Day 1 and Day 2
On 31 May, that’s it. I reach the starting point of the HexaTrek, on a small path on the outskirts of Wissembourg, where a letterbox marks kilometre zero. When I arrive, the letterbox is lying on the ground. Believe it or not, I arrive on the exact day, hour, minute and second of the year when the founders decided to renovate the letterbox.
At that very moment, I am lucky enough to meet William, the co founder of the HexaTrek. Laughing, he tells me that I will probably have the most original starting photo, holding the letterbox in my hands. Don’t worry, I left it there.
After a lovely chat, I set off at 1 p.m. with a fast pace, a little too fast as you will see 😅, for the first kilometres of the trail. After crossing the town of Wissembourg, I take my first steps into the forest. Music in my ears, I walk at a speed between 5 and 6 km per hour on a trail that feels very easy, both technically and physically.
After two hours, I meet my first German hiker, who is crossing the Vosges. I match her brisk pace and we walk together for several hours, chatting about our adventures all over the world.
Around 5.30 p.m., I finally pitch my tent on the Krappenfells Rock, with a view of Fleckenstein Castle. A small meal of pasta, pesto, sausage and cheese, the dish that will follow me for the next five months 😉, which I eat while taking in the view. This is followed by a night completely free of fear, which surprises me as I am usually not at all comfortable sleeping alone in the middle of the forest. All I feel is happiness at being back in nature.
The next morning, I realise my mistake of having started too fast when my Achilles tendon cracks with the slightest movement. Day two and already tendon irritation. A new personal record for the speed of injury, even though I am used to long distance hiking. Well, that’s life.
I cannot stay where I am, as I have no water left. I put my boot on while grimacing and walk several kilometres along the trail until I reach a village. At least the pain eases after a few minutes and I am able to enjoy the rest of the morning.
This day is a succession of castles and ruins. It is truly surprising to see these ruins rising up in the middle of the forest.
When I arrive in town, my tendon is really not happy. Two other HexaTrekkers help me by giving me a homemade anti inflammatory cream.
I resign myself to hitchhiking to reach a small campsite in Niederbronn les Bains. An employee from a hotel kindly gives me a lift to the campsite.
Days 2 and 3
After consulting my physiotherapist and osteopaths, I decide to rest until the pain disappears so as not to carry an injury for five months of hiking. It is frustrating for this to happen right at the start of the trail, but there is nothing I can do.
I am deeply grateful for people’s kindness. A woman at the campsite gives me all of her anti inflammatory cream, a local osteopath gives me sports tape and shows me how to apply a bandage, and I spend the evening with a group of Germans who offer me wine, sausage and cheese. The next day, André and Hugo join me in the afternoon and we spend the evening together.
Day 4
This morning, I wake up and just like that, the pain is gone. Only a small crack remains, and then nothing. I decide to play it safe and take a second rest day to strengthen my tendon. Tomorrow, I will finally be able to start again very gradually 😊.
I test my foot a little by going into town, as I had run out of food anyway, and I take the opportunity to meet six new HexaTrekkers who are taking a coffee break in town. Hopefully I will see all these wonderful people again soon.
