Motovun: Truffle Hunting Walk & Forest Dogs with Svilicic Family

Summary

Motovun forest truffle hunt with local dogs and family stories

You’ll follow trained dogs through Motovun’s damp forest with the Svilicic family guiding every step of your truffle hunt. Smell fresh earth as you dig beside locals who’ve searched these woods for decades. Watch as a hidden truffle is unearthed—then taste what you found together. There’s something quietly thrilling about it.

What’s the experience like?

There’s this sharp, earthy scent that hit me as soon as we stepped into the Motovun forest — not quite mushroom, not quite soil, but something in between. The leaves were still wet from last night’s rain, and you could hear the dogs’ paws squelching ahead of us. Our guide, Marko from the Svilicic family, just grinned when I tried to guess which tree hid the prize. “The dogs know,” he said. He was right — I didn’t have a clue.

I’d heard about truffle hunting near Motovun but didn’t expect it to feel so…quiet? Just us, a couple of eager dogs (one kept wagging at me for treats), and Marko’s stories about his grandfather teaching him these woods. Every so often he’d kneel down and brush away dirt with practiced hands — I tried once and got mud under my nails, which made everyone laugh. The main keyword here is patience; those truffles aren’t going to jump out at you.

When one of the dogs finally started digging for real, there was this sudden burst of excitement — bark, shout, everyone crowding around to see what came up. It wasn’t huge or pretty but Marko held it up like treasure. He let us smell it (stronger than I thought) and explained how these Motovun truffles end up on tables all over Europe. There’s something special about finding food that way — slow, muddy, kind of humbling.

I still think about that first bite later at lunch — earthy and rich, almost sweet after all that walking. I probably wouldn’t have noticed half those details if we hadn’t spent an hour listening to Marko talk about his family’s forty years in truffle hunting. You can take a day trip for truffle hunting from anywhere nearby; just be ready for muddy shoes and a few surprises along the way.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Truffle hunting in Motovun forest

• Walk through the forest
• Search for truffles with dogs
• Svilicic family explains truffle hunting

Top questions

How long does the Motovun truffle hunting tour last?

The exact duration isn’t listed but expect around 1–2 hours walking in the forest with guides and dogs.

Are children allowed on the truffle hunting tour?

Yes, specialized infant seats are available and all fitness levels are welcome.

Is transportation included in the Motovun truffle hunt?

No hotel pickup is mentioned but public transportation options are nearby.

What types of truffles are found during this activity?

You can find both white (Tuber Magnatum) and black (Tuber Melanosporum) truffles in Motovun forest.

Who leads the truffle hunting experience?

The Svilicic family hosts and guides you through their traditional methods.

Are trained dogs used during the hunt?

Yes, specially trained dogs help locate the underground truffles during your walk.

Is lunch or tasting included after finding truffles?

The description mentions tasting but does not specify a full meal; check with provider for details.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided walk through Motovun forest searching for truffles alongside trained dogs led by the Svilicic family—who share their decades-old expertise throughout your adventure.