Helsinki: Mushroom Hunting Tour in Liesjärvi National Park
Experience the magic of foraging in a Finnish forest with this guided mushroom hunting adventure from Helsinki. As the seasons shift from summer to autumn, Finland’s forests become a treasure trove of edible fungi, bursting with rich colors and earthy aromas. This day tour to Liesjärvi National Park offers the perfect combination of a peaceful hike and an engaging foraging experience, ideal for nature lovers and curious foodies alike.
Begin your day in central Helsinki, where you’ll meet your local guide and set off on a scenic drive to one of Finland’s hidden gems—Liesjärvi National Park. This park is known not only for its pristine landscapes and peaceful atmosphere but also for being one of the best spots near the city for mushroom foraging.
Upon arrival, your guide will introduce you to the forest, provide a short briefing, and equip you with mushroom baskets and knives. Then, it’s time to begin your search. Your guide will lead you to their favorite mushroom-rich areas, where you’ll learn to identify some of Finland’s most delicious wild mushrooms such as golden chanterelles, penny buns, and trumpet chanterelles. These species are relatively easy to identify and highly prized in Finnish cuisine.
Mushroom hunting is a bit of a treasure hunt—sometimes you find a bounty, and other times the forest keeps its secrets. No matter the outcome, your guide will make the experience informative and enjoyable, sharing fascinating details about fungi, the Finnish ecosystem, and traditional foraging culture.
After a couple of hours in the forest, you’ll arrive at a peaceful lakeside spot where a Finnish-style lunch will be prepared over an open fire. If your group has gathered enough mushrooms, you’ll help clean and cook them as part of the meal. The lunch is a hearty, comforting reward for your efforts, followed by dessert and time to relax by the lake.
The adventure continues with a light hike through the forest, taking in more of the scenery and discussing the day’s findings before heading back to the city.
7 hours
- Forage for wild mushrooms with an expert guide
- Learn to identify common edible mushrooms in Finland
- Enjoy a traditional Finnish lunch by a serene lake
- Cook your own freshly picked mushrooms over a campfire (if available)
- Experience the beauty of Finnish autumn in an uncrowded national park
- Perfect for beginners and nature enthusiasts
149 EUR per person
- Round-trip transportation from central Helsinki
- Professional English-speaking wilderness guide
- Mushroom baskets and knives for foraging
- Finnish-style lunch cooked over a fire
- Small group experience for personalized attention
- 9:00 a.m. – Meet your guide in front of the Kiasma Museum (Mannerheiminaukio 1H)
- 9:15 a.m. – Depart Helsinki for Liesjärvi National Park (1.5-hour scenic drive)
- 10:45 a.m. – Arrival at the park and introduction to the day’s activity
- 11:00 a.m. – Mushroom foraging walk with expert instruction (approx. 2 hours)
- 1:00 p.m. – Finnish-style lunch by the lake, with optional cooking of foraged mushrooms
- 2:00 p.m. – Free time to explore, take photos, and enjoy the peaceful surroundings
- 2:30 p.m. – Light hike through the forest to continue the mushroom discussion
- 4:00 p.m. – Return to Helsinki (arrival time may vary slightly)
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A wonderful taste of Finnish foraging culture! The van ride from Helsinki was comfortable, and the park is stunning—so much more serene than the busier national parks. The guide provided all the necessary gear (baskets and knives) and was excellent at keeping the atmosphere relaxed and fun. We found some beautiful penny buns and enjoyed learning about the rules of “Everyman’s Right” in Finland. The food prepared by the guide was excellent, and the foraged mushroom topping made it taste incredibly fresh. A professional, informative, and delicious tour!
Loved this peaceful and engaging day trip to Liesjärvi National Park. The quiet of the forest was restorative, and the activity of mushroom hunting felt like a mindful treasure hunt. The guide was patient, making the identification process easy for beginners. Even though our haul wasn’t huge, the experience of being led to the guide’s “secret” mushroom-rich spots was exciting. The lakeside campfire lunch was hearty and cozy, complete with warm drinks and a sweet dessert. A perfect blend of a gentle hike and a cultural foraging experience!
Absolutely fantastic and a truly unique experience! We went during peak season and were thrilled to find a bounty of golden chanterelles and trumpet chanterelles. Our guide, Jukka, was an expert mycologist who taught us not only how to identify the edible ones but also fascinating facts about the fungi’s role in the Taiga ecosystem. The highlight was definitely cleaning and cooking our freshly foraged mushrooms as part of the delicious Finnish-style lunch prepared over the open fire by the lake. Highly recommend this for an authentic, hands-on, and incredibly rewarding day in the Finnish forest!