Agenda
Overview
Info: What is that mushroom growing beside the path? Is it edible, poisonous, or simply fascinating? Why do mushrooms appear after rain, and where are they the rest of the year?
On this relaxed, hands-on mushroom walk, we'll explore the fungi of Berlin and learn how to actually look at them: their shapes, colours, habitats, smells, textures and other identifying features. We might encounter common edible species, poisonous mushrooms, lookalikes, decomposers and some of the "stranger" members of the fungal kingdom. There will also be some ecology and biology behind what we're seeing — from underground mycelium to spores and the role fungi play in the forest. No previous mushroom knowledge is needed!
Halloween Special
Info: The walk on November 1 will be special. Mushrooms are mysterious creatures and always have been treated as such. Why were mushrooms called witches' butter, witches' rings and witches' eggs? What did people really use fungi for, from Ötzi's medicine kit to the midwife's ergot? We'll walk the forest close to dusk, learn to recognise what we find, and sort the folklore from the history.
This walk will take place in Grunewald. The exact meeting point will be sent in a separate email — it will be accessible by public transport with AB Berlin ticket.
What to expect:
Info: Explore how fungi live, reproduce and interact with trees and the wider ecosystem. Practice looking at mushrooms like a mushroom forager rather than just memorising names. Discover some of the weird, beautiful and unexpected fungi living around Berlin. Ask as many questions as you like — this is a small-group, conversational walk.
About the guide
Info: Dasha (she/her) is a Berlin-based mushroom enthusiast — in addition to being a journalist, a musician, and a poet. She's been foraging for mushrooms, plants, and berries since she was approximately five years old, as it was an old family tradition. She loves sharing her knowledge with others. Her tours combine practical mushroom identification with ecology, observation, and the stories and connections that make the forest such an interesting place. These are small, independent tours designed around curiosity, learning and spending time together in nature with respect and attention. You can learn more about her and see the photos from the previous mushrooming tours on Instagram: @iemdash.
What to bring:
Info: 1. Something to gather mushrooms in, in order of preference: basket / mesh bag / paper bag / cardboard box. Plastic bags are not ideal.
2. A mushroom / folding knife, if you have one. If you only have a normal knife at home, please be mindful of Berlin's Messerverbotszonen and, ideally, don't stab anyone on your way to the forest.
3. Something to take pictures and notes — your phone is perfectly fine!
4. Food / snacks for yourself and, optionally, something to share! People get hungry in the forest very easily. If the weather and time allow, I expect we'll have a small picnic.
Mushroom safety
Info: Please note: this is an educational mushroom walk. Our goal is not to fill our baskets, but to learn to observe, identify and understand the fungi we encounter.
Mushrooms are fascinating, but wild foraging requires care. During the tour, we’ll look at mushrooms in their natural habitats and learn about their identifying characteristics, ecology, and the differences between edible, inedible and poisonous species. Please never eat a wild mushroom based solely on something you learned during the tour. If you decide to eat mushrooms you have collected yourself, please have your finds checked by a qualified Pilzsachverständige.
If you have allergies or sensitivities, please let me know before the tour.
Forest safety
Info: We’ll be walking through a natural forest environment. Please wear sturdy, weather-appropriate shoes and clothing, bring enough water, and don't forget about sunscreen. Tick and insect protection is also recommended.
We’ll walk at a relaxed pace and stay together as a group, but the route is not fully accessible and may include terrain that requires some care.
Weather and forest conditions can change quickly. If conditions make the tour unsafe, I may adapt, postpone or cancel the tour. If I cancel, you will receive a full refund or the option to transfer your ticket to another date. Other than that, the tour will take place in any weather, rain or not. :)
Refund & cancellation policy
Info: Up to 7 days before the event:
You can cancel your booking through the ticketing system. The ticket price is refunded minus any booking and transaction fees incurred through the ticketing platform and payment provider. These fees are costs associated with processing the original booking and are therefore non-refundable.
Less than 7 days before the event:
Tickets are non-refundable. However, you have an option to transfer your ticket to a friend and give your place to someone else. Please contact me with their name and email address so I can update the attendee information.
If I cancel the event:
If I have to cancel a walk because of illness, severe weather, unsafe conditions or other circumstances that make the event impossible to hold, you will receive a full refund or the option to transfer your ticket to another event of mine.
Thank you for understanding that this policy allows me to keep the walks small, independent and financially sustainable.
Event venue & nearby stays
Grunewald, Am Bahnhof Grunewald, Berlin, Germany
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.