Unbelievably, it’s been almost ten years since I walked the 1,400 km Shikoku Pilgrimage in 2016. Ever since, I’ve had the itch to take on another long-distance trail, and that time has finally come. Later this week, I’ll be setting off on the HexaTrek across France!

Photo top by Marsumilae

What’s the HexaTrek?

The HexaTrek is a 3,034 km (1,885 mile) hiking trail that spans the entire length of France, from Wissembourg near the German border to Hendaye on the Atlantic coast. Launched in 2022, it connects 14 of the country’s national and regional parks—from the forested slopes of the Vosges in the north to the dramatic peaks of the Pyrenees in the south.

The route stitches together 47 existing GR (Grande Randonnée) trails, guiding hikers through a constantly shifting landscape of forests, valleys, ridgelines, and alpine passes. With over 136,000 metres of elevation gain (equivalent to climbing Mount Everest more than 15 times) it’s a serious undertaking, typically taking three to five months to complete.

Why the HexaTrek?

I chose the HexaTrek for its proximity to our home in Munich and because it’s still relatively new and off most people’s radar. While it’s not a pilgrimage in the traditional sense like Shikoku, I’ll be approaching it in a similar spirit, as a chance to reset, reflect, and embrace a simpler life for a while, step by step.

This is especially meaningful as I recently crossed the threshold into my forties and just left a job I had been at for almost 10 years! I strongly believe that taking breaks from work every 5-10 years is essential for recharging your creative batteries and allowing you to gain some perspective on life.

How long will it take?

I’m giving myself around three months for the walk, but there’s no pressure to reach the finish line. I’ll simply keep going until my body, mind (or wallet) tells me it’s time to stop. The goal isn’t to conquer the trail, but to immerse myself in it, however far I get.

If I’m worried about anything, it’s the risk of heat waves in southern France, not exactly ideal for my British constitution.

Rules for walking

On past walks, I’ve sometimes found myself too focused on the destination, mentally rushing ahead instead of being present. So this time, to help me stay grounded and make the most of the journey, I’ll be keeping in mind Craig Mod’s “Rules of Walking“, which can be summarised as:

Walk, be present, engage with the world around you.
Keep an open mind.

In concrete terms, this means keeping away from the phone unless it’s to check the map, not setting rigid distance targets and taking breaks without guilt, especially when it’s hot in the middle of the day.

Keeping in touch

I’ll do my best to post updates frequently, though they might be a little lighter than past journeys as I’m travelling with minimal tech this time (expect a full gear report at the end) since I’ll be camping most days.

I hope you’ll join me for the adventure ahead 🇫🇷🥾⛰️🥖🧀