As a child when Autumn came, some of my favorite weekend memories were spent on cold, crisp walks along the local rivers Searching for brambles and foraging my way through in search of the ripest, plumpest blackberries I could find!
One for my basket, one for my mouth. Sticky purple stained hands, evidence of a pure and simple day.
Now, at 40-something and 3 kids in tow, it’s a treasured family activity. Somehow, the simple act of returning to nature, to slow, notice, to forage and to share – it connects us to our inner wilder self, to our environment and to each other.
Spring is often associated to new life in nature, but whilst the Autumn leaves fall so too does new life grow. Autumn is an ancient time for harvesting, and the true richness of our wild landscapes is revelaved – Blackberries, Hawthorns, Sloes, Rosehips, acorns, chestnuts, mushrooms and more.
In Autumn, on our ReWild Child Family Adventures, we often meet in locations where these wild plants thrive. Taking time to notice and connect to our environment, we forage & mindfully collect, then communally cook, simmer, stew or even craft.
The practice itself is grounding and reconnects us to the land and our innate wilder knowing.
Through this post, by sharing some information on foraging for berries in Autumn, I’d like to inspire you to take time in nature this autumn and connect this way with the land.
I’ll include some tips on what, how, things to mindfully consider and of course where!
FORAGING MINDFULLY AND SUSTAINABLY
Before you set off there are a few foraging guidelines to keep in mind to avoid any injury to yourself or the natural habitats you encounter.
PICK WHEN IT IS PLENTIFUL
Only forage from plants that have produced plentifully.
Not only does the the plant itself depend on this to reproduce, but the local ecosystem is delicate and many other living beings rely on this food source or nutrients that drop.
TAKE FROM THE TOP
Never forage for anything lower than your knee.
The lower half of a bush is a great place for a dog or animal to relieve themelsves.
But, most importantly, low hanging fruits are often what wildlife rely on. So, always try to pick berries as high as possible.
SHARE THE LOVE & TAKE ONLY A LITTLE
As well as the natural environment, other foragers might also be out on the trail searching for wild plants.
It’s so easy to over-pick without realising, but by taking just a little from each plant, and only what you need, you can share the love and protect the local ecosystem.
IF IN DOUBT, LEAVE IT OUT
If there is any doubt and you can’t reliably identify something, leave it.
Some plants can make you unwell, and worse still be deadly.
Books and apps can help you with this if you are unsure. My favorite identification apps are Seek, Inaturalist and Gather.
PROTECTED AREAS
Depending on where you go, the local area may have some foraging rules and regulations set my the local ayuntamiento (city hall) and local conservation agency.
Some of the National Parks around Madrid may have regulations is. Oe sections of the parks, depending on the plant being forage.
Be sure to check this out, especially if you are going as a group.
BE PREPARED
Plants are amazing things and often come equipped with their own awesome defense mechanisms – usually in the form of spiky thistles and thorns.
Consider wearing sleeves, gloves and even trousers to protect yourself from nasty scratches or stings. Long sleeves and trousers are also good protection from nasties such as ticks, especially if you’re in thick dense areas.
AUTUMN BERRIES
BLACKBERRIES
Taking me back to my childhood, this is a classic Berry to forage and is always a winner with kids! They are easy to spot, and usually grow in big plentiful clusters!
Our two favorite ways to cook up Blackerries is a sweet blackberry Jam or a tart Blackberry Crumble!
HAWTHORN BERRIES
Hawthorn Berries are vitamin-packed and have historically been used for cardio and heart protection, good digestion and improved blood circulation.
The berries are filled with antioxidants and taste delicious in cordials, syrups and sauces. We recently cooked ours up as a delicious syrup!
The Hawthorn tree is easy to identify – their red berries hang in small clusters, are thin-skinned with a yellow-greenish flesh and contain a small pointed stone inside.
ROSEHIP BERRIES
The Rosehip comes from the Rose tree, of which there are many – but the good news is that they all are edible!
Traditionally, it is better to wait to forage the Rosehip until later in the season, when they soften and have more juicy liquid when you cook them. However, if you pick them and freeze them prior to using, this softens the berry giving it more juice for cooking.
The Rosehip contains a number of seeds, surrounded by small itchy hairs inside. Removing the seeds can be tricky, but if you are simmering and straining, you need not bother.
Rosehill is High in Vitamin C so the most common thing to do with Rosehips, is make a syrup – which can be used, for example as a simple cordial. We often mix Rosehips with our Hawthorns this way!
SLOE BERRIES
Sloes are the fruit of the blackthorn tree. Their plump purple fruits hanging from the spikey stems of its bushes. Sloes can identified by their deep purple outer colour and greeny-yellow inner flesh.
The Sloe Berry is quite new to me, but boy have we had fun discovering it!
Eaten raw from the tree, sloes have an intense bitter and astringent taste. So tart that it can dry out your mouth! Experimenting with these is a huge form of fun and entertainment for us as a family!
The sloe is (apparently) more delicious when preserved, or used in a jelly for example.
LOCATIONS
Valsaín – La Boca del Asno – Navacerrada.
This area is a natural wonder and worth a visit in all seasons. There are slight variations of trails that run all the way from Valsain to Navacerrada.
The routes largely follow the Rio Eresma and offers lots of small waterfalls and pools to enjoy in warmer weather.
In Late summer – Autumn the trail is litterered with Bramble Bushes bursting with clusters of rich purple blackberries.
The area has good facilities with la Boco del Asno having a visitor center, café and toilet and Los Asientos having a toilet and a well equipped recreational area and children’s park.
Both areas have plenty of parking making this a great family location.
PARKING LA BOCA DEL ASNO – https://maps.app.goo.gl/p2y6ZujwA3SexEVKA?g_st=ia
PARKING LOS ASIENTOS https://maps.app.goo.gl/wsu6ssRRTDxZEx1r5?g_st=ia \
Abuedar de Canencia – Senda Ecologica de Canencia.
Abuedar de Canencia is a large, wonderful and well equipped recreational area. The immediate surroundings are mostly pines, but if you venture slightly away from the car parks, you can find a great number of broadleaf tress and hollies.
You can forage blackberries in some of the surrounding woods, if you head out of the fenced and main pine areas within the recreaeational area.
Alternatively the Senda del arroyo, Sestil del Maíllo stream & de la Ladera de Mojonovalle also offers a lovely family trail, passing the Chorrera de Mojonavalle, and chances to search for and collect berries along the way.
PARKING – https://maps.app.goo.gl/8JApJf25o2PPbPVL6?g_st=ia
Navacerrada – Mirador natural embalse de Navacerrada
I am sure there are small paths and nooks and crannies all around Navacerrada where you can forage for all kinds of berries. The ecology in the area is diverse, green and abundantfull.
If you are in, or passing through the village and aren’t looking for a long trail walk, there is an area of forest to the North of Navacerrada that has a large scattering of blackberry bushes and makes of a nice brief walk with kids – spending time noting the nature and views while foraging for a few black berries.
There is a trail leading to Mirador natural embalse de Navacerrada, from Restaurant la Fonda Real. The paths splits, one taking a north route to Mirador natural embalse de Navacerrada and a southern smaller path down to the man road (Carretara de Colmenar Viejo), exiting at Hotel Hita. Both paths offer a great option and are very short easy pit stops, making a great way to end a day in the village, or breaking up a passing journey.
Restaurant la Fonda Real. https://maps.app.goo.gl/DT31pnASZ5syN46s7
Hotel Hita https://maps.app.goo.gl/19UQxwcSSRvdebnZ9?g_st=ia
Mirador natural embalse de Navacerrada https://maps.app.goo.gl/JMAQdLtM15XGEVvn6?g_st=ia
Becerro de la Sierra – Ruta de la Romería – Raso de los Enebros
Starting and ending at Iglesia San Andres, this circular path is about 3-4km, is flat and mostly gravel, so this short easy loop is a great family walk.
To access the path, from Iglesia San Andres, head down C.de la Fragua hooking from there onto the gravel country path and into the fields. This path eventually joins C. De las Arenas and eventually the main road (Av. De Jose Antonio), ultimately returning you to your starting point.
Depending on the time of year you visit, the vegetation is great and there is often a number of wildlife to be spotted. The path edges are scattered with bramble bushes easily accessible from the path.
Church of San Andres https://maps.app.goo.gl/vrDCr86PofnUTcaV9?g_st=ia
Embalse de Navalmedio.
Another hidden gem of a location, and if you are looking for a bit of variety of your berry foraging – this is your place!
There are a number of trail variations along the way, and extensions can be made depending on how long/far you want to walk. However, you don’t have to walk far or look hard to leave wth a nice selection of berries here.
On our walk, we foraged Blackberries, Hawthorn and Rosehips
Parking is along a dirt track at Embalse de Navalmedio. Here, instead of taking the walking path at the very end of the dirt road, take the cattle gate on the right, just before. This trail takes you along a path a little further from the river and is easy to follow.
Although there is a walking path to follow, a lot of the Hawthorns are slightly off path, so feel free to wander into the bushes and explore – you can always easily make your way back to the river and path.
PARKING https://maps.app.goo.gl/NWbJTAFGRKnaVVbFA
Hopefully after reading, you’ll feel inspired to grab your kids, your boots and your basket and get out into the wild for a foraging walk.
What is your favourite berry to forage and why?
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