7 leçons que j’ai apprises grâce à l’HexaTrek

The HexaTrek wasn’t my first long trek, but it offered me its share of learning experiences. Some thoughts had already emerged on other trails, but this adventure deepened them, anchored them, and sometimes even transformed them. Here are just a few of the lessons I’ve learned, and which are now with me every day.

1. Goodwill Before Mistrust

The HexaTrek restored my faith in human nature. In the city, we are often on our guard; we look at others with caution, sometimes even distrust. Saying hello to a stranger in the street can elicit puzzled looks or a hesitant reaction. On the footpath, it is quite the opposite: we greet each other spontaneously, whether we know each other or not. Very often, these exchanges are followed by a smile, a word of encouragement, or a gesture of support. I witnessed countless acts of generosity from walkers and locals alike, and it changed the way I look at people. I realised that what we sometimes perceive as indifference or coldness is often only a misunderstanding or a protective reflex. The trail helped me to defuse some of my biases and to approach others with more confidence and openness.

2. There Is No Such Thing as a ‘Good’ or ‘Bad’ Job

This idea had already begun to take root in me, but it became stronger during the HexaTrek. I grew up with the belief, deeply rooted in our society, that certain professions are worth more than others, as if so-called prestigious jobs were a sign of greater success. On the trail, I met brilliant and passionate people who had studied hard and chosen to work in seasonal or unconventional jobs. Some alternated between short-term jobs and periods of travel. I realised that the value of a job does not lie in its title or salary, but in the balance it brings to one’s life. There is no single right path, only meaningful ones chosen with intention.

3. Life Never Follows Its Original Plan

The HexaTrek is a masterclass in the unexpected. You plan your itinerary, your distance, your perfect weather, and very quickly, everything changes. An injury, a storm, or an invitation can change everything, and you have to adapt. Injured on the second day, I had to hitch a ride for some small sections. What I first saw as a setback became an opportunity; I made unforgettable encounters, shared warm moments, and built friendships that still last today. By agreeing to slow down, I met people I would never have met otherwise. I sometimes ended my day early to accept an invitation from locals, to share a meal, or simply to rest. One of the most memorable experiences was that of an 80-year-old man who, after picking me up while hitchhiking, drove two extra hours to show me a landscape I would have missed. This experience taught me that, by letting go of the perfect plan, you open yourself to experiences far richer than anything you could have expected.
En acceptant de ralentir, j’ai croisé des personnes que je n’aurais jamais rencontrées autrement. J’ai parfois écourté mes journées pour répondre à une invitation, partager un repas, ou simplement prendre soin de moi. Une des expériences les plus marquantes : ce monsieur de 80 ans qui, après m’avoir pris en auto-stop après mon malaise, a conduit deux heures de plus pour me montrer un paysage que j’avais manqué. Tout cela m’a appris qu’en restant souple, en lâchant prise sur le « plan parfait », on s’ouvre à des expériences encore plus belles que prévu.

4. Stopping to Measure Your Chances

The year 2024 was marked by capricious weather: incessant rain, late snow, and mists hiding the long-awaited panoramas. I also had injuries that forced me to skip nearly 200 kilometres of trail. At first, a small voice whispered, ‘It’s not fair.’ But I took a step back. I realised how lucky I was to have the health, time, and means to go on this adventure. Even with setbacks, what I experienced was extraordinary. We always want to see more and to go further, but the essential is to recognise the value of what we already have, here and now.

5. Sharing Amplifies Happiness

On the HexaTrek, human connections take on a unique strength. Living this adventure with other hikers creates deep bonds; you share the same challenges, joys, and wonders. In difficult moments, being able to talk to someone who truly understands makes all the difference.
I discovered that sharing even the simplest experiences, such as a sunrise, a meal, or a storm in a tent, multiplies happiness. We laugh louder, live more intensely, and these shared moments become the most precious memories of all.

6. Work to Live, Not Live to Work

The HexaTrek brought me back to the essentials. I realised that happiness, for me, lies in simplicity: walking, eating, sleeping, being in nature, and connecting with others. I came back determined to prioritise what I really need, to live more simply, and to work in a way that supports this lifestyle rather than to accumulate possessions. This journey reinforced my belief that material comfort is meaningless without mental comfort, and that a life aligned with one’s values is the greatest success of all.

7. Having More Probably Will Not Make You Happier

On the trail, I learned how relative happiness is. In everyday life, I rarely feel joy when drinking water or taking a shower; those moments are so ordinary they go unnoticed.

But after hours of walking under a scorching sun, or losing all my energy through sweat, taking a sip of water or feeling it run over my skin in a shower was pure bliss, deep and almost euphoric happiness.

I understood then why those who live in constant abundance are not necessarily happier. When life is filled with comfort and predictability, even pleasure becomes routine, and what is routine stops moving us.