We are committed to the environment and work towards sustainable tourism.
That is why we are taking measures in this direction. More information
- Using the exhibition resources available, the guides at the Museum of Nature are true experts who convey, in a fun and engaging way, the key insights needed to better understand the ecosystems found in the municipality, the region, and the Central System.
- Knowledge of the biodiversity of these protected areas, with special attention to key species such as the imperial eagle and the black vulture, as well as their current conservation status and threats.
- Required visitor behavior in these protected areas under the premise that you should leave no trace of your visit. It is imperative to remove all waste generated
—Including organic waste
—Or any litter found along the way when visiting these sites or any other natural environment.
- Positive aspects visitors can enjoy by avoiding these areas during peak periods (holidays, long weekends). The tranquility and silence of visiting these protected areas in small groups fosters a greater sense of connection with nature and minimizes the impact of human presence. It is a way to balance out the seasonal influx of visitors to rural areas, their surroundings, and their villages by encouraging visits outside peak demand periods.
- Additionally, we promote and encourage visits to the production facilities of the most cutting
-Edge local gastronomic initiatives, which have won prestigious international awards and fully complement the experience of visiting the museum and the town of El Barraco, notably the Don Juan del Águila Winery (Cebreros PDO), the Raíz Cuadrada Craft Brewery, and the Elvira García Cheese Factory.
Open map El Barraco, Barraco (El) (Ávila), España
Come discover the fascinating Kingdom of Mushrooms at El Barraco.
This activity is one of the nature outings offered since the Nature Museum first opened, with over 16 years of experience organizing mycological workshops and excursions.
Participants receive a brief overview of the fungal kingdom and learn the proper way to collect specimens.
As we walk through the countryside, each participant collects the mushrooms they find in their basket, with the support and advice of the guide.
Once the foraging is complete, a mycology workshop is held right there in the field, led by the guide, to identify, classify, and explain the specimens found. The characteristics of each group are explained; the mushrooms are handled, smelled, and broken apart to learn their distinguishing features. Special attention is given to distinguishing edible mushrooms from poisonous ones, highlighting their fundamental differences.
Basic concepts are provided to learn how to photograph mushrooms in the most educational way possible, facilitating their subsequent identification.
As a reward, the most diligent ?students,? always under the instructor?s final supervision, will be able to take home the edible specimens they have collected and wish to taste, along with some recommendations for the best culinary recipes.
Activity details
- The activity takes place in the mountains surrounding the town of El Barraco, Ávila. On rare occasions, it may take place in the Iruelas Valley (within the municipality of El Barraco).
- Minimum group size of 10 people (1st reservation) and maximum of 30 people.
- If there is already an initial group serving as the first reservation that meets the minimum capacity requirement, individual spots may be reserved until the maximum capacity is reached.
Prices
- Adults and children ages 6 and older: €5 per person.
Timetable
YOU MUST MAKE YOUR RESERVATION ONLINE AT LEAST 8 DAYS IN ADVANCE.
The following time slots are available from Tuesday through Sunday:
MORNING SESSION: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
AFTERNOON SESSION: 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM
- After selecting a date, the Booking Panel automatically displays available times when you click the BOOK button.
- The museum is closed on Mondays, except for certain holidays; please contact us for details.
- These outings are only held during the fall, depending on the environmental conditions that determine the seasonal forest mushroom harvest.
- Special tours may be offered for spring mushroom picking in May, when forest production is much lower.
The price includes
- A trained guide and instructor with a degree in biology who will teach participants the proper methods for collecting and identifying the mushroom species encountered, while also providing explanations about the natural heritage of the area, which is essential for understanding the mycological context of the ecosystem itself.
- On-site mycology workshop, expertly led by the guide to classify, identify, and learn to differentiate the groups and species of fungi to which each mushroom belongs, particularly toxic and edible ones
- Necessary permits required for the educational group mushroom-picking activity.
- Participants may take home the edible mushrooms they have collected, with a guarantee of edibility, under the supervision of the activity guide, provided that the area is not restricted.
- If the activity takes place in a restricted area with regulated mushroom harvesting, each participant must obtain the necessary harvesting permit in advance to be able to take the quantity of edible mushrooms allowed by that license. The cost of this permit is not included in the price of this activity and must be paid for personally by each participant.
Unless there are exceptional events or circumstances, priority is given to conducting this activity in unregulated areas.
- You may contact us with any questions.
Do not forget
- Please wear weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable footwear suitable for walking in the countryside.
- You must bring your own basket and knife to help disperse spores and ensure mushrooms are harvested properly without damaging the mycelium.
- Any unusable mycological material collected will be scattered throughout the woods at the end of the activity to promote spore dispersal.
- You may bring a small snack to eat and drink during the activity.
- Each participant is responsible for taking all generated waste with them for subsequent disposal in the appropriate containers/trash cans provided in the urban area.
- This outing, with some exceptions, takes place along part of the Monte Encinar Mycological Trail, with the meeting point located at the town?s recycling center. The tour ends at the same starting point (round trip).
- Participants are responsible for their own transportation to the meeting and starting point.
- Pets are not allowed on this activity for several reasons: We aim to fully enjoy the surroundings, such as spotting or hearing wildlife in addition to the activity itself, which is not compatible with the presence of domestic animals; we will be passing through areas with free-roaming livestock; and young children are participating who may be afraid of dogs.
More information
- The landscapes and surroundings you?ll explore can be visually stunning. In addition, this activity provides an opportunity to photograph the mushroom species you find and identify, so we recommend bringing a camera. If you?re not an amateur photographer, your cell phone camera will do just fine.
- We?d be very grateful if you shared your experience on social media.
Instructions when buying a gift voucher
Our gift certificates are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase and can be redeemed on any date within this period when availability exists. After this time, the gift certificate will no longer be valid and will be void.
Upon purchase, you will receive the gift certificate with a redemption code via email, which you can forward as a gift (without the amount shown) with a personalized message to the person of your choice.
Gift voucher redemption instructions
- To redeem the voucher, go to the WEB SALES DASHBOARD and select the experience associated with your gift voucher at the following link: https://museobarraco.com/panel-de-ventas-museo-de-la-naturaleza/
- Once you are on the booking page for your experience?in this case, MICOLÓGICA FIELD TRIP?click the "REDEEM" tab to enter the redemption code shown on the voucher. The system will display the available times for the date you select.
Approximate duration
Between two and a half and three hours.
Available languages guide
Spanish
Contact
For more information, please contact the museum:
Phone: 920 281 285
WhatsApp: 689 320 955
Email: museodelanaturaleza@museoelbarraco.org
Booking conditions
Full payment is due at the time of booking, in accordance with the rates.
Cancellation policy
Cancellations will be accepted under the following conditions:
- A full refund will be issued for cancellations made at least 48 hours before the booked date and time.
- The full payment will be forfeited for cancellations made less than 48 hours before the booked date and time, or if you fail to attend on the booked date and time.
- Partial cancellations (cancellation of some of the booked places) will be subject to the same time limits for cancellations as described above.
- A 100% refund of the booking fee will be given if the activity is cancelled due to adverse weather conditions, for internal reasons at the museum, or due to force majeure.