British Columbia’s wild spaces are full of edible treasures if you know where to look — and few are as abundant or versatile as the salal berry. Found along the province’s coastal trails and forest edges, salal (Gaultheria shallon) is a favourite among foragers, hikers and curious travellers looking to sample BC’s natural bounty. Whether you’re new to foraging or a seasoned berry picker, salal offers an easy and delicious place to start.
Photo by iStockWhere To Find Salal
Salal is a hardy evergreen shrub that thrives in BC’s temperate rainforests. Its thick, glossy leaves and upright growth are a common sight along the Pacific coast, especially on Vancouver Island, Haida Gwaii, the Gulf Islands and the Lower Mainland. You’ll often spot it in dappled shade beneath towering Douglas firs, western red cedars and Sitka spruce.
Look for salal along coastal trails, in old-growth forests and in sunny clearings where the plants can form dense thickets. Popular spots for casual berry picking include the coastal paths in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, the Sea to Sky corridor near Squamish and the forest trails around Victoria and Nanaimo.
When To Pick
Salal berries typically ripen from mid-summer to early fall, depending on the region and weather. In most of coastal BC, the peak picking season runs from late July through September.
The berries are small, dark purple to almost black when fully ripe and grow in clusters on the tips of the branches. They have a slightly fuzzy skin and a sweet, mild flavour often described as a mix between blueberries and blackcurrants — with a pleasantly earthy undertone.
To get the best taste, wait until the berries are plump and almost ready to fall off the stem with a gentle tug. Earlier in the season, they can taste a bit astringent or underripe.
Photo by iStockHow To Use Salal Berries
Salal berries have long been valued by Indigenous peoples of the West Coast, who used them fresh, dried them into cakes for winter storage or combined them with other berries and fish oils. Today, modern foragers and cooks continue to find creative ways to enjoy this wild fruit.
Here are a few popular ways to use salal berries:
- Fresh eating: Pop them right off the bush for a trailside snack.
- Jams and jellies: Their natural pectin makes them excellent for preserves.
- Baked goods: Add them to muffins, pies, tarts or scones — either alone or mixed with other berries.
- Fruit leather: Puree and dry the berries into a chewy snack.
- Liqueurs and syrups: Infuse them into spirits or make a sweet syrup for cocktails or pancakes.
Since salal berries freeze well, many foragers gather a bounty in late summer and store them for year-round use.
A Note On Sustainable Foraging
As with all wild harvesting, it’s important to forage responsibly. Pick only what you’ll use, leave plenty for wildlife and fellow foragers and take care not to trample or damage the plants. In BC’s parks and protected areas, check local regulations, as some may restrict berry picking.
Exploring BC’s wild salal patches offers more than just tasty rewards — it’s a chance to connect with the landscape, savour the season and bring a bit of the forest home to your kitchen. So next time you’re out on the trail and spot those glossy green leaves, take a closer look — there might just be a handful of sweet salal berries waiting to be discovered.
