Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Llamas are very friendly, and most of them like being hugged, petted, and even kissed. Every llama has a different personality though, and some don’t like having their head or ears petted. Ask your guide if you’re not sure.

No, you do not have to lead a llama if you prefer not to. However, our hiking rates are charged per person, not per llama.

No, although they are great pack-animals, llamas cannot support weight directly on their spines. Pack saddles distribute weight evenly over the llama’s back and sides.

No. Our llamas have been thoroughly and properly trained. They are very gentle and do not exhibit aggressive behaviors such as biting, spitting or kicking, toward people. A llama may kick if it is startled, so we caution our guests not to stand where the llamas cannot see them.

The llama may wander to the side of the trail to nibble on grass or leaves, but it will probably just stand and wait for you to pick it up.

There are only 3 plants that a llama should not eat. Your guide will show you pictures of them before you leave and will point them out as you pass them along the trails. If your llama grabs a bad leaf or two, there is no need to panic, a few leaves are harmless.

Each trek has a different trail and a different start location. Once your reservation is complete, we will email you directions to the trailhead. (Routes provided by GPS, Google maps and other programs can often be inaccurate due to the tricky mountain terrain.) The instructions we send you will be easy to follow and exact.

Yes, the Padgett Mill trail begins at the farm.

It depends. Larger groups usually take longer than smaller ones. Some people hike quickly; others prefer to meander on the trail. Children are a big variable; sometimes they’re hard to keep up with and other times, they hardly keep up. In the winter, there are no leaves for the llamas to nibble on, so winter treks can take less time. Every trek is different.

Please give yourself extra travel time if you are not familiar with the area. As a courtesy, we will wait 15 minutes for you to arrive, then we will begin the trek without you. (Waiting any longer would be unfair to our other guests.) Unfortunately, if you are late and we leave without you, you will lose your deposit. If we have room on another trek we will squeeze you in.

Yes, there are one or two guides leading every trek. Our guides are trained in CPR and emergency first aid to ensure your safety along the trails.

Small hiking groups are often combined. If others have reserved on the same day, we will all hike together. Group size of about 12 people and 12 llamas.

Yes

Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult and as long as there are other clients on the hike.

No, while our llamas and dogs know and love each other, unfamiliar dog(s) could upset the llamas (or vice versa). We want you to be able to relax and enjoy the scenery and peaceful atmosphere without concern.

We make many frequent stops to rest and drink. If you need to rest longer or more often, please let us know.

We do not force hikers to continue if they feel they cannot go on. Hikers may return to the trailhead (on their own) while the rest of the group continues on the trek. If this should happen, unfortunately, you will not receive a refund.

All our trails are circular loops and end up at the same trailhead where we begin.

Yes, the Padgett Mill has a store where water can be purchased.

No.

No

Cameras, video cameras, cell phones (though you may not have cell service on all of the trails), sunglasses, sunscreen, binoculars, bug spray, any medications you may need, EpiPen® if you are concerned about allergic reactions. (We do bring a first aid kit on every hike.)

Please do not bring MP3 players, games, or computers. (We want you to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature.) Large purses and/or backpacks should also be left behind. If you feel you must bring extra items, you will have to carry them.

Yes, the Padgett Mill Trek has a bathroom that is open weather permitting (turn water off during the winter months as pipes do freeze).

Expect some mud on the trails if it has been rainy a few days before your trek.

While there may be some llama manure on the trails, you might not even notice it. Llamas use the bathroom in the same spots and we regularly clean those spots so that we don’t have to walk through their bathroom. Llamas typically back up to the side of the mountain and stuff rolls down hill.

Yes, we offer a one hour “Farm Visit” to learn more about llamas.

We are open year-round. If, however, you are planning to visit during our peak season (May through October), the earlier you plan, the better.

We will email you a Reservation Confirmation Form which contains the following information about your trek: date, time, place, and directions to the trailhead.

Payment in full is required when you make your reservation on our secure online reservation system.

We do hike in drizzle or rain and in light snow. If the weather conditions are dangerous or with thunder and lightning, we will cancel the trek.