HexaTrek

HexaTrek is a brand-new 3034 km thru-hiking trail with 136.000m of ascent linking 14 of the most beautiful French natural parks and crossing France from the north-eastern Vosges to the Atlantic coast. This epic journey starts on the German border at Wissembourg and travels down towards the Spanish border at Hendaye, a true thru-hike by definition. The whole thru-hike takes between 4 and 6 months to complete. The HexaTrek is France's answer to the world's greatest thru-hikes such as the USA's Pacific Crest Trail or New Zealand's Te Araroa, interconnecting a network of trails, forest tracks, and alpine pathways all across the "Hexagone", France's nickname due to its geometrical shape. Following high mountain ridges, crossing beautiful valleys and stopping in the most picturesque villages, the HexaTrek comprises thousands of points of interest, unmissable, and natural wonders that you'll discover throughout your journey, all the while being surrounded by the country's rich gastronomy, culture and history.The HexaTrek is divided into 6 stages that will lead you through the most beautiful parks and mountains France has on offer. Each stage has its own identity, geography and climate. Hiking is recommended during the summer season, from early June to October, once the snow has cleared from the Alps and the Pyrenees. Hiking outside of this timeframe requires alpine knowledge and equipment at higher altitudes. Both directions of travel have their advantages and disadvantages, with a southbound direction warming up more progressively until the Alps, whereas northbound is a more sporting start.The trail is mostly thought out as being a wild camping adventure, or "bivouac" as it is known there, however, there are often plenty of opportunities for more comfort in towns, campsites and refuges to fit all budgets. A healthy spending average would be 1000€ a month or about 4000€ to 6000€ for the complete thru. There is no fee or permit required to walk the HexaTrek, but any donation goes a long way to help the volunteers of the HexaTrek Association develop partnerships, install signage, and maintain the trail.Disclaimer: The trail is in it's infancy and the route is likely to greatly evolve in the forthcoming years!