“Instead of having a birthday cake for the big 7-5, I thought I'd walk 800 kilometres instead,” said Hesk, who marked the milestone birthday on Feb. 12.

Hesk and her 34-year-old granddaughter Melissa will walk half of the Camino Trail, an 800-kilometre stretch from St. Jean Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostela. It will take them about five weeks, sleeping in hostels along the way.

Hesk walked the same section of the Camino Trail two years ago. Five years earlier, Hesk walked the other half of the ancient pilgrimage route across northern Spain, from Le Puy, south of Lyon, to St. Jean Pied de Port.

This time, she is raising money for the Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice.

“It’s just the most amazing place,” said Hesk, who volunteers there twice a week.

“It touches my heart. It’s something that I’m very, very passionate about.”

Hesk, who was born in Clinton, Ont., and has lived in cities across Canada, came to Hamilton in 1964.

She said it was around that time she became somewhat of an adventurer.

The central Mountain resident is already thinking of what she can do for her 80th birthday.

“I could hike somewhere,” said Hesk. “I have no idea, but I’m not going to be sitting around.”

“I’ve decided I’m going to be a very healthy 100. I have a lot of living to do, a lot of plans.”

Anyone who wants to support Hesk on her journey can contact the Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice at 905-387-2448 to make a pledge. She plans to donate the money during the sixth annual Moonlight Walk on June 4.

Individuals and teams who want to participate in the Moonlight Walk can register at moonlitmemorywalk.ca .