Logo for Holly Hagg a not-for-profit community farm in Sheffield. Alpaca trekking, organic food growing, community access to greenspace, wildlife and sustainable education.
Book a Trek

Be a trek guide

Being a trek guide requires committment and training but is very popular and rewarding. Trek guides work as part of a team and get to work much more closely with the alpacas. There is the fun of taking people trekking, but also opportunities for helping with events like local fairs, and helping with youth groups visiting in the summer evenings to meet the animals.

What we are looking for

You do not need any prior experience to apply to be a trek guide but we are looking for people who can follow instructions carefully, are able to arrive on time and are committed to sticking to any arrangements they have agreed to. You will need to feel confident around large animals and comfortable walking for about an hour on ground that is steep and uneven in places.

For volunteers under the age of 18, please fill in our consent form and gain the permission of a parent or guardian. 

What to expect

Training is given while shadowing guides on two treks. Once training is complete, trek guides usually volunteer to help with about 2 treks a month. The guides arrive 30 minutes before the trek starts and are needed for about 2.5 hours per trek. Treks run on the following days:

Saturday 11am (all year)
Sunday 11am (all year)
Sunday 1.30pm (March to December)
Wednesday 11am (April to October)
Tuesday 6.30pm (May to August) 

What to bring

Please bring:

  • Sturdy shoes or boots
  • Raincoat in wet weather
  • Gloves and warm clothes on cold days
  • Suncream on sunny days

Hi-Vis vests, radios and training are provided. We do have soap and water hand wash stations but we have no drinking water or electricity on the field. Please bring your own drinks and snacks if you think you will need refreshments before or after the trek.

If you are interested

Send an email to [email protected] with your name, phone number, a little bit about yourself and let us know when you might be free to start. The next step will be for you to attend two training treks (see days and times above) before getting started as a regular guide.

Volunteering opportunities

Weekly drop-in sessions

Group volunteering

Placements

Be a trek guide

Be an animal feeder

Junior volunteers

Useful resources

Health and safety around animals

Walking with alpacas guide

Alpaca trekking with the Holly Hagg alpacas