Lost in a Storm? Croatian App Keeps Foragers on Track

A mushroom forager in Croatia’s Gorski kotar region recently lost his way during a sudden storm, prompting mountain rescuers to issue safety warnings as the season brings both scarce mushrooms and heightened risks. According to Croatian daily Novi list, the forager became disoriented in heavy rain and thunder, separated from his group, and was unable to find his way back until rescuers located him, warmed him up, and drove him to his vehicle. Rescuers emphasized checking the forecast, staying together, carrying a charged phone, and calling 112 early if lost. The season has also been dry, with Dnevnik Nove TV reporting a weaker yield and porcini prices reaching 40 euros per kilogram in Zagreb markets—double last year’s price—pushing foragers further from roads and making secret spots even more guarded.

Enter Klobuk, a Croatian mushroom-foraging app built to address both problems. Its Dnevnik nalaza feature lets users save a find with one tap using GPS, an optional photo, a custom spot name, and a note—all privately, with no other forager able to see the finds. The app’s “Vodi me” screen then provides a compass arrow and distance back to a saved find, the parked car, or the starting point, working offline since it relies only on GPS. Klobuk is clear that this is a straight-line bearing, not a walking route; the forager still chooses the path. A spokesperson explained that the app helps users get back without handing over their spots, and it only shows the way—users still pick mushrooms and should only eat ones they are completely sure of.

The free version stores up to 15 finds without an account or ads, while Klobuk Plus, at 11.99 euros a year, adds unlimited finds, a cloud copy stored in the EU, offline county maps, and rain alerts. Klobuk does not identify mushroom species and directs users to a determinator at a mycological society. Foragers can learn more about Dnevnik nalaza and the rest of Klobuk online.