Seasonal Highlights: Berry picking

Latest Update

The hills and forests of the Apuseni are turning sweet again - it’s berry season! From deep blue bilberries to bright red raspberries, the woods invite you to slow down, wander the trails, and taste nature’s gifts right where they grow. Gathering wild fruits isn’t just a treat for the palate - it’s a quiet adventure, full of color, scent, and childhood memories.

Overview

Wandering through the Apuseni forests in summer and early autumn is like stepping into a natural pantry - one filled with colors, aromas, and sweet rewards. From the deep-blue blueberries (afine) to the ruby-red raspberries (zmeură) and the tiny, fragrant wild strawberries (căpșuni de pădure), every handful tells the story of pure mountain air and untouched nature. It’s not just about the taste - it’s about slowing down, listening to the forest, and feeling the joy of gathering what the land offers with kindness and gratitude.

Highlights

• Bilberries (Afine) – tiny, deep blue gems rich in flavor and antioxidants.
• Raspberries (Zmeură) – soft, fragrant, and perfectly sweet after a summer rain.
• Currants (Coacăze) – vibrant red or black berries bursting with tangy freshness.
• Blackberries (Mure) – juicy forest treasures found along sunny paths and fences.
• Wild Strawberries (Căpșuni de pădure) – small, intensely aromatic, and pure delight.
• Cornelian Cherries (Coarne) – bright red and tart, excellent for jams or syrups.
• Woodland Strawberries (Fragii) – the forest’s most delicate flavor, loved by children.
• Rosehips (Măceșe) – full of vitamin C, perfect for tea or jam in autumn.
• Elderberries and Flowers (Socul) – blossoms for syrup, berries for sweet preserves.
• Sloe Berries (Porumbele) – small, bluish, and a little tart, best after the first frost.
• Lingonberries / Cowberries (Merișorul) – rare mountain berries, tart and refreshing.

In More Detail

The Apuseni forests offer a natural feast from June to October, each month bringing a new color to the landscape. In early summer, wild strawberries and raspberries cover the sunny slopes, while in midsummer bilberries and blackberries fill the mossy clearings with sweetness.
By late summer and early autumn, the roadsides glow with rosehips, currants, and cornelian cherries, and the forest edges turn into a vibrant mix of reds and purples.

These wild fruits grow best in clean, high-altitude forests and sunlit clearings near beech and fir trees. Picking them is simple - no tools needed, just a light touch and patience. Bring a basket or small container to avoid crushing them and enjoy the peace of walking through the forest, guided by the scent of ripe berries.

Key Information

• Bilberries (Afine): Found in mountain clearings and along forest trails, July–August. Sweet, rich in vitamins.
• Raspberries (Zmeură): Grow on sunny slopes and forest edges, June–September. Perfectly fragrant.
• Currants (Coacăze): Found in cooler, shaded areas; red and black varieties, July–August. Great for jams.
• Blackberries (Mure): Common on hillsides and fences, August–September. Juicy and aromatic.
• Wild Strawberries (Căpșuni de pădure): Appear in June–July, small but intensely flavored.
• Cornelian Cherries (Coarne): Ripen in August–September; tart, used for syrup or liqueur.
• Woodland Strawberries (Fragii): Delicate and sweet, grow in grassy clearings, June–July.
• Rosehips (Măceșe): Collected in autumn, rich in vitamin C, great for tea and jam.
• Elderberries / Flowers (Socul): Flowers in May–June for syrup, berries later in August–September.
• Sloe Berries (Porumbele): Ripen after the first frost, good for homemade wine or jam.
• Lingonberries (Merișorul): Found in high mountain areas, rare and prized for their tart taste.

“Hidden among the moss and pines, the wild blueberries (afine) shine like tiny forest gems - sweet, tangy, and full of mountain magic.”

Timeline

1. May–June: Elderflowers, wild strawberries, raspberries.
2. July–August: Bilberries, blackberries, currants, woodland strawberries.
3. August–September: Cornelian cherries, lingonberries, rosehips.
4. October: Sloe berries and the last rosehips - the final flavors before winter.

Supporting Details

When you go berry picking, take your time - the joy is not only in the fruit but in the walk itself.Use a basket or cloth bag, not plastic, so the berries stay fresh and can breathe.If you’re bringing children, turn the day into a game of discovery - teach them to recognize the fruits, their colors, and their scents.And if you’re unsure about what you’ve found, visit the local villagers, who often sell freshly picked forest berries by the road, full of mountain flavor and tradition.

Looking Ahead

Each summer and autumn, the Apuseni become a living pantry of nature’s sweetness. Whether you return with your hands stained in berry juice or just your heart full of forest calm, the memory lingers - the laughter, the sunlight through the trees, the taste of something wild and pure.Next time you visit, take a basket, follow the forest paths, and let the mountain show you its sweetest secrets.