Goat Herding in the Catskills: Lead a Cashmere Herd

You guide the herd, not the other way around

A hands-on goat herding activity in Hobart where you travel alongside a cashmere herd across 30 acres of meadows, woodlands and creeks for about two hours. You learn to call the goats, listen to their bells and read their behavior as they graze, gaining insight into sustainable farming and land stewardship. A live guide in English or French leads the experience, and the terrain ranges from open fields to marshes and shaded groves.

The experience

The goats wear bells that jingle as they move, and you'll hear them constantly. It's how you track the herd's mood and location. Your job is to guide them toward the best grazing spots, then follow as they sample plants across the meadows and woods. The guide teaches you their language: how to call them, what their different sounds mean, and how to read when they're content or ready to move. The journey covers over a mile of varied terrain, so you're walking through marshes, crossing creeks, moving through open fields and ducking into shaded groves. Wear sturdy hiking boots, cover your arms and ankles against brambles and bugs, bring a water bottle, and wear a hat suited to the season.

This is not a petting zoo or a demonstration you watch from the side. You're doing the work a shepherd does: making decisions about where to lead the herd, calling them when they wander, and staying alert to their needs and movement. The experience lasts about two hours and suits all fitness levels, though the terrain is uneven and you'll be on your feet the whole time. Free parking is included, and the guide speaks English or French.

What’s included

• Goat herding experience with a live guide.
• free parking.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 11:00 and 14:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Roam on the Range

Is this one for you?You do the herding yourself alongside the guide, so this suits anyone who wants to actively work with the animals rather than watch from a distance. The two-hour walk covers uneven terrain with over a mile of distance, so come ready to be on your feet and moving through meadows, marshes and woods.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

What exactly do I do when I'm herding the goats?

You guide the herd to grazing spots, call them when they drift away, and follow them as they eat across the meadows and woods. The guide teaches you to read their bells and behavior so you understand what they need and when they're ready to move to the next patch of land.

How far do we walk and what's the terrain like?

The journey covers over a mile across 30 acres of mixed terrain: open meadows, marshes, creeks, and shaded groves. The ground is uneven and you'll be walking the whole two hours, so sturdy hiking boots are essential.

What should I wear and bring?

Wear sturdy hiking boots, long sleeves and long pants to protect against brambles and bugs, and a hat suited to the season. Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated during the two-hour walk.

Are the goats friendly, and can I pet them?

The cashmere goats are lively and charming, but this is a working herding experience, not a petting activity. You'll be focused on guiding them and learning their behavior rather than interacting with them up close.