HexaTrek

The HexaTrek is France’s ultimate long-distance trail, crossing the entire country from the Vosges Mountains near the German border to the Basque coast on the Atlantic. Over 3 034 km (1 885 mi), it links six of France’s great mountain regions – the Vosges, Jura, Alps, Vercors, Massif Central and Pyrenees – forming one of Europe’s most ambitious thru-hikes. The route combines sections of existing GR trails with newly connected mountain paths, moving through every landscape France can offer: alpine ridges, high plateaus, forests, rivers and deep rural valleys.

• Six major mountain ranges in one continuous route
• Diverse terrain – from alpine peaks to rolling countryside
• Rich mix of cultures, languages and regional cuisines
• Wild camping freedom and strong sense of remoteness
• One of the longest and most scenic thru-hikes in Europe

The HexaTrek is designed for those who crave both distance and solitude. It’s not a historical route but a modern creation – built by hikers for hikers – weaving together iconic trails and forgotten paths into one grand journey. Each region feels distinct: the pine forests of the Vosges, limestone ridges of the Jura, towering peaks of the Alps and the raw isolation of the Pyrenees. Every week brings new landscapes, new accents and new rhythms. It’s a trail that captures the full geography of France in motion.

Start: Wissembourg, Vosges Mountains – near the German border.

Finish: Hendaye, Basque Country – on the Atlantic coast.

Nearest airports: Strasbourg (SXB) / Biarritz (BIQ).

Hikers can complete it in sections, as each of the six ranges connects to existing transport links. The route passes many small towns with limited services but enough for resupply and rest days.

The HexaTrek covers every type of terrain imaginable. Forest tracks and rural roads in the north give way to steep alpine passes, rocky ridges and long Pyrenean traverses in the south. The total elevation gain exceeds 100 000 m (328 000 ft), spread across hundreds of climbs and descents. Some sections follow well-marked GR routes, while others are isolated, faint or newly established. Navigation skills and offline maps are essential.

Weather varies dramatically – humid forests in the Vosges, snowfields in the Alps and dry ridges in the Pyrenees. River crossings, unstable slopes and late snow patches can appear even in mid-summer.

Water is generally available but may require filtration in farmland or alpine pastures. Resupply points exist in most towns, though some mountain sections require carrying 3 – 5 days of food. Shops close early in rural areas – plan carefully.

The trail is built around wild camping and bivouacs. In most of France, camping one night in the wild is tolerated, though national parks restrict it to specific zones or hours. Lightweight tents or bivy setups are ideal. Mountain refuges and gîtes exist along parts of the Alps and Pyrenees sections but can be expensive or fully booked in summer.

Total ascent and descent exceed 146 000 m (479 000 ft), with the highest points above 2 800 m (9 200 ft) in the Alps and Pyrenees. The altitude itself rarely causes issues, but the cumulative gain over months is physically demanding. Acclimatization happens naturally as hikers progress through successively higher ranges.

No overall permit is needed, but certain national parks (Vanoise, Écrins, Pyrenees) have specific camping rules. Fires are prohibited almost everywhere. Respect private farmland and marked closures, especially during hunting season in autumn.

Best window for a full thru-hike is June to October, moving north to south. Early starts may bring snow in the Alps; late finishes risk storms and short daylight in the Pyrenees. Section hikes are possible almost year-round in the lower ranges.

Lightweight gear is essential – think thru-hiker efficiency rather than alpine expedition. A 40 – 50 L pack, tent or tarp, reliable rain gear, power bank, GPS and filter are mandatory. Temperatures vary from freezing in the mountains to over 30°C (86°F) in the valleys, so layering is key. Footwear should handle long road sections and rocky alpine terrain equally well.

Rated 5 / 5 – extremely demanding. The HexaTrek requires stamina, navigation skills and strong logistical planning. Weather, remoteness and sheer distance make it a serious undertaking. There are no technical climbs, but the combination of terrain, solitude and exposure demands self-reliance. Only a small number of hikers complete the entire route each year. Those who do describe it as a complete immersion – a long dialogue with France’s mountains, forests and silence.