Courant d'Huchet

The courant is one of the last free-flowing streams of its kind on the Landes coast, carrying water about ten kilometres from the Etang de Leon to the Atlantic through a corridor of alder, oak and willow that closes overhead. The undergrowth is dense with ferns, cyperus and, unusually for this latitude, hibiscus growing wild along the banks, which is why people call it jungle-like. It is a national nature reserve, and the only way through is in a flat-bottomed galupe pushed and steered by a licensed boatman; private craft are prohibited. Otters, herons and terrapins live along it. Trips of one, two or four hours are run.

What you actually see

• The green corridor - a river roofed by alder and oak for kilometres.
• The wild hibiscus - flowering shrubs along the banks in summer.
• The galupes - flat-bottomed boats punted by licensed boatmen.
• The wildlife - otters, herons and terrapins in the reserve.

When to go

May to September, with hibiscus flowering in summer; the reserve restricts boat numbers and trips must be booked. Water level and weather can cancel departures.

Honest expectations

Only guided trips are allowed and they book out in August. Longer trips involve sitting still for hours with insects about. The reserve rules prohibit landing anywhere.

Nearby

Leon lies at the lake end; Hossegor is south along the coast.