for 8 people is located just 5 kilometers by car from this municipality. Enjoy the tranquility of not having to wake up early to experience this special event.
To enjoy a good experience, here are 5 recommendations:
- 1- Arrive at the municipality of Espinavell at 8 in the morning. (Parking is limited and they close the gates very early. Later on, you would have to access through the shuttle bus).
- Bring your folding chair and choose a good spot. (The animals usually come down between 10 and 11 in the morning).
- Stroll through the fair, where you can purchase quality local products.
- Have breakfast at the fair.
- If you enjoy hiking, climb up to the top of the mountain to see exclusively how the farmers work to gather the livestock. Something spectacular.
Obviously, the fair has a great media impact and it's not a good day to eat out. In my opinion, the best thing is to return to the rural house and have a quiet meal, rest, and possibly around 4 p.m. return to Espinavell to see how they load the offspring sold at the fair onto the trucks.
Rural Tourism in Foixà
Foixà is a picturesque municipality located in the Baix Empordà región.
Surrounded by farmland, hills, and forests, it stands out throughout the year for its natural beauty and magnificent panoramic views over the plain known as "Empordanet." Witnessing its transformation from season to season is truly wonderful.
For photography enthusiasts and painting aficionados, we recommend not leaving their passion at home and preparing to capture memories on film or canvas. From our rural house, you can paint or photograph iconic places such as Foixà Castle, Montgri Castle, and on clear days, even the Medes Islands.
At Mas Darovie, you will find peace, relaxation, inspiration—make the most of these days to connect with nature.
Hiking enthusiasts can enjoy exploring the various routes offered by the municipality, whether venturing into the forests or traversing the medieval remnants that characterize this magnificent village.
As mentioned, hiking is a highly versatile activity. Starting from our rural house, you can choose from a myriad of routes. Here are two references to give you an idea.
If you look from our terrace, you'll see a medieval castle. This is a straightforward cultural route suitable for all skill levels.Through rural paths, there is an opportunity to explore the surroundings of the castle.
The castle dates back to the 11th century and is an impressive example of medieval military architecture. During the Middle Ages, Foixà played a prominent role in the region's history, being an important commercial and cultural center.
On the same route, you'll find a cross in homage to John I, also known as the Hunter King, who died at this location in 1396 during a hunting expedition.
If you continue the route to the main square of the village, you'll find the so called Lion Fountain, dating back to the 18th century. There, you'll also find the Church of Sant Joan, built in the 16th century in Gothic style.
The Mills Route is also suitable for all skill levels, with a duration of about 2.5 hours. In this route, you can see some of the mills that are still preserved. Different panels explain the history of these mills and their importance to the local economy.
For those traveling with children, it's essential to know what our municipality has to offer.
Very close to our rural tourism, there is a playground for the little ones to enjoy. In the same area, there is a health park for those who like to stay fit. This playground is only 300m from our location. A little further up from the playground, you can enjoy a magnificent polished asphalt court for playing football, basketball, or skating.
In our facilities, we have a fully fenced pool for the safety of children, a trampoline for jumping, football goals, and a ping-pong table.
We hope that our information is helpful to our guests, and they come to discover and fall in love with this idyllic place, where they can daydream, fill their lungs with fresh air, create memories of a getaway with friends or family, admire the landscapes, and enjoy one of the best locations in the Empordà.
Places of interest
Historical fact: King John I of Spain, also known as the Hunter King, died during a hunt in 1396 in the vicinity of the mediaeval castle of Foixà. A cross on the road to Foixà Castle commemorates this event.
Just 5 minutes away is Púbol, home to the Gala-Dalí Museum, where Salvador Dalí and his wife Gala lived for a time.
It certainly has an unbeatable location, being only 10 minutes from La Bisbal d'Empordà and 20 minutes from the Costa Brava's renowned beaches and the city of Girona.
To the north are the ruins of Ampurias and its attractive beaches. To the south are three pretty fishing villages: Calella de Palafrugell, Llafranc and Tamariu.
From this peaceful enclave you can visit mediaeval villages such as Rupià, Monells, Cruïlles, Peratallada and Pals.
All in all, a special place for a holiday or weekend getaways.
Gastronomy
Hello, I'm Rosa, the manager responsible for ensuring that your vacations or weekend getaways are as comfortable as possible. As you already know, Mas Darovie is a rural house for 10 guests, and what many of you may not know is that we opened recently, specifically on April 1, 2023. It is an honor for me that the owners of the house trusted me to embark on this new adventure.
In this blog, I will talk to you about gastronomy, undoubtedly an essential part of your getaways with family or friends. The Mediterranean diet is well known worldwide, and here I will talk about restaurants or places that may be to your liking or interest. The location of the house is fantastic for exploring the Costa Brava, the Baix Empordà, the Alt Empordà, and the Gironés. We are surrounded by places that we can recommend to all our guests, so in addition to having a unique rural accommodation, you can have an interesting gastronomic experience.
We will start with places closest to our rural house and then gradually move further away, in case you'd like to visit some nearby medieval towns or discover some of the wonderful beaches that surround us.
The neighboring town of Rupià is just a five-minute drive away, and there you can find Dos Kiwis Brewery, where craft beer enthusiasts can enjoy various flavors and colors of this refreshing beverage. You can also taste it alongside dishes prepared at their Food Truck and sometimes even with live music.
Continuing on our route, we come to the town of Púbol, well-known for being part of the Dalinian triangle. Here, I can recommend two places: on one hand, the Can Bosch Restaurant, where you can savor a high-quality daily menu, as they call it here, "pagès" style. It is located in front of the Gala-Dalí House Museum. On the other hand, there's the És! Carxofa restaurant, located in the town's main square. It's sure to captivate you. Aside from various dishes, I recommend trying their exquisite paellas. They work a lot with seasonal produce, so the menu changes depending on the time of year.
Heading towards Bisbal d’Empordà to discover all kinds of ceramics, we come across a place called L’Illa. Its appearance might not be very attractive, but it's one of the best places for a traditional fork and knife lunch with options like fish and meat.
As we reach Corçà, right at the entrance, we find two restaurants for the most discerning palates: La Bòbila and Bo·tic, the latter having been awarded two Michelin stars. However, here, reservations should be made in advance, and be prepared to open your wallet for a unique dining experience. At the exit of the same municipality, we find La Vil·la de Corcà, a menu restaurant with slightly higher prices than usual but with more elaborate cuisine. You can also order à la carte, and it has a playground if you're traveling with children.
Now we're in Bisbal d’Empordà, strolling and marveling at its ceramic offerings. If you want something different, like sushi, you can go to Can Kai Taro. Apart from enjoying their dishes on-site, you can take the food back to our house and enjoy it there. Or perhaps you want something more casual. There's El Passeig, where you can enjoy tapas or the typical "espardenya" (pizza-like dish) of the municipality while observing the passage of time in this unique place.
Returning to our rural house, we head to the Costa Brava. Just a 10-minute drive away, we find a typical Catalan farmhouse where you can take the kids to visit an animal farm and then enjoy a typical menu, right there at the farm. The specific place is called Can Casadellà, in Serra de D’Aró.
Continuing our journey, we will enjoy the pleasant promenade of L'Estartit. There you can find different restaurants. We recommend the Santa Clara Restaurant, near the promenade, which offers delicious seafood tapas, or Gelatone pizzeria, also highly recommended.
Let's explore some of the beaches of the Costa Brava. For example, in summer, it's very typical to go to Pollos de Pals, a restaurant where you can taste roasted chicken and a good sangria upon returning from the beach.
We continue and arrive in Palamós, where a plethora of restaurants can exceed your expectations. In this case, we recommend Bar Petit, located at the port by the beach. Or El Celler de la Planassa, near the fishing port, and La Gamba. Remember that Palamós is well-known for its red prawns, which are undoubtedly exquisite.
We return to our starting point, our rural house, and this time, instead of heading to Baix Empordà, we'll go to Alt Empordà.
Just 7 minutes from the house, you'll find Mas Pi at the entrance of Verges, a place where you can relax in the inner courtyard, have a drink, enjoy live concerts, and choose from a wide variety of dishes from the menu or à la carte.
We head to L’Escala, well-known for its anchovies, a delicacy you shouldn't miss in this magnificent setting. Els Pescadors restaurant and Marisquería Miryam are also places that may fit your visit to this town.
Today, you plan to visit l'Alt Empordà, specifically to visit Ampuriabrava, our Catalan Venice, where you can dine at various places. In this case, we recommend Enjoy, located on the promenade, or Pura Brasa.
Cadaqués: many of our guests tell us they intend to spend the day there, so we'll recommend two places. When you arrive by car at the main beach of the town and turn left, you'll explore various hidden coves and eventually reach a point where you'll find two beach bars with spectacular views. Either of the two beach bars is highly recommended, though I personally like La Sal Es Xiringuito Ses Oliveres. We also encourage you to try els Taps de Cadaqués, sweets you can find in the town's bakeries.
We try to make the most of our family vacations, exploring everything around us. Today, we've decided to visit Girona, where I recommend the El Provocador restaurant (for meat, fish, and more...). If you want something different, try the Mexican 1810 Tacos and Tapas. I especially recommend their mango Margaritas. Of course, I can't fail to recommend one of the most famous and sought-after restaurants in the Girones: El Celler de Can Roca, for the most exquisite palates.
We hope this blog is to your liking and helpful for your getaways to Mas Darovie!