Mushroom Hunting in Belgium: What's Allowed, Where, and How to Stay Safe

Autumn is mushroom season. After a few days of rain they pop up everywhere: red fly agarics with white spots, brown ceps, small bracket fungi on a tree stump. Going on a mushroom hunt is one of the best autumn activities. But are you allowed to take them home? And how do you do it safely?

When is mushroom season?

The peak season runs from September to November. The best moments are a few days after plenty of rain, while it's still mild. After the first night frost, many species disappear again.

Mushrooms are actually only a small part of the fungus. Most of it lives invisibly underground as a network of threads, often working together with the roots of trees. What you see is really the "fruit".

Can you pick mushrooms in Belgium?

That depends on where you are.

Flanders and Brussels: no picking

In Flanders and the Brussels region, picking mushrooms is prohibited. Looking and photographing is of course always allowed.

Wallonia: under conditions

In Wallonia, picking is allowed under conditions:

• you need permission from the owner of the forest. In forests owned by the Walloon Region (state forests), this permission is generally granted;
• you may take a maximum of one 10-litre bucket per person per day;
• in state forests you may only pick between sunrise and sunset;
• in municipal forests, picking is sometimes reserved for residents. Ask the municipality or the tourist office;
• picking for sale is not allowed;
• it's prohibited in nature reserves and for protected species;
• in the Walloon part of the Sonian Forest, picking is prohibited.

Safety first: never eat what you don't know 100%

Belgium is also home to highly poisonous mushrooms, including species that can be deadly. Some look very similar to edible species. Therefore:

• Never eat a mushroom you have even the slightest doubt about.
• Don't rely on an app to decide whether something is edible. Apps are useful for learning and identifying, but they make mistakes.
• Learn from an expert: join a guided mushroom walk or take a course.
• Suspect poisoning? Immediately call the Belgian Poison Centre: 070 245 245 (free, day and night). If possible, keep a leftover piece or a photo of the mushroom.

Tips for a great mushroom walk

1. Photograph instead of picking. Get down to eye level for the best photos. A photo of the underside, with gills or pores, helps with identification later.
2. Use an app to learn. With the free ObsIdentify app you can have a photo identified and submit your observation. That helps scientists track where species occur.
3. Look everywhere: on the ground, on stumps, on dead wood, in grassland and even on dung.
4. Stay on the paths. That protects the underground network and the small plants.
5. Picking in Wallonia? Cut the mushroom at the base of the stem with a small knife and use a basket instead of a plastic bag, so they don't sweat.
6. Leave plenty behind. Mushrooms spread spores and are food for insects, slugs and squirrels.

Where can you find lots of mushrooms?

Old forests with plenty of dead wood and a mix of tree species are the richest. Good places include the Sonian Forest, the forests of the Campine, the Meerdaal Forest and of course the Ardennes. In autumn, nature organisations all over the country organise guided mushroom walks. Check their calendars for a walk near you.

Dress for the forest

You look for mushrooms at ground level, so you'll often be kneeling or crouching on damp forest floor. Clothes that can handle a bit of mud, sturdy shoes and a warm layer for cold mornings are no luxury.

Frequently asked questions

Can you pick mushrooms in Flanders?

No, picking mushrooms is prohibited in Flanders and Brussels. In Wallonia it's allowed under conditions, with a maximum of one 10-litre bucket per person per day.

When is the best time to look for mushrooms?

From September to November, a few days after rain and in mild weather.

What should you do if you suspect mushroom poisoning?

Immediately call the Poison Centre on 070 245 245. Don't wait for symptoms: with some dangerous species, they only appear after many hours.

The forest in your wardrobe

Our Forest, Mushroom & Wildflower collection features designs like the Forest Floor Hoodie with mushrooms on the forest floor, the Still Roots Shirt with a mushroom among wildflowers and the Fall Creek Sweatshirt with a waterfall in the forest.