Truffle Hunting in Valmozzola: Dig & Lunch with Dogs

You dig the truffles out of the ground with your own hands

Truffle hunting in Valmozzola, a village in the Parma hills halfway between Parma and Cinque Terre, pairs a guided hunt with two truffle dogs against a 3-hour activity that ends with a lunch of fresh truffles and homemade truffle products cooked by Mamma Laura. The hunt lasts roughly an hour and a half depending on what the dogs find. Vegetarian and vegan meals are available. Children from age 3 are welcome, and pickup from Solignano or Berceto train stations costs €50 extra, or €130 from central Parma.

The Experience

Valmozzola sits in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, an hour's drive from Parma's Food Valley and an hour from La Spezia and Cinque Terre. You start at the truffle farm and walk into the surrounding woods with Flavia and her two truffle dogs (Trilli, Maya and Ludo), who do the finding while you do the digging. The hunt runs between an hour and ninety minutes, depending on the season and how much the dogs locate. Black summer truffles come in warmer months, fall truffles later in the year.

Lunch (or dinner, depending on your start time) happens after the hunt and includes the fresh truffles you've just pulled from the ground, homemade truffle products, and wine. Mamma Laura cooks everything on-site. Vegetarian and vegan options exist if you need them.

If you're arriving by train, you can take a connection to Solignano or Berceto station and arrange pickup from there. The operator also offers pickup from Parma city centre. Without a car, the train stations are the practical entry points, and the operator handles the rest of the logistics once you book.

What’s included

• A 3-hour experience including roughly 1.5 hours of truffle hunting with two trained dogs.
• lunch or dinner with fresh truffles, homemade truffle products and wine.
• live guide in English, Italian or German.
• pickup from train stations at Solignano or Berceto (€50) or from Parma city centre (€130) available on request.

Days and timesWed · Fri · Sat · Sun · 11:00 · season until 22 Nov

Ages10 to 80 years · 3 to 9 years · Under 3 — No ticket type: can't be added to a booking

Meeting point and pickupPickup optional · ends where it starts17 pickup points to choose from.Meeting point, per the operator: “If you have a car you can reach us easily. Our exact location is: Località Case Sozzi 6, 43050 Valmozzola (PR). We are halfway from Parma to La Spezia (Cinque T…”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomeNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by il Borgo del Tartufo

Is this one for you?The hunt involves walking through the woods and digging with your hands, so you'll need to be comfortable with moderate activity and getting soil on your clothes. The dogs do the work of locating truffles, but you're the one pulling them from the ground, which is what makes the lunch afterward taste different from any other meal.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, German and Italian.

Can children come?

3 to 9 years. Under 3: no ticket type, they can't be added to a booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

Can I arrange pickup if I'm arriving by train from Parma?

Pickup from Solignano or Berceto station costs €50 for up to 4 people. From Parma city centre it costs €130. For groups larger than 4, contact the operator directly to arrange transport.

What truffles will we find during the hunt?

Black summer truffles come during warmer months. Fall truffles appear later in the year. The exact variety depends on the season of your visit and what the dogs locate on the day.

What's included in the lunch after the hunt?

Lunch includes the fresh truffles you found during the hunt, homemade truffle products prepared by Mamma Laura, and wine. Vegetarian and vegan meals are available if you request them.

Can I buy the truffles we find during the hunt?

The truffles found during the hunt can be purchased separately if you'd like to take them home.