With the arrival of autumn, the passion for mushroom hunting is rekindled in southern Spain. In the mountains of Jaén province, the long-awaited mushroom picking season begins, attracting not only locals but visitors from across the country. Among dense pine forests and fast-flowing mountain rivers, true mushroom treasures can be found.
Mushroom foragers pay special attention to the Parque Natural Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas. This is Spain’s largest nature reserve, stretching over more than 200,000 hectares. The Guadalquivir and Segura rivers originate here, and around 1,400 species of mushrooms can be found in the forests. Among the three mountain ranges, the Sierra de Segura stands out: at elevations above 1,000 meters, humidity and organic matter create ideal conditions for mushrooms to thrive.
Every autumn, people come here not just for the harvest but for the atmosphere: themed festivals take place in Siles, and at the information center “El Sequero” you can learn about new routes and picking regulations. For those seeking the best spots, there are local landmarks: La Capellanía in the Hornos area, the Río Madera valley, Los Anchos, La Venta Rampias, and Prado Maguillo near Santiago-Pontones. Don’t forget about the Las Acebeas road and the trail to El Puntal from Siles.
On the Campos de Hernán Perea plateau, which can be accessed from Don Domingo or via the Vadillo-Castril and Rambla Seca route, you can find cardoon mushrooms and rare species of meadow mushrooms. In the Cazorla area, popular spots include Riogazas, the Monasterio de Montesión, the arroyo del Cerezuelo stream, and the trail from the puente de las Herrerías bridge to Vadillo-Castril, as well as Pino de las Tres Cruces and Tornillos de Gualay. In Las Villas, mushroom gatherers recommend places like the fuente de los Cerezos spring, cueva del Peinero cave, embalse del Aguascebas reservoir, Gil Cobo, and La Osera—these locations usually have fewer people.
Baskets can be filled with a variety of delicacies: saffron milk caps, honey mushrooms, cardoon mushrooms, field mushrooms, black boletus, parasol mushrooms, russula, morels, and even royal amanita. But the main rule is to collect mushrooms carefully: use a knife, pick only species you know, do not uproot the roots, avoid gathering near roads, and always leave part of the crop for regeneration. After all, the real value of these places lies not only in full baskets, but in preserving the unique nature that makes this corner of Andalusia so special for all mushroom enthusiasts.
