Truffle Hunting With Lunch

Truffle Hunting with Lunch, 3 hours 30 minutes, rated 5 across 40 traveller reviews.

Overview

This half-day outing pairs a walk through the hills near Verona with a working truffle hunt led by an experienced hunter and a trained dog. The group meets in a small town, then heads into the woods, where the guide explains how truffles grow, which trees and root systems they favour, and how the dog is trained to find them. Watching the dog work is the centrepiece, and reviewers regularly describe her finding several truffles during the walk itself.

Along the way the guide points out plant species and the landscape, which several travellers said was a highlight in itself, with vineyards, fruit trees and views across the countryside.

The hunt finishes with lunch at a local restaurant known for truffle dishes, and the truffles dug up during the morning are served with the meal. Multiple reviewers describe this as the best part of the day, with fresh truffle shaved over homemade pasta. The whole experience runs about three and a half hours and suits travellers who want something outdoorsy and genuinely local rather than a standard city sightseeing tour.

What's Included

Included

Private transportation (Only departure from Verona)
Lunch

Itinerary

Meet in CastagnéThe meeting point is the small town square, Piazza Guglielmo Marconi in Castagné. Travellers choosing this option need their own means of transport.
Travel to the woodsThe group drives a few minutes to a wooded area, or to the hinterland of Lake Garda or Lessinia depending on the season and weather. Private transportation is included only for departures from Verona.
Guided truffle huntThe guide explains the life cycle of truffles, the local plants and how the dog works, then the group walks through the woods while the dog searches and digs.
Truffle lunchThe tour ends with lunch at a typical local venue specialising in truffle dishes, using truffles from the morning's find.
Return to meeting pointThe activity ends back at the original meeting point.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get the most out of this tour, from footwear to how the day is organised.

Footwear and pace. The walk lasts roughly half an hour to 45 minutes in the reviewers' accounts, partly in woods, partly on rocky trails with some uphill stretches. One reviewer described the difficulty as easy to moderate. It is a light hike, not a stroll, so comfortable walking shoes make sense.
The dog does the work. The trained dog is the star of the hunt, and travellers repeatedly describe her digging up multiple truffles near chestnut, oak and vine roots. Reviewers also mention learning how the dog is trained and how truffles grow, so expect real explanation, not just a walk.
Lunch with your find. The truffles found during the hunt are cleaned and served at lunch, often shaved over homemade pasta. Reviewers also mention wine and appetizers as part of the meal.
Getting there. Private transportation from Verona is included for that departure option. If you meet at the square in Castagné instead, you need your own transport, and you then drive a few minutes to the woods.
Group size. The tour has a maximum of 8 travellers, and reviewers describe the small group as part of the appeal.
Season and weather. The area hunted, Garda's hinterland or Lessinia, depends on the season and weather, and the experience requires good weather to run. One reviewer went in October and found the conditions ideal.

Common issues. The tour is not wheelchair accessible and the listing advises against it for travellers with back problems, pregnant travellers, or those with serious heart or other medical conditions. It also requires a minimum number of participants, and if that minimum is not met you are offered a different date or experience, or a full refund. Poor weather can cancel the day, with the same choice of a new date or a refund. Full refunds only apply if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. The walk itself involves some rocky and uphill trail, so anyone expecting a flat, easy stroll should reconsider.

Common Questions

What is included in the price?

Lunch is included, along with private transportation, but only for departures from Verona. The truffle hunt itself with the guide and dog is the core of the experience. If you meet the group in Castagné instead, you need your own transport.

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is Piazza Guglielmo Marconi in Castagné, in the small town square, and the tour ends back there. Alternatively, transportation from Verona is provided as part of the booking. The listing notes the Castagné option requires your own means of transport.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience, hunt and lunch together, runs 3 hours and 30 minutes. The walking portion is shorter, roughly 30 to 45 minutes according to reviewers, with the rest of the time spent on the hunt and the meal.

Is it suitable for children or people with limited mobility?

The listing says most travellers can participate and reviewers have enjoyed it with families. However, the tour is not wheelchair accessible and the listing says it is not recommended for those with back problems, pregnant travellers, or people with heart or other serious medical conditions. The trail includes rocky and uphill sections.

Do we eat the truffles we find?

Yes. The listing confirms lunch at venues specialising in truffle dishes.

What is the cancellation policy?

You get a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time, with cut-off times based on local time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted. If the tour is cancelled for poor weather or because the minimum number of travellers is not met, you are offered a different date or experience, or a full refund.