In Catalonia, going mushroom hunting (anar a bolets) is almost an autumn ritual, and the Solsonès and Berguedà are two of the best-loved areas for it: mid-mountain pine and oak woods, villages with a long mushroom tradition and restaurants that fill their menus with rovellons (saffron milk caps), ceps and camagrocs. This route covers them in four nights, from Solsona's old town to the source of the Llobregat.
You collect the motorhome on the afternoon of day 1 and return it on the morning of day 5. In October, mid season, the minimum rental is 4 days, exactly what this route needs; in November, low season, 3 days is enough. Mushroom season usually runs from October to November, but it depends on the rain: after a good soaking and no frost, the woods respond.
Route plan
Route map
Tap a day or a stop to see it on the map, or press "Follow the route" to travel it stage by stage.
Approximate line between stops, not a navigation itinerary. Check road conditions and restrictions for large vehicles before you set off.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 · Pick-up and a short leg to Solsona
You collect the motorhome between 16:00 and 19:00 in Les Franqueses del Vallès and, after the handover, follow the C-17 to Vic, the Eix Transversal towards Manresa and the C-55 via Cardona. In a little over an hour and a half you reach Solsona. Spend the night at a campsite or authorised area and, if you arrive in time, stroll through the floodlit old town and ask in a bar how the season is going: everyone here has an opinion.
Day 2 · Solsona, Vall de Lord and Port del Comte
In the morning, Solsona: the cathedral, home to the Mare de Déu del Claustre, the Diocesan and County Museum and streets entered through the gates of the old walls. Then climb to Sant Llorenç de Morunys, the main town of the Vall de Lord, beside the Llosa del Cavall reservoir. The woods rising towards Port del Comte are classic country for saffron milk caps and ceps. Walk the waymarked paths, respect private land and sleep in the Vall de Lord.
Day 3 · Berga and the Santuari de Queralt
Head down to Berga on the mountain road or, more comfortably, back via Solsona and the C-26. Berga is the home of the Patum festival, with a lively old town and many restaurants offering mushroom dishes or set menus in autumn. Drive up to the Santuari de Queralt, perched above the town: the viewpoint takes in the Berguedà, Montserrat and the Pedraforca. A good moment to taste mushrooms cooked by people who know them. Sleep near Berga.
Day 4 · Bagà, Castellar de n'Hug and Fonts del Llobregat
Take the C-16 north to Bagà, a medieval town with an arcaded square at the gateway to the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park; for a detour, Gósol, beneath the Pedraforca, is around 40 minutes away on a narrow road. Continue via La Pobla de Lillet to hilltop Castellar de n'Hug and walk down to the Fonts del Llobregat, where the river rises. Sleep near Castellar or Bagà: on the morning of day 5, about two hours on the C-16 brings you back for the return, between 9:00 and 12:00.
Where to sleep
Solsona, the Vall de Lord, Berga and the Bagà area have campsites, and some towns have authorised motorhome areas. In November several mountain campsites cut their opening days or close, so check first. Park4Night or Campercontact help you find areas and water points.
You may park wherever any vehicle may park, as long as you are not camping: no awning, chairs or levelling chocks, and no emptying of waste water. Wild camping is not permitted in Catalonia, and sleeping on forest tracks or at a farm gate to start picking at dawn is not a good idea: sleep in town and walk up, or drive to a proper car park.
Where to sleep with a motorhome in Catalonia
Practical tips
- Only pick mushrooms you can identify with total certainty and never eat one you have not identified. If you cannot tell them apart, the best option is to taste them in local restaurants.
- Many woods are private and some areas regulate or charge for picking: respect signs and landowners, and ask at the local tourist offices.
- Use a wicker basket, so spores fall back to the ground, and a knife; cut the stem, do not pull or rake the soil, and keep quantities small.
- In the motorhome kitchen, saffron milk caps are excellent on the griddle with garlic, parsley, olive oil and salt. Never light a fire in the woods. For kit ideas, see our motorhome packing guide.
- Clean mushrooms with a brush or cloth, store them in paper or the basket, never in plastic bags, and keep them in the 78 L fridge.
- The route is about 450 km in four days: with the 300 km a day included in Segimon Rental's 3 to 6-day rentals, you have plenty of room for detours such as Gósol.
Frequently asked questions
When is mushroom season in the Solsonès and Berguedà?
Usually from late September to November, peaking in October. It all depends on rain and temperature: after a few rainy days and no frost, the woods tend to produce; in a dry year the season can be very poor.
Can you pick mushrooms in any forest in Catalonia?
Not everywhere. Many woods are privately owned and some areas have regulated or paid picking. Respect signs and owners, take small amounts with a basket and knife, and never drive the motorhome off the roads.
How many days do you need for this mushroom route by motorhome?
Four nights, as here, in October, when the minimum rental is 4 days. In November, with a 3-day minimum, you can merge days 3 and 4. And if autumn has you hooked, see our autumn route through Ordesa and Irati.
