Mushrooms from the Savona hinterland: where to pick them and how to eat them

When autumn colors the woods of the Ligurian Apennines, the Savona hinterland becomes a perfect destination for those seeking porcini mushrooms, chanterelles, and chestnut mushrooms. From the valleys of Sassello, Mioglia, and Pontinvrea to the upper Valbormida di Bardineto, the season combines hikes, stone villages, festivals, and traditional dishes. Before filling your basket, however, clear rules, caution, and careful inspection of the mushrooms you've picked are essential.

When is the harvest season?

In Liguria, mushroom picking can last much of the year, but in the Savona hinterland, the most anticipated time is autumn, particularly between September and October. After regular rainfall and mild days, the chestnut, oak, and beech forests can yield excellent harvests of porcini and chanterelle mushrooms.

The best months

• June–August: first summer outings in the cooler woods, paying attention to early-ripening species.

• September–October: the main season for porcini mushrooms and chanterelles, especially after rains followed by mild temperatures.

• October–November: Chestnut and beech groves, with harvests varying depending on weather, altitude, and humidity.

What determines a good season

Ideal conditions arise from alternating rain and sun, well-moistened soil, and moderate temperatures. Altitude and slope exposure also influence the presence of mushrooms: the Apennine areas, cooler and more humid, are often the most productive.

Where to look for mushrooms in the Savona area

The Savona hinterland offers mixed forests, chestnut groves, and beech forests, ideal for mushroom hunting. Among the best-known locations for mushroom hunters are Sassello, Mioglia, Pontinvrea, Piampaludo, Urbe, and Bardineto, in the upper Bormida Valley.

Sassello, Mioglia and Pontinvrea

Sassello is one of the Savona area's historic mushroom-hunting destinations, easily accessible from the coast and surrounded by woodlands perfect for autumn hikes. Mioglia and Pontinvrea are often cited as among the most productive areas of the Savona Apennines during the favorable seasons.

Piampaludo, Urbe and the woods of Deiva

Piampaludo, Urbe, and the Deiva woods combine chestnut and oak groves with mountain views. These areas are also ideal for those who want to transform mushroom hunting into a full day exploring nature, villages, and local produce.

Rules and responsible collection

Mushroom picking is an activity that must be practiced with respect for the forest and in compliance with regional regulations. In Liguria, the general limit is 3 kg per person per day ; for Amanita caesarea , the limit is 1 kg , while honey mushrooms are not included in the count.

Before leaving

• Check whether the area requires a consortium or management body card : in consortium areas, collection is generally subject to purchase.

• It provides information on any closures, prohibited days, or municipal regulations: in Calizzano and Bardineto, for example, collection is prohibited on Wednesdays.

• Collect only from dawn to dusk: night hunting is prohibited.

• Do not collect in protected areas, private woods or restricted areas without authorization.

How to harvest the right way

• Use a wicker basket or a perforated box , never plastic bags or closed containers

• Do not use rakes, hooks or tools that could damage the soil and mycelium

• Collect only specimens that you know for certain

• If you have any doubts, leave the mushroom in the woods or have it checked by a mycologist or a competent service.

Villages and festivals to experience

Mushroom season is also an opportunity to explore the inland villages, with their squares, trattorias, markets, and events dedicated to these forest produce. Bardineto is the main hub, but Sassello and the villages in the Savona valleys are also excellent bases for an autumn weekend.

The National Golden Mushroom Festival in Bardineto

In 2026, the National Golden Mushroom Festival took place in Bardineto on Saturday, September 19th, and Sunday, September 20th , now in its 41st year. The event celebrates the porcini mushroom with tastings, traditional dishes, music, and activities in the village, and is included among the Authentic Ligurian Events.

A typical weekend in the hinterland

• Morning: Hike in the woods of Sassello, Mioglia, Pontinvrea, or Bardineto.

• Lunch: trattoria or festival with mushrooms, meat, cheeses, and local wines.

• Afternoon: Visit the village, walk through the chestnut groves and admire the Apennine panorama.

• Dinner: Mushroom-based dishes, preferably supervised and prepared by local experts.

How to eat them: Ligurian recipes

Mushrooms from the Savona hinterland lend themselves to simple yet hearty dishes: fried, sautéed, in soups, or as a topping for pasta, polenta, and gnocchi. In the Bormida Valley, a specialty worth trying is bacilli , potato gnocchi served with a red mushroom sauce.

Fried mushrooms

Cleaned mushrooms, dipped in egg and flour, then fried and salted. A crunchy and fragrant appetizer, perfect for starting a fall dinner.

Tagliatelle or gnocchi with mushrooms

Fresh pasta topped with sautéed mushrooms, garlic, parsley, and, if desired, a light cream. It's one of the simplest ways to enhance porcini and chanterelle mushrooms.

Bacialli with mushroom sauce

A typical dish from the Bormida Valley: potato gnocchi made with a little flour, served with a red mushroom sauce. A dish that speaks to rural tradition and the connection with the forest.

Mushroom and chestnut soup

For cooler evenings, a soup with mushrooms, potatoes, onions, vegetable broth, and, if available, chestnuts. A humble dish, but very representative of the Ligurian autumn.

Before you go: the reminder

• Check weather, trails, and local regulations.

• Bring hiking shoes, water, light food, and a charged phone.

• Always use an open, breathable container.

• Respect the limit of 3 kg per person per day.

• Never consume mushrooms that have not been clearly identified.