Author(s): Claire McCall

Travel Writing

In May 2022, Kiwi journalist Claire McCall and her partner set off on an epic walking adventure to tackle a freshly minted long-distance trail called the Hexatrek in its pioneer year. The 3034km route connects the highest, most spectacular mountains and national parks in France and travels through the Vosges, the Alps, the Écrins and the Pyrenees among others.

The book is a frank account of the physical and mental journey: a tale of two almost over-the-hill people trying to get over a fair few more. It’s a story of highs and lows, miles and milestones, of once-in-a-lifetimes and never-agains.

With a total elevation of 136,000 metres this is no Camino-style pilgrimage. Rather, it could be likened to New Zealand’s own Te Araroa trail or the Pacific Crest Trail which follows the west coast of the US.

Progressing step-by-step south from the starting point in Alsace on the border of Germany, this is a travelogue of the body and mind. Walking in the footsteps of history and along the precipitous ridges of time, it is also an examination of the human condition – the need to challenge ourselves, and the nature of success and failure. It’s about acknowledging that life sometimes pushes you close to the edge and learning that, even in middle age, battling stubbornly upwards is sometimes easier than coasting down.

Claire writes with a wry, gentle humour and a refreshing honesty about this great Gallic adventure. It’s an awesome (in the true sense of the word) tale of climbing peaks, appreciating the valleys, finding fondues, making friends, navigating cranky cows and ultimately going the distance in one way or another.

About the author:

Claire McCall is a freelance journalist and author based in Tamaki Makaurau who specialises in writing about architecture and design but also sometimes ventures off the beaten path –and can’t help but write about that, too. This former magazine editor was born in South Africa and grew up in Johannesburg where she at first trained to be an advertising copywriter before the longer, narrative form of writing grabbed her imagination. Determined to pack in as many hiking challenges before her get up and go, well, gets up and goes, she has also climbed Kilimanjaro and has completed all but one of Aotearoa’s Great Walks. Claire is the author of two previous books: Discover New Zealand Food, published by Chanel Publishers, and Green Modern: Eco-Conscious Contemporary New Zealand Homes, published by Penguin NZ.