Truffle Hunting from Ljubljana: Hunt with Dogs in Istrian Forests

Join expert truffle hunters and their dogs, then feast on rustic village flavors.

A guided truffle hunting activity in Istria's forests, departing from Ljubljana with pickup included. You hunt for rare truffles alongside a local expert and their trained dogs, learning the tradition and the bond between hunter and animal. After the forest work, you taste the truffles you've found over a homemade lunch with local wine in a rustic village setting.

The experience

You leave Ljubljana in an air-conditioned vehicle and head into Istria's forests, where the real work begins. A local truffle hunter meets you at a family estate or farmhouse nestled in the trees, and over a welcome drink (usually homemade rakija or local wine). They explain how the hunt works: the dogs, often Lagotto Romagnolos or mixed breeds trained from a young age, have an extraordinary sense of smell and will lead you through the forest to find truffles buried underground. You're not watching from the sidelines. You're part of the search, learning to read the dogs' behavior and understand the terrain they're working.

The hunt itself is the core of the day. You move through the forest with the hunter and their dogs, watching them work and occasionally helping to dig when they've found a truffle. There's no script here: the dogs decide where to go, and the forest decides what you'll find. The hunter shares stories about the history of truffle hunting, the relationship between hunter and dog, and how this tradition has survived in Istria for generations. It's physical but not strenuous, and the pace is set by the dogs and the forest, not by a schedule.

After the hunt, you head to a rustic village setting where a homemade truffle lunch waits. This is where you taste what you've found, prepared simply so the flavor of the truffles comes through. Local wine accompanies the meal. The whole experience (from pickup in Ljubljana through the forest work to the lunch) takes about six hours, leaving you back in the city with time left in your afternoon or evening.

What’s included

• All fees and taxes.
• air-conditioned vehicle from Ljubljana.
• truffle tasting with local wine at lunch.
• pickup included.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (under 12)

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 21 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats available

Operated by Adventure holiday tours

Is this one for you?Six hours is enough to hunt, eat, and return to Ljubljana with your afternoon or evening free. Choose this if you want to step away from the city for a full morning and early afternoon but need to be back before dinner.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 12).

How do the dogs find truffles buried underground?

Trained truffle dogs have an extraordinary sense of smell that detects truffles beneath the soil. The hunter reads the dog's behavior (sniffing, digging, or pointing) to locate exactly where to dig. Lagotto Romagnolos and mixed breeds trained from a young age are the most common dogs used, and they're bred and trained specifically for this work.

What happens if the dogs don't find any truffles on the day I go?

The hunt depends on what's in the forest on that particular day, and success varies. The local expert knows the forest and the dogs' abilities, but truffles are wild and unpredictable. Either way, you'll taste truffles at lunch. The meal is part of the experience regardless of what the hunt yields.

Is the forest walk difficult or steep?

The activity is suitable for all physical fitness levels. You move through the forest at the pace set by the dogs and the hunter, not by a fixed schedule, so you can rest when you need to. The terrain varies depending on where the dogs lead, but the experience is designed to be accessible.

What's included in the homemade lunch after the hunt?

Lunch features truffles prepared simply so their flavor stands out, served with local wine in a rustic village setting. The meal is cozy and traditional, reflecting Istrian cooking and the region's wine.

Do I need any experience with dogs or forests to join?

No experience is necessary. The local hunter guides you through the entire process, explaining how the dogs work and what to look for. Small groups mean you get real attention and stories from someone who knows both the forest and the tradition.