Mushrooms and berries in the coastal forest - where, when, how safely
Mushrooms and berries in the coastal forest - where, when, how safely
Autumn at the Baltic Sea is a time of silence, peace and unusual smells. The sea calms down a bit, the days are shorter and the forests around Łeba shimmer with gold, red and deep green. This is when the magical season for mushrooms and the last berries begins. Just a few steps from the beach, you will find yourself in a world full of the scents of moss, pine and damp earth.
Coastal forests - a paradise for mushroom pickers
Few people know that the area Łeby are among some of the most interesting mushroom areas in Pomerania. The pine and mixed forests near the beach, dunes and lakes create a unique microclimate. Mushrooms appear here even when the season is over in other parts of Poland.
Simply set out to Slowinski National Parkto find the perfect places for a walk with a basket. In the vicinity of Nowęcin, Sarbsko or Stilo, you can find boletes, bay boletes, boletus, buttermilk, and in wetter places - orache and chanterelles. The early morning hours are the best time - the air is crisp and the sun's rays gently pierce through the branches.
It is worth remembering that some areas of the park are protected areas where mushroom picking is not allowed. Therefore, it is best to choose forest edges, hiking trails and the vicinity of forest roads - there nature is just as beautiful and picking is completely safe and legal.
Berries and other natural treasures
Although the blueberry season is mainly in summer, early autumn is still a good time to find leftover fruit in sunny clearings. You can also often come across blackberries and cranberries, which are perfect for home preserves.
A walk in the forest in search of berries is not just about picking - it's an excuse to immerse yourself in nature. The soft moss underfoot, the scent of pine trees and the gentle sound of the sea in the distance create a setting that cannot be found anywhere else.
How to collect safely
Mushroom picking at the seaside is a pleasure, but it requires caution. Here are some rules to keep in mind:
- Only pick mushrooms that you know well. If in doubt - leave them in the forest.
- Use a basket, not a plastic bag. The mushrooms 'breathe' and retain their freshness.
- Do not destroy inedible mushrooms. They are an important part of the ecosystem.
- Dress in layers. The autumn forest can be cool and damp.
- Maintain orientation in the area. In the forests near Leba, it's easy to get caught up in the sea and lose the path.
Walking with a basket among the coastal trees is not just collecting - it is a form of meditation. Every step, every smell reminds us that nature has a rhythm and that it is worth slowing down to hear it.
After mushrooming - time to relax
After a successful day in the woods, it is best to return to the Maritime Melting Pot - a place that combines closeness to nature with comfort and warmth. During the autumn months, the hotel becomes a real haven for those seeking peace and quiet. You can warm up in the conservatory, enjoy an aromatic coffee or simply sit by the window and watch the evening fall over the sea.
For guests who bring in their harvest, the chefs at the restaurant "Where Always" often prepare special autumn dishes inspired by the forest. Aromatic mushroom soup, risotto with boletus or pike-perch with chanterelle sauce - these are flavours that perfectly complement a day out in nature.
You don't have to look far - just go downstairs to the restaurant, where the scent of fresh herbs and roasting vegetables creates a truly homely atmosphere. Warming and seasonal dishes reign supreme here in autumn, and the candlelit evening dinners have a special tranquillity about them.
Autumn in the rhythm of nature
A trip to the forest for mushrooms is not just a culinary hunt - it is an encounter with nature at its most beautiful. In the Łeba area, the forest and the sea live side by side in harmony. Sometimes while walking you can hear birds singing and the sound of waves at the same time. In such a place, it is easy to forget about the rush.
Visitors Maritime Melting Pot often say that autumn days here are like therapy - without a watch, without noise, with a mug of warm tea after returning from the forest. This is when you can best feel the spirit of coastal autumn - peaceful, smelling of conifers and wet sand.
What else is worth seeing
Besides mushrooming itself, it is also worth visiting Nature trails around Sarbsko Lakewhich, in autumn, delight in colour. In turn, towards Stilo you can combine a walk in the forest with a visit to the lighthouse - from its terrace you can see the sea, forests and vast fields, and the autumn light gives the view an unusual depth.
For lovers of leisurely activities, Nordic walking on the surrounding trails is also recommended. The trails are flat and well-marked, and the fresh air acts as a natural energy boost.
Autumn in Leba is the perfect time to discover the charms of the coastal forests. All you have to do is take a basket, set off towards the dunes and let yourself be led by the smell of the pines. And on your return - eat something delicious in a restaurant "Where Always" and relax in cosy interiors Maritime Melting Pot.
It is the simple pleasures - a walk in the woods, laughter at the table, the smell of mushrooms in the pan - that create memories you want to return to. Because autumn by the sea has its own flavour. And in Łeba it tastes really special.
