Porcini hunting in July (Alps)

Porcini in July? Unlikely.
September/October is the season.
There are plenty of online forums and also Facebook groups. Just Google FUNGHI PORCINI FORUM or GRUPPO and see what comes up. Sorry I can't help for Northern Italy. Just know that 'fungaioli' (mushroom hunters) don't share precious info on the location too easily.

Hi, I live in the Alps in the province of Brescia on the border with Trentino and an a keen mushroom hunter.... Mushrooms, including Porcini, are unpredictable. The weather is the main variable, not just in one particular week but also in the previous weeks. Even in an area which is normally good for mushrooms if it's dry and windy there might not be any mushrooms. There are sometimes mushrooms in July, often in August and usually in September. October depends on the place and altitude. It might be too cold then. To be reasonably "sure" to find porcini, in my opinion, you would need to stay in an appropriate place for two or three weeks in September. But if it's very dry they might not appear. This is the fascination with looking for mushrooms........

Thank you so much for the info! It was mentioned on the hotel Miramonti website that porcini’s are often found in July so that’s why I got excited to try. Do you know of any travel foraging companies that take out clients? Would love to do a cooking class and a forage for any kind of mushroom in the Brescia region. 🍄

🍄

Hopefully not that kind 😂

Mushroom hunters must have a permit in some areas. At the very least you'll find some dried porcini in local shops to bring back with you. They are allowed by US Customs and add wonderful taste to a variety of dishes - like a mushroom risotto. It's close to an oxymoron, but try to buy and use the freshest dried mushrooms.

Oh yes, not this kind for sure! (🍄)!

Regarding permits, yes, great advice. I’ll seek out a daily one and find hopefully a kind guide to take me out. I know mushroom spots are heavily guarded areas but I’m the kind of forager that shares the wealth over here in BC. I love taking people out to find mushrooms.

Where are you planning on staying? I see there are several Hotel Miramonti....
Sometimes tourist offices organize trips out with mushroom experts to look for mushrooms, especially in August, which is the main holiday month for Italians. This sort of excursion isn't specifically to find porcini, but to learn something about mushrooms in general and which are edible.
Yes, you will probably need a permit, but in most places you can buy a daily one, once again the tourist office will tell you. If you want to go out specifically for porcini, your best bet is to ask your accommodation provider and see if they know somebody. Mushroom hunters are wary of any "competition" for the places they know - a tourist who probably won't come back isn't going to be a threat!

Hi Tinac,

I was hoping to stay in Bormio, Brescia, anywhere that I can go out in the woods for a daytrip to forage. I've seen only one Youtube video about a foraging class that teaches you to find porcini in Emilia Romagna and then cook them into a pasta, but the video had incorrect spelling for the foraging website and I haven't managed to find it! I'm so frustrated. Will call the Hotel Miramonti in Bolzana to ask who they know :)

Hi Chelsea
Bormio sounds hopeful, not far from where I live so probably similar mushroom conditions.
I expect your hotel can suggest somebody. Or there's the tourist information centre:https://www.bormio.eu/en/experiences-in-bormio
Try asking them.
In the area where I live the tourist information centre organises mushrooming trips in August. If all else fails contact me by Private message ...
Ciao