The Ultimate Guide to Truffle Hunting in Europe

Fetching over £10,000 per kilogram, truffles have long been a symbol of luxury. A Hong Kong tycoon once paid $132,000 for a single kilogram of white truffle. These rare fungi, with their unique aroma, were originally hunted for by pigs and once shrouded in myths of witchcraft. Now a modern-day gastronomic wonder, efforts have been made to cultivate growing conditions. Yet, unearthing truffles remains at its core an endeavour patience between a hunter and their trusty companion. A dog.

Rome - A Trip Through The Legendary Forests

Regions such as Piedmont, Umbria and Tuscany often take the spotlight of Italy’s truffle hunting escapades, but Romans have long had a nose for truffles, which have been hunted in the countryside for centuries. 

On a December morning under the Eternal City’s clear blue sky, I took the metro to Pantano, about forty-five minutes from central Rome to the Roman countryside. There I met Matteo, a tartufaio or professional truffle hunter, along with his father, Furio, and the three of their truffle eight hunting dogs — Luna, Wendy and Ciccio. Matteo followed in his father’s footsteps and has been working as a professional truffle for 12 years.

As we began our two-hour hike, the blue sky gave way to a snow-filled one that dusted the terrain into a somewhat enchanted forest, and we began to search for what Italians often refer to as fairy apples. 

We made our way across the Monte Guadagnolo forest; the trees were bare, but the ground was still a crimson autumnal carpet which the dogs scouted for a trace of truffle. There were a few false alarms, but for the most part the dogs—trained by the family when they were puppies— knew when they’d found gold dust, scurrying and digging to signal to Matteo they had found some tartufi. Matteo then used a specialist spade to dig out the truffles, which, fresh from the ground, certainly smelled earthy, but far away from the aromatic culinary delight we know.

The dogs seemed to have a taste for the finer things, occasionally scoffing the smaller truffles for themselves. They were rewarded for their work with calls of “brava, brava”, copious hugs from fellow hunters, and small sausages for their finds, which were mainly the seasonal black autumn truffle, tuber uncinatum.

After the hunt, I was welcomed to Matteo’s family home, an authentic, cosy farmhouse with perfect vistas of rolling hills from their terrace. Lunch was freshly prepared in an open kitchen — a seven-course truffle feast starting with fresh brie drizzled with honey and topped with fresh truffle shavings, followed by dishes such as a creamy yet light and fresh truffle pasta, all accompanied with unlimited wine produced in the family’s vineyard

Explore more at matteo-truffles.com, €99 per person for a 6-hour hunt

Where else to go hunting?

Beyond the Roman countryside, we take you on a journey through other renowned Italian regions—Tuscany, Piedmont, and Umbria—each celebrated for their rich truffle-hunting traditions.

Venturing further, we explore the charm of France’s truffle havens in Provence and Dordogne, delving into their historic markets and culinary legacy. Finally, we uncover hidden gems, including the emerging truffle culture in East Sussex and the Mediterranean allure of Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula.

Tuscany – The Land of Black Truffles

Renowned for its picturesque landscapes and prized black truffles, Tuscany is home to the world’s largest truffle ever found in 1954 which weighed 2.5kg. Here tartufo brumale thrives from January to March, while the milder tartufo marzuolo emerges between mid-January and April, and the Italian Summer Truffle scorzone can be discovered from June through November. One of the world’s rarest culinary delights, the coveted tartufo bianco, can be found in Tuscany from September to November.

Tuscany Truffle Hunter offer a variety of truffle experiences beyond hunting including wine tasting and truffle cooking classes. Find out more at tuscanytrufflehunter.it

Piedmont – White Truffle Heaven

Italy’s Piedmont region is synonymous with white truffles, tuber magnatum pico, revered as the gold standard of the truffle world and one of the rarest foods on earth. These treasures are best sought between October and December but can be found all year round. The International Alba White Truffle Fair in the province of Cuneo in Piedmont where organisers donate part of the money raised to charity.

Truffle Hunting Alba offers tours from May - March. Find out more at trufflehuntingalba.com, prices from € 130

Umbria – The Home of the White Spring Truffle

Nestled among vineyards, olive groves and wooded hills, Umbria is one of Italy’s top truffle producing regions and produces the highest number of black truffles in Italy.  An integral part of the region’s culture, this age-old tradition sees hunters finding both white and black truffles, as well as being home to the white spring truffle bianchetto and the marzuolo truffle, which is characterised by a garlicky aroma.

Wild Foods Italy is a family-run business which takes you through Umbria's truffle-rich forests. Find out more at wildfoodsitaly.com, prices from €190 per person

Dordogne – A Feast for the Senses

France’s love affair with truffles, captured by poet Alexandre Dumas who said “To tell the story of the truffle is to tell the history of world civilisation,” speaks to the cultural and culinary significance these treasured fungi hold. Renowned for its white truffles, the best time to hunt in the Dordogne is December through to March, when you’ll find truffle festivals and markets. 

Dordogne’s Périgord region is also home to one of the rarest truffles in the world, the Perigord black truffle known in French haute cuisine as the “black diamond”. 

Écomusée de la Truffle is a museum dedicated to truffles in Périgord. The museum offers private hunting tours upon request. Find out more at ecomuseedelatruffe.com

Provence – The Sunnier Side of Truffles

Provence’s sun-soaked landscapes are the perfect place to uncover the secrets of truffle hunting. Truffles grow in the limestone terrains of Provence, where they benefit from the diverse ecosystem and soil conditions.  

The region’s black truffle comprises around 80% of France’s black truffle market. Scented with wet earth, fruit and cocoa, these truffles are identifiable by their almost black skin and contrasting white veins.

Les Pastras offers a truffle-hunting tour which includes Champagne, truffle hors d'oeuvres, olive and truffle oil tasting. Find out more at lespastras.com, €90 per person for a 3-hour tour

Slovenia & Croatia – The Magic of Istria

Known as “Terra Magica” — the magical land — the Istrian Peninsula, which spans across Slovenia and Croatia offers both black and white truffles, with peak hunting seasons aligning with those in Italy and France.

Beyond its forests, the region is also known for its long coastline, dotted with bays, peninsulas, natural reserves, creating a stunning backdrop for truffle hunting.

Karlić truffles in Buzet, Croatia offers tours available upon request. Find out more at karlictartufi.hr

Sussex - An Adventure Closer to Home

Sussex's mild climate, rich soil and ancient woodlands provide the perfect environment for cultivating black truffles and is an ideal setting for discovering these underground treasures. Last year, the region held the Great British Truffle Festival in Plumpton, East Sussex which invited enthusiasts to participate in guided hunts, learn about truffle cultivation, and enjoy truffle-inspired dishes.

Totally Wild UK offers truffle-hunting tours at a secret location (full details sent before the event) near Chichester. Find out more at totallywild.co.uk, £160 per person