hen I go hiking, I normally like to cover long distances, preferably with a mountain peak or two along the way. My family, especially my wife, prefers things a little easier. We found the perfect hike for all of us near Stowe, Vermont.

We started with a leisurely stroll along rustic dirt roads and easy paths through the woods. No mountains, no marathon distances, no sweating, but just enough exercise and fresh air to work up a healthy appetite. A tumbling stream with two covered bridges was perfect for picture taking, and there was a swimming hole for warm days. The lovely views of the rolling hills of northern Vermont were topped by nearby Mount Mansfield and enhanced by a pristine beaver pond with abundant wildlife.

The beauty of this particular outing was that my wife didn't have to prepare the food for the hungry horde, and I didn't have to carry it. Laurie Samal did the food preparation and her two trek llamas, Tumbleweed and Toro, did the legwork. All we had to do was amble along enjoyably unburdened.

Samal (spell her last name backward and add her first initial) runs a business called Cold Hollow Llamas, which specializes in half-day and full-day wilderness hikes accompanied by her llamas. These gentle creatures have a delightfully quizzical expression, an amiable personality, and I suspect, a sense of humor. At least they look as if they enjoy observing human oddities as you lead them on their uncomplaining way.

The day begins with meeting and greeting the llamas in Samal's barn in Belvidere, about 25 miles north of Stowe. This is an up-close-and-personal, nose-to-nose ritual. Then comes the walk. The half-day adventure we took starts along Route 109, the quiet country road Samal lives on, then departs down a dirt road, crosses the first covered bridge, and turns to follow the meandering north branch of the Lamoille River. A short while later, after a short detour to a spectacular view of Mount Mansfield, we came to the second covered bridge and the deep, clear swimming hole. Its sparkling water almost made me wish we'd scheduled our trek for high summer rather than foliage season.

A little farther down the dirt road, we turned onto an old farm track (complete with abandoned farm implements and a mystery remnant from an old house), which led directly to the food. In summer Samal, Tumbleweed, and Toro take you through a half mile of gently sloping woods to a shady pine grove that is a cool and pleasant place to picnic in the heat. But we wandered to the meadow behind Samal's house, where we picnicked in the warm autumn sun. If the weather doesn't cooperate at all, you can picnic in the barn. Believe me, the picnic is worth doing no matter what the setting.

We dined splendidly on a tomato, basil, and walnut soup; a robust sausage-nut pâté served on Armenian cracker bread; strips of lamb in a mint chili sauce (my wife is negotiating for the recipe); a savory chicken curry; as well as a chocolate-covered cheesecake and incredible white chocolate brownies. The boys want the brownies recipe. The next time, I think my wife and I will book a romantic weekend, llama trek included, and leave the kids home.

Laurie Samal offers outings from Memorial Day through Columbus Day for groups of up to ten people. She will also customize the picnic menu from an extensive listing of cold soups, appetizers, cold entrees or gourmet sandwiches on homemade bread, and desserts. The half-day trek costs $90 for two. Full-day treks cost $160 for two. Each additional person is $15.

You can book your trek directly with Laurie Samal at Cold Hollow Llamas, Belvidere, Vt.; 802-644-5846. Two nearby inns offer her llama treks as part of packages: contact Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, 802-326-4391 or 800-826-7000; and the Inn at Trout River in Montgomery Center, 802-326-4391 or 800-338-7049.