5hr Foraging & Bushfcrafting with naturalist and wildife expert in Piatra Craiului

A foraging trip is a fascinating adventure, rich in biodiversity and culinary discoveries. Romania boasts diverse ecosystems, including temperate forests, mountains, and meadows, offering a wide array of edible plants, mushrooms, and other treasures waiting to be discovered.

During the foraging trip, our wildlife and naturalist expert would provide valuable guidance on identifying edible plants and mushrooms, as well as sharing insights into the ecology and natural history of the forest. It's important to note that foraging should always be done responsibly and ethically, with careful attention to conservation and sustainable harvesting practices.

No trip is the same as it depends on weather conditions before the trip to find mushrooms and berries but on most trips you will always discover exciting things in the forest.

Here's what you might find on such a foraging excursion:

Plants:

1. Wild Greens: Look for tender shoots of plants like nettles, dandelion greens, and sorrel, which can be used in salads or cooked as greens.

2. Edible Flowers: Various wildflowers such as violets, elderflowers, and chamomile can add color and flavour to dishes or be used for herbal teas.

3. Berries: Forests in Romania are abundant with berries including wild strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries, which can be enjoyed fresh or used in jams, desserts, or as toppings.

4. Herbs: Fragrant herbs like wild thyme, oregano, and mint grow abundantly and can be used to season dishes or make herbal infusions.

5. Roots and Tubers: Some edible roots and tubers like wild garlic (Allium ursinum) or burdock (Arctium lappa) can be dug up and used in cooking.

Mushrooms:

1. Boletus Mushrooms: Various species of boletus mushrooms, such as porcini (Boletus edulis), grow in the Romanian forests and are highly prized for their flavor and meaty texture.

2. Chanterelles: Golden chanterelles (Cantharellus cibarius) are another prized edible mushroom commonly found in the forests of Romania, often hiding beneath fallen leaves or among mossy logs.

3. Hedgehog Mushrooms: Hedgehog mushrooms (Hydnum repandum) are easily recognizable by their spiky undersides and are delicious when sautéed or added to soups and stews.

Edible Treasures:

1. Wild Garlic: Also known as "bear's garlic" (Allium ursinum), wild garlic grows abundantly in Romanian forests during the spring and has a pungent flavor reminiscent of garlic and onion.

2. Pine Nuts: The seeds of pine cones from certain pine tree species are edible and can be harvested by hand. They have a rich, buttery flavor and are often used in desserts or as a topping for salads.

3. Chestnuts: Some areas in Romania have chestnut trees, and their nuts can be collected in the autumn for roasting or used in various recipes.

Bushcrafting refers to the set of skills and techniques used to thrive and survive in the wilderness. Bushcrafting encompasses various outdoor skills such as shelter building, fire starting, navigation, and crafting tools from natural materials found in the environment.

During the foraging trip, bushcrafting skills could be employed to enhance the experience and ensure safety and comfort in the wilderness. Here's what to expect from this bushcrafting experience.

1. Shelter Building: Participants might learn how to construct temporary shelters using natural materials such as branches, leaves, and moss. This skill could be valuable for creating a comfortable resting place during breaks or in case of unexpected weather changes.

2. Fire Starting: The ability to start a fire without matches or lighters is a fundamental bushcrafting skill. Participants might learn techniques such as using a fire bow drill, flint and steel, or other friction-based methods to ignite tinder and kindling gathered from the forest floor.

3. Navigation: Bushcrafting involves navigating through the wilderness using natural clues such as landmarks, the position of the sun, and the growth patterns of plants. Participants might learn how to read maps and compasses, as well as how to identify signs of direction from the surrounding environment.

4. Tool Crafting: In a bushcrafting context, tools such as knives, axes, and digging implements can be fashioned from materials found in nature, such as wood, stone, and bone. Participants might learn basic carving and shaping techniques to create functional tools for tasks like foraging, food preparation, and shelter building.

5. Wilderness Cooking: Bushcrafting also involves cooking meals using outdoor methods such as campfire cooking, pit roasting, or using improvised stoves made from natural materials. Participants might learn how to prepare and cook foraged ingredients using simple yet effective wilderness cooking techniques.

Overall, bushcrafting enhances the foraging experience by empowering participants with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the natural environment. It fosters a deeper connection to the wilderness and promotes self-reliance, resourcefulness, and appreciation for the natural world.

About Piatra Craiului National Park

With 91000 acres of ancient forests on our doorstep you’ll spend a lot more time outdoors connected to what truly matters. 🌎 Romania holds 65% of Europe’s virgin or old growth forests, untouched by humans, the last places where nature survives in its pure state. Sheltering one of the largest biodiversity of wildlife in Romania, Piatra Craiului National Park is home to over 300 fungi species, 220 lichen species, 100 different mosses, and 1100 species of superior plants (a third of the number of all plant species found in Romania). Wildlife include chamois, wild boar, red and roe deer, pine martens and red squirrels, 216 species of butterfly, 112 species of bird, 21 species of bat and large carnivores - wolf, brown bear and lynx.

What to bring with you:

• Water Bottle

• Sun Block

• Walking Sticks

• Walking Shoes

Also available as a Private Tour for a minimum of 4 people.