A dream turned necessity
The idea of a great adventure had accompanied Joachim for a long time. But it was a change in his life that pushed him to turn this project into reality. “I had always dreamed of a great crossing,” he says. With the HexaTrek, he found the perfect playground: nearly 3,000 kilometers to cover, and the chance to give new momentum to his personal and athletic journey.
What is the HexaTrek?
The HexaTrek is the great crossing of France through its mountains: 3,035 km, 147,000 m of elevation gain, 14 natural parks crossed and 47 GR® trails used, all stitched into one route, from Wissembourg (Vosges) to Hendaye (Pyrénées-Atlantiques). A young yet already iconic trek, it attracts more adventurers each year—some for the full route, others for sections.
82 days to become a finisher
Raidlight ambassador, the Belgian Joachim Lefevre completed the entire route between June 15 and September 10, 2025. Experienced in ultra-distance events (SwissPeaks 360, No Finish Line Brussels – 350 km), he admits that the HexaTrek is “a challenge of another dimension”:
“I had planned to go faster... but the heatwave and storms reminded me that on 3,000 km, it’s not you who decides. This trail taught me patience and letting go.”
Over 82 days, he faced extreme weather: two heatwaves, torrential rains, hail in the Mont Blanc massif, and even -4 °C at the Miage refuge. Alpine passes, steep trails, Pyrenean storms, freezing nights in a tent… the obstacles multiplied but never stopped him. More than the effort, it was the human dimension that marked him: improvised shelters, help from “trail angels,” and unexpected encounters. “The human side, I hadn’t imagined it at all. It added so many beautiful colors to the adventure.”
More than a sporting feat, a school of resilience
The HexaTrek was not only a physical performance for Joachim Lefevre, it became a true school of resilience. Day after day, he learned to slow down, change perspective, and welcome the unexpected. “At first, I thought about performance. Then one day I realized what I would remember wasn’t the extra kilometers, but the encounters, the stories shared, the detours that give meaning.”
This shift in mindset transformed his adventure: less about chasing time, more about human and inner experience. It will give birth to a documentary entitled And After, where Joachim reflects on his journey and the sacrifices required for such a crossing.
Raidlight equipment serving ultra-distance
Throughout the adventure, Raidlight supported Joachim in his challenge. Far from just material support, the relationship was built in a true spirit of collaboration: sending parcels along the route, delivering shoes (three pairs in total), and providing logistical help at key moments.
To face this challenge, Joachim relied on a setup designed for autonomy and lightness:
- Ultralight MP+ Jacket: protection against rain and high-altitude storms.
- Ultra DryLight Shirt: comfort and quick-drying over long distances.
- Filtering Flasks: essential for drinking directly from rivers.
- Z-Carbon Poles: save energy in long alpine passes.
- Ultra 4 Shoes: more than 3,000 km on all terrains.
At Raidlight, we believe that you don’t need to be the fastest to be great. What matters is having the courage to go all the way. Joachim embodies this philosophy: that of “the brand for all finishers”.
And what if, instead of chasing distant adventures, we rediscovered France differently?
Whether in full or in sections, the HexaTrek is an invitation to walk far, to explore, to slow down, and to be transformed by the path.
👉 Coming soon: the documentary And After by Joachim Lefevre.
