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Lucy went for a hike
July 1, 2026 at 05:18
From Abri des Pecheurs Shelter to Villers-le-Lac
07:55
21.2km
2.7km/h
1,380m
1,340m
🥾 Hexatrek Day 20 🥾
Abri des Pecheurs Shelter to Villars-Le-Lac
We didn't have the great night's sleep in the hut on the hard floor, but it was at least dry!
We set off once again following the beautiful Doubs River through its dramatic gorges, but today's adventure quickly became far more exciting than expected!
Just 3km into the route we reached a landslide. The trail had been replaced by a steep slope of loose, shifting debris with a sheer drop into the gorge and river below. Pod managed to make it across, but after standing there for a while I completely psyched myself out. I knew if I attempted it without confidence, I'd be putting myself at real risk.
So instead, I turned around and took the only alternative - climbing almost 1,000ft back up the mountain, traversing across the top, then descending all the way back down again. An extra 3+ miles of walking instead of just 2km... not exactly what I'd planned!
The silver lining? The detour took me past the Grotte de Genier, a natural cave tucked into the limestone cliffs. Formed over thousands of years by water carving through the rock, it's one of the many fascinating geological features hidden within the Doubs valley.
After finally reuniting with Pod (who'd been patiently waiting over an hour for me!), we continued to the impressive Barrage du Châtelot. Built in the early 1900s, this hydroelectric dam spans the Franco-Swiss border and harnesses the power of the Doubs to generate renewable electricity. Standing beneath it really gives you an appreciation for its scale.
We also met the sweetest dog by the dam. She didn't seem to have an owner nearby, so she happily accepted some water and a biscuit before we discovered, thanks to a teacher leading a school trip, that she actually lives locally and takes herself out for a daily walk! Safe to say we were more than happy to receive plenty of kisses in return.
The day finished with two more incredible sights: the spectacular Saut du Doubs, where the waterfall plunges around 27 metres into a narrow gorge, and the stunning viewpoint over Lac des Brenets, a peaceful lake that forms part of the natural border between France and Switzerland.
Tonight we're in an apartment in Villars-le-Lac, which means a proper shower, clean clothes, recharged electronics, and hopefully no longer smelling like we've been living in the woods for three weeks!
Some days don't go to plan, but they often end up being the ones you remember most!
Waypoints
Route Details
Elevation
Highest point (1,000 m)
Lowest point (600 m)
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