What to expect on an alpaca trek at Holly Hagg

If this is your first visit to Holly Hagg, you might be surprised by how green it feels. Although city tower blocks are still visible across the valley, it somehow feels like a different world. Sheffield, but not as you usually experience it.

Holly Hagg isn’t a visitor attraction in the traditional sense – we’re a working, volunteer-run community farm where animal welfare, nature and education come first and our volunteers’ love of the place is infectious.

After parking on Long Lane and stepping up to our gate, take a moment enjoy the view before making your way through the gate and down the meadow. Gravel crunches underfoot as birdsong drifts across the meadow and buzzards soar overhead. By the time you reach the bottom of the meadow, you’ll find yourself surrounded by alpacas and Jefe the llama as our volunteer guides greet you with a warm hello.

Meet your alpaca

Head out on the trail

From the farm, you’ll head into the Rivelin Valley for around an hour of gentle walking through woodland and open countryside, with views towards Sheffield and the Peak District. The route follows natural footpaths and bridleways, so you can expect uneven ground, tree roots, stones and – this being Sheffield – quite possibly some mud. A reasonable level of mobility and fitness is required, but the pace is relaxed and there are plenty of stops along the way. Walking with an alpaca is very much about enjoying the journey. There’s time to feed your walking companion, ask questions and stop for photographs. Your guide will also happily take photos for you, so nobody needs to spend the whole trek behind the camera.

Back at the farm

Once you return, you can spend a little more time with the herd, take final photographs and ask any remaining questions. If time allows, your guide may also show you some of the other farm residents, including our pigs, sheep, chickens and ducks. You can also browse our small pop-up shop, with alpaca yarn and roving from our own herd alongside handmade gifts and cards.

 Ready to join us?

First time walking an alpaca?