HexaTrek Thru-Hiking and Backpacking Guide 2025
Hike France through the Alps, 14 national parks for jaw-dropping scenery, remote wilderness, and cultural immersion
July 23rd, 2025
Home → Gear Reviews → Trip Guides
France might not be the first country that comes to mind when you think of long-distance thru-hikes, but it should be. The HexaTrek is a 3,034 km route that winds through 14 national parks and many of the major mountain ranges in the country, from the Vosges to the Pyrenees. I thru-hiked the entire trail over four months, navigating everything from snowy alpine passes to scorching southern ridgelines, and I can confidently say this trail deserves a spot on your bucket list.
Distance: 3,034 km (~1,885 miles)
Days: ~115-150 days
Elevation gain/loss: ~140,000 m
Best season: June-October
Permits: None required
Difficulty: Challenging
The HexaTrek is one of Europe’s newest and most ambitious long-distance hiking trails. Created in 2022, it connects France’s most stunning landscapes into a single thru-hike that spans the entire country. You’ll start near the German border in northeastern France and walk all the way to the Atlantic Ocean, passing through the Vosges, Jura, Alps, Cévennes, and Pyrenees.
Designed by French hikers for hikers, the HexaTrek is still evolving. The founder of the trail was inspired to create the HexaTrek after hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in the US. While many sections follow established GR (Grande Randonnée) routes, others are more obscure, weaving together tiny rural paths, alpine traverses, and even a few bushwhacks. What it lacks in official signage, it makes up for in jaw-dropping scenery, remote wilderness, and cultural immersion.
The HexaTrek is also notable for being a uniquely human-powered way to experience France: you’ll pass through medieval villages, summit high alpine passes, and can end with a celebratory swim in the Atlantic. For hikers who love variety and are comfortable being self-sufficient, it’s the ultimate adventure.
The trail crosses multiple regions, cultural zones, and national parks, including areas historically inhabited by Basque and Occitan communities. You’ll also cross multiple borders including going into Switzerland, Spain, and Andorra. Hikers should be respectful of local customs, language differences, and environmental protections.
This story may contain affiliate links, which help fund our website. When you click on the links to purchase gear, we may get a commission. This allows us to create reader-supported, objective gear reviews, independently selected by our editors— without costing you an extra cent. Thank you for supporting our work and mission of outdoor coverage for every body! Learn more.
Highlights
Traverse 14 national parks, including Écrins, Vanoise, and the Pyrénées.
Camp on remote alpine plateaus, swim in glacial lakes, and sleep in rustic French refuges.
Resupply in villages and indulge in local wine, cheese, and pastries.
Wild camp nearly anywhere legally in the mountains.
Watch the landscape shift dramatically as you hike.
Challenges
Navigation can be tricky—some sections are unmarked or poorly marked or require some route-finding.
Water is scarce in some parts of the south, especially in Stage 4.
Longer food carries required in the Alps and Pyrenees.
Frequent elevation changes with steep ascents and descents, often with long stretches of loose rocks and some scrambling.
Navigating language barriers if you don’t speak French.
Best Season
Early June through early October is ideal. Snow lingers in the Alps and Pyrenees into early July, and late fall can bring early storms. The trail is more commonly tackled north to south, starting when snow has melted in the Alps but before it returns to the Pyrenees. The southern Stage 4 in August can be brutally hot and dry, with temperatures rising above 40°C.
Difficulty and Skills
Navigation
This is not a fully marked trail. You’ll rely heavily on the HexaTrek App. GPX files, Mapy.cz, and Gaia GPS are also an option.
Terrain
Expect everything from wide forest tracks to steep, exposed alpine scrambles. You may encounter loose scree, fixed ropes, rebar ladders, snow, and exposed ridgelines. There are usually alternates available for the most technical sections.
Elevation Gain/Loss
Over 140,000 meters (459,318 feet) of gain and loss. Expect steep, sustained climbs, especially in the Alps and Pyrenees, with very few flat sections. A single day of hiking could easily include more than 2000 metres of elevation and descent in some sections.
Permits
No permits are required to hike the HexaTrek. However, some national parks have regulations about camping (typically allowed from 7pm-7am or near refuges for a small fee), especially in protected zones. Wild camping is generally permitted unless stated otherwise and as long as you’re respectful and follow Leave No Trace.
The Six Stages
The trail is divided into six stages:
Stage 1: Vosges & Jura 670 km, 21,200 meters– Gentle forest paths and rolling hills. Small villages with a German and Swiss influence.
Stage 2: Alps North 382 km, 22,500 meters– Big alpine climbs, famous GR5 sections, meadows filled with marmots and wildflowers.
Stage 3: Alps South 497 km, 26,800 meters– Steeper, rockier, remote and stunning. Arguably the most difficult section of the trail.
Stage 4: Cévennes & Tarn 514 km, 14,300 meters – Quiet ridgelines, unique geology. High temperatures and flatter terrain.
Stage 5: East Pyrenees 532 km, 30,600 meters – Volcanic plateaus and rustic farming towns. Cross into Spain for the Haute Route Pyrenees.
Stage 6: West Pyrenees 437 km, 22,600 meters – The grand finale: rugged passes and epic views winding toward the coast.
Major trail towns include Chamonix, Grenoble, Nyon/Thonon-les-bains, Carcassonne, Hendaye.
Chamonix is a hiking Mecca, where you’ll overlap with the famous Tour de Mont Blanc for about 70 kms.
Navigation Resources
HexaTrek App – Trail creator’s app with maps, GPS, stages
Mapy.cz – Excellent free app with terrain and trail overlays
Gaia GPS – Advanced topo and offline navigation
HexaTrek GPX Files – Download the full route
Getting There
By Plane
Fly into Strasbourg or Basel-Mulhouse for the northern start. Fly out of Biarritz or Pau near Hendaye for the finish. There is also excellent public transit to get to other larger airports for cheaper flights. You can typically find these connections on google maps or RometoRio. The transit is usually posted in the small stops since these are small villages typically.
By Car
There’s limited parking near the start in Wissembourg. Most hikers use trains, as the terminus is just a couple of kilometres from the train station.
By Train/Bus
France has excellent public transport. Start in Wissembourg (take a train from Strasbourg). End in Hendaye, which connects to major cities via train or bus.
Trailheads
Start: Wissembourg (NE France, near German border)
Finish: Hendaye (on the Atlantic coast near Spain)
Both are accessible via train.
Favorite Spot
Chamonix was a beautiful and vibrant city that is worth spending a few days. It’s not cheap, but it’s worth seeing the glacier and maybe even taking the cable car to view Mont Blanc. There are hundreds of hikers and bikers filling the city, and lots of outdoor gear shops to replace shoes or worn out gear.
Regulations
Follow Leave No Trace (LNT) principles.
Dogs are allowed in about 80% of the trail, but are restricted in some national parks. See our article on Hiking with Your Dog for more on doing this safely.
Wild camping is allowed.
Drones are not allowed in national parks.
Group size: under six is best for LNT.
In some zones, fires are banned year-round—bring a stove.
Avoid walking through farmland unless it’s clearly a public trail or stated on the map.
Resupply
Roughly every 3–6 days, with a few longer food carries in the Alps and Pyrenees. French villages often have bakeries, small grocery stores, and tabacs with snacks. The trail typically walks right through resupply points, but occasionally you may need to hitch into a town. Hitching was easy and safe.
Camping
Wild camping is generally accepted in the mountains, away from roads or villages. Some areas have refuges, cabanes, or shelters marked on the HexaTrek app. Avoid camping in farmland without permission.
Water Planning
Water is plentiful in the Vosges, Jura, and Alps regions.
Water is scarce in the south (Stages 4–5)—plan water carries of up to 30 km (19 mi).
Use Mapy.cz and the HexaTrek app to identify streams and springs.
Bring a filter or purifier—water often comes from rural/livestock areas. Springs however are typically well-marked and don’t require filtering.
Bears and Food Storage
No bears! But you will encounter plenty of cows and some wild boars. I kept my food in my tent in my backpack for the entire trail with no issue.
Side Trips
Mont Blanc
Option to kayak 24 km (15 mi) of the trail in Stage 4
Gorges du Tarn swim spots. This section of trail follows the river and has many popular swimming holes.
Ten 3,000-meter (9,843-foot) peaks are accessible from the trail
Variations
Most hike the trail north to south. Going south to north can mean hitting snow earlier and tougher hiking in the beginning. Some hikers choose to do just one or two stages, especially the Alps or Pyrenees.
The HexaTrek app provides a few alternative routes for you to choose from. This will often be to avoid a particularly technical section or reroute around snow. These will be well-labeled in the app.
Gear Rentals
Gear rentals are available in Chamonix or Briançon. You can also find resupply gear at Decathlon stores throughout France. Fuel canisters are available at shops along the route, except for in stage 4.
Gear List
| CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN GEAR | OUR PICK | OTHER OPTIONS |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Essentials | ||
| Day pack | Pingora Lucid 20 Day Pack | Best Day Packs for Hiking |
| Headlamp | Petzl Actik Core Headlamp | Best (and Brightest) Headlamps |
| Clothing | ||
| Trail runners | La Sportiva Prodigio Trail-Running Shoes Men's Women's |
Women's Best Trail Running Shoes Best Men's Trail Running Shoes |
When selecting my gear for the HexaTrek, I focused on keeping things lightweight, reliable, and versatile. I needed a setup that could handle varied terrain without weighing me down. I leaned on ultralight but durable staples like the Big Agnes Tiger Wall Carbon tent and the Hyperlite Mountain Gear backpack to keep my base weight low while still offering enough comfort and protection for a long hike.
Every piece of gear had to serve a purpose. I chose tried-and-true items I’ve used on previous thru-hikes, like the Enlightened Equipment Revelation quilt and Altra Lone Peak shoes, because I know they work for my hiking style and body.
I also prioritized compact, multi-purpose gear like the Sea to Summit collapsible cup and the Garmin InReach Mini for space-saving efficiency and on-trail safety.
Nearly every item I used on my thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail would work for this hike. The only thing I changed from my hike of the PCT was my backpack, but that’s simply because I didn’t like the way it fit.
Temperature and Weather on the HexaTrek: What to Consider
One of the biggest challenges on the HexaTrek is the wide range of temperatures and unpredictable weather. You pass through the Vosges, Jura, Alps, and Pyrenees, each with their own climate zones. In the mountains, temperatures can drop quickly, even in summer, and rainstorms or snow at higher elevations are not uncommon. In contrast, southern sections and stretches toward the coast can be hot and humid.
To prepare for this variability, I selected a 10°F quilt to handle colder alpine nights and paired it with an insulated sleeping pad for extra warmth. You could definitely get away with a 20°F bag or quilt but I chose to use what I already owned.
My Montbell Superior Down Parka is lightweight but warm enough for chilly evenings and early mornings, while the Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket offers nearly enough rain protection without adding bulk.
The weather on the HexaTrek demands flexibility. You need gear that can handle cold and windy mountain passes, wet conditions, and hot valley stretches all in the same week. It’s a balancing act between being prepared for the worst and not overpacking, and I curated my kit to hit that sweet spot.
About the Author
Lauren Roerick is a Canadian long-distance hiker and content creator encouraging women to get out in the wilderness. She has hiked over 10,000 km across trails including the Pacific Crest Trail, Te Araroa, and the HexaTrek. She was the first North American woman to complete the HexaTrek in 2023 and shares trail stories, guides, and videos on YouTube and Instagram. She has written a complete guide on hiking the HexaTrek available on her website.
