Truffle Hunting with Dogs in the Buzet Woods

What it is

An outing into the forest with a truffle-hunting family and their dogs, around Buzet, in the north of inland Istria. The truffle grows underground in the damp oak woods of the Mirna valley, and no human nose can detect it: the trained dog smells it, quickly scrapes with its paws to mark the spot and the truffle hunter carefully lifts it out. Afterwards what has been found is cooked or tasted. It is a quiet activity, a forest walk, that appeals to families and anyone curious about Istrian cooking.

Istria's truffles

In the Buzet and Motovun woods black truffles and the white truffle, the most prized, are found. The white has its season in autumn and winter: according to Karlić, in 2017 it opened on 15 September. Outings are offered almost all year, but what you find depends on the season and on luck.

Who runs it

Two families from the Buzet area receive visitors:

• Karlić tartufi, in Paladini, next to Buzet. The business was started by Ivan Rašpolić in 1966 and today it is run by the grandfather, the mother, the grandchildren and the dogs. The hunt takes place in the oak woods surrounding the house. Book through the online booking system on its website.
• Prodan Tartufi, also from the Buzet area. The family has bred and trained truffle dogs for generations, tells its story during the outing and ends by preparing what has been found, with a tasting of its truffle products. Book with the contact form on its website; give the date, number of people and language.

Neither publishes the price openly: you confirm it when booking.

What it is like

1. Welcome at the farm, with an explanation about the truffle and the dogs.
2. Into the forest. You walk with the truffle hunter and the dogs through the oak wood. It is forest terrain, often damp.
3. The hunt. The dog tracks, stops and digs. You see how the truffle is extracted and how it is distinguished.
4. Tasting. On the way back, the truffle is tasted in simple dishes of Istrian cooking, such as scrambled egg with truffle, and house products.

According to Prodan, any time of day is good for hunting: you never know when the truffle gives off its scent.

What to bring

Footwear that can get dirty, preferably boots or walking shoes, and comfortable clothes. If it has rained, the forest will be muddy. In autumn and winter, a coat.

Getting there

Buzet is in the north of inland Istria. Without a car it is complicated: the interior has almost no buses, as the listing for the coastal buses explains. Both families give their address when you book.

With children

It is a plan suitable for all ages: children follow the dogs through the forest. Ask when booking how much walking there is and whether there is a shorter version for little ones.

To round off the day

Combine the outing with the villages of Motovun and Grožnjan, a short distance away. In Motovun, Konoba Mondo cooks with truffle, and in October the village holds its teran wine and truffle festival: in 2026 it was on 17 and 18 October.