Fall is settling into the city, and suddenly everything revolves around pumpkins again. But besides this vegetable, there are other seasonal foods that deserve a place in your kitchen. Mushrooms are especially popular in Bavaria this time of year, and there are plenty of dishes you can whip up with them. Of course, you can simply buy them at the nearest store and then prepare them at home. But it’s much more fun to go out and hunt for them yourself. Turn your next fall walk into a little adventure and go mushroom hunting in the forests of Munich and the surrounding area!
Forstenrieder Park
Even the Wittelsbachs enjoyed spending time in Forstenrieder Park, though they preferred hunting game to foraging for mushrooms. Even today, many animals still call this place home, such as deer, wild boars, badgers, and foxes. You probably won’t get a close look at them—or might only spot them from a distance. Instead, you’ll find wonderful mushrooms among the trees, such as chestnut mushrooms and witch’s boletes.
Perlacher Forest
The Perlacher Forest is the perfect destination for long walks. You should definitely stop by here, especially in the fall when the leaves turn colorful and glisten golden in the sun. From the Mugl, you’ll also have a wonderful view over the forest. And it’s perfect for mushroom hunting, too, since you ’ll find porcini mushrooms here— and, with a little luck, giant parasol mushrooms.
Ebersberger Forest
About 20 kilometers east of Munich, you’ll reach the Ebersberger Forest, which stretches across a whopping 90 square kilometers. This makes it one of the largest contiguous forest areas in Germany. A forest of this size is, of course, a true paradise for mushroom hunters. On your hunt, you’ll find chanterelles, red-footed boletes, honey mushrooms, and many other varieties. Beyond that, the Ebersberger Forest has much more to offer, such as an observation tower and a forest museum.
Hofoldinger Forest
The Hofoldinger Forest is just an S-Bahn ride away. It’s best to start in Aying if you’re coming here to forage for mushrooms. In the 1960s, there were plans to build Munich’s airport in this area, but in the end, the city opted for its current location near Freising. Luckily, because that means you can still go mushroom hunting here today and harvest chanterelles or porcini mushrooms .
Pupplinger Au
The Pupplinger Au is located along the Isar River near Wolfratshausen, where you can enjoy long walks any time of year. Now that it’s fall, be sure to keep an eye out for mushrooms—you’re sure to find some here. After a successful hunt, you can head on toward Schäftlarn Abbey and stop for a bite at its Bräustüberl.
There are many beautiful places in and around Munich where you can go mushroom hunting. Before you set out in search of mushrooms, though, you should definitely make sure you know which ones are edible. Don’t go out without a proper mushroom guide, and only pick mushrooms you’re 100% sure about. If you don’t want to go out alone, you can also take a guided mushroom hike, where you’ll learn more about them.
