Urtx-Alp to La Molina Mushroom hunting hike

About Urtx-Alp to La Molina Mushroom hunting hike

The forests of Catalonia are home to more than 2000 varieties of Mushrooms, bolets, some of those are exclusively found in this province and autumn is the best time to harvest them. The Bosc del Carboner Mort forest between the Renfe stations of Urtx-Alp and La Molina, below the la Molina ski resort is famous for the wide variety of mushrooms that bloom in the damp forest.

The hiking route from the town of Alp has magnificent view of the Pyrenees on one side and a thick damp forest of Birch, Hazel, fir, oak & pine trees growing on the side of the mountain up to the ski resort and summit of Collada de Toses.

Mushroom hunting in Catalan Culture

A popular event in rural communities is to go mushroom hunting which forms a large part of Catalan autumn and winter cuisine. Many rural towns have mushroom markets and you can find edible mushrooms in any food market in Barcelona during this period. During the Autumn, thousands of Catalans drive up into the forests around the North to find some of the most elusive mushrooms that grow only in Catalonia.

Edible mushrooms at Sants Food Market — Edible mushrooms at **Sants Food Market**

There is curious expression Estar tocat del bolet, literal translation to be touched by the mushroom, which means that a person is hallucinating or crazy. This popular expression comes from the Fly agaric (Amanita muscaria) mushroom, (red with white dots) with hallucinogenic properties.

A local TV series about Caçadors de Bolets, (mushroom hunters) that was aired on 3CAT tv channel, described as An informative series about the world of mushrooms found in our province provides in-depth insight into the mushroom culture of Catalonia.

When to pick mushrooms in Catalonia

Mushroom picking season usually starts in October depending on factors such as soil type, humidity, temperature and if it has recently rained. Normally, November is considered the perfect month for mushroom picking. However, mushrooms can grow from the end of September if it has rained in the summer.

Mushroom season ends when the winter frost and snow sets in but local Catalan hunters say that when you find a mushroom called Fredolic, (cold mushroom), it means that the cold is coming and the end of mushroom harvest season.

Where to find mushrooms in Catalonia

To be a good Caçadors de Bolets (mushroom hunter) or boletaire, (mushroom picker), you need to know where to look for them. The most famous areas for mushroom hunting in Catalonia are usually the following damp mountainous areas:

Montseny Natural Park
Forests of the Berguedá region
Parts of the Collsacabra mountains in Osona such as Rupit.

Oak
Chestnut
Oak and pine
Holm oak
Riverside or gallery forests

This route runs parallel to the Alp river and has multiple tributaries crossing down to this river amongst a variety of the above trees making it an ideal place to find mushrooms. Take a look at the photo Gallery.

Mushroom hunting safety

if you are in doubt, throw it out

Amanita phalloides: (flour mill) is the biggest cause of many poisonings every year
Fly agaric:
Pantherine:
Cortinarius:
Omphalotus olearius:
Tricholoma pardinum:
Clitocybe:
Never to pick mushrooms directly from a tree or trunk: they are not flavoursome for cooking and can even be toxic.

Note: I am not an expert on mushrooms and when I took the photos from this route, the mushrooms I photographed were the most artistic and colourful mushrooms, many of which are toxic so do not use my photos as a guide as what is an edible mushroom. I did not pick any of the mushrooms because I do not have the knowledge to evaluate if they are safe to eat.

Mushroom Harvesting Resources

To harvest a mushroom, use a sharp knife to cut the stem where it joins the ground. Once the mushroom is picked, it should be placed in a wicker or mesh basket with the hymenium (the lower part of the hat) upside down. This causes the mushroom to spread its spores through the holes in the basket so that it can grow again.

Edible Mushrooms Toxic Mushrooms Picture Mushroom Andriod App Mushroom Indentifier Apple IOS App Shroomify IOS & Andriod App Book of Musrooms Andriod App

Traditional Catalan Mushroom recipies

Bolets con ajo y perejil (All Ajillo): mushrooms with garlic and parsley, normally a starter
croquetas de setas/bolets: mushroom croquettes, normally a starter
Pintxos de bolets: grilled mushroom kebab sticks, normally a starter
Sautée rovellons: grilled saffron milk caps or red pine mushrooms, normally a starter
Sopa de bolets: mushroom soup, normally a starter
Garró de pork al forn amp paramentier de bolets: grilled pork in mushroom sauce, normally a main
Metxetes pork amb bolets: mushroom and pork stew, normally a main
Mandonguilles de carn amb bolets: meatballs made of beef and mushrooms, normally a main
Mongetes amb Bolets: Beans with Mushrooms stew, normally a main
Fricandó: slow-cooked beef stew with mushrooms. includes the traditional Catalan picada (a puree of nuts, herbs, garlic, and wine), normally a main
Bolets i ceba amb botifarra: Catalan grilled sausage with mushrooms and caramelised onions, normally a main

Image Gallery For Urtx-Alp to La Molina Mushroom hunting hike

Click on any of the 42 images to open full screen gallery player. Note that viewing images is subject to our Fair Use Policy.

Visiting Urtx-Alp to La Molina Mushroom hunting hike

At the end of the station platform at Urtx-Alp is a footpath that crosses the single track railway line and descends down and via an underpass rather than taking the winding road. follow Avinguda Girona into Alp village taking the first left into Carrer Mossen Gabanyach and then a left into Avinguda de la Molina which transitions into a gravel country lane. If you take the early train, there is time to head into the centre of Alp to find a bar for coffee and breakfast.

As you head away from the village you will eventually arrive at a fork in the gravel road. you need to take the right fork, however 50 metres along the left fork you will see Torre de Riu. this is an old farmhouse converted into a castle, following the neo-medieval fashion of the 16th century.

Follow the path into the forest and follow it as per the Wikiloc route. Note that to find the mushrooms you will have to wander off the path and explore in the forest. Use my suggested route as a guide and explore the many small paths in this forest.

Manage your time accordingly to arrive at La Molina before the last train of the day. The route itself is short at 11km and takes about 4 hours to walk allowing plenty of time for foraging in the forest.

Hiking in the Bosc del Carboner Mort between Urtx-Alp and La Molina with a Dog

This route is fine and should not present any challenges or difficulties for a dog. However, note that this forest does contain poisonous mushrooms and it is possible that you may come across poisonous Pine Processionary Caterpillars in Spring and Summer.

Restaurants in La Molina next to the Renfe Station

Lo Vintage Restaurant/Llesquería: Plaça verge de les Neus, 17537 La Molina, Girona
Bar Granja La Molina: Barri Plan Estacion, 2, 17537 La Molina, Girona
Restaurant El Brezo: Carrer de l'Estació, 17537 La Molina, Girona

What to take with you for Urtx-Alp to La Molina Mushroom hunting hike

A wicker carry basket can be found in most home goods stores. Ask for cesta de miembro para setas.

Urtx-Alp to La Molina Mushroom hunting hike Summary of Prices

Train/Bus Fare Entry Ticket Additional Information Train/Bus Fare Entry Ticket Additional Information Adult € 23.00 € 0.00 Child € 23.00 € 0.00 Notes Hike is free, return train costs 23.00 Euros

Getting to Urtx-Alp to La Molina Mushroom hunting hike

Address: Bosc del Carboner Mort, Alp, 17538

Take the Renfe Rodalies, R3 line, Barcelona to Pyrenees train (Pigcerda or Latour-de-Carol) getting off at Urtx-Alp and returning from La Molina on the same line.

The R3 Rodalies line is the only train line from Barcelona that will take you to the foot of the Pyrenees mountains which is why the best train accessible hiking routes can be found starting and ending from many stations along this train line.

Note: Urtx-Alp is an unmanned station on a single track line with no station services such as a tea bar or toilets. Make sure you take food and drink with you or it is a bit of a diversion into the village of Alp to find breakfast.