Motovun Loop

Distance: 45 km. Total elevation: 925 m

Hello legs … a 3km 10% start to the day, followed by a lovely roll along the ridge line. Then a very sketchy descent into the valley before the inevitable climb out. Tough pinches - including a couple at 21%. However all pain was forgotten after our amazing lunch at the truffle farm in Paladini.

Ivana was a wonderful host explaining everything about truffle hunting. The village has 43 people but 115 truffle hunting dogs. She is the youngest female truffle hunter (only 26) as most young people aren’t interested in this profession anymore. She has 11 dogs, including the traditional Lagotta Romagnolo, a Labrador, cocker spaniels, a shorthair pointer and her newest trainee - a Dalmatian puppy.

We had the experienced Labrador, Lila, together with a trainee dog, Istra, on our forest excursion. Lela located 2 black truffles about the size of walnuts whilst Istra did lots of sniffing & scrabbling but was more interested in having fun.

Dinner at the hotel - possibly the best pasta dish I have ever had - Tortellini cacio e pepe.Read more