Finistére (Bretagne, France)
“We are travelers who go through trials in foreign lands, grow through them and thus find ourselves.” - unknown
The sea heals. But it starts at the foot of the mountain. Well, you can’t call the Ménez-Hom a mountain. Not me. And probably not many others, especially those who have climbed real mountains. But once you’re at the top of this 330-metre-high mountain, it feels like you’re on a thousand-metre peak.
The wind blows so strongly that you can’t hear your own thoughts. The weather changes so quickly that we can’t even guess what will happen next. Rain or just wind or rain again? But whatever comes, it’s wonderful to be there.
We stop at the foot in an indentation. From there we take the only road up to the highest point. Every now and then we see other hikers, even a cyclist, but mostly we are alone. The surroundings consist of meadows, bushes and a few scattered trees towering over the landscape. It looks like a vast steppe. And although the nearest town is only a few kilometers away, it feels like we are in a faraway place.
I’m a completely different person, she says. Whenever we’re out on a hike, I’m relaxed and seem content and happy. She’s right, I’m a different person out here. I am a person of nature, I reply. I’ve always been one in my heart, but it’s only come to life here in Brittany. And yes, this is where I mostly feel alive.
We make our way back from the stormy summit. Away from the road over damp grass and paths paved with rough stones, up to another rise. From there we return to the car, past thorny bushes and through a section of forest destroyed by the storm, where we have to climb over fallen tree trunks or crawl under them.
At this point, it starts to rain again. But I don’t mind, because I’m happy to be here.
Activity: Walk to the Menez-Hom
Distance: 8 km
Total time: 3 h
Star/End: 48°12’36.8”N 4°14’34.3”W