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FOOTSTEPS OF FREEDOM

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Author: Marnix van der Lijn

Ik ben Marnix (1964), schrijver, langeafstandswandelaar en minimalist in hart en nieren. Na een loopbaan in de commerciële wereld, coaching en training, en jarenlange inzet in de vluchtelingenopvang, koos ik op mijn zestigste voor een radicale wending: ik gaf mezelf een sabbatical en trok de wereld in – te voet. Wat begon als een plan om 10.000 kilometer door Europa te wandelen, groeide uit tot iets veel groters: een nieuwe manier van leven. In negen maanden legde ik meer dan 5.500 kilometer af, met alleen mijn tent, schrijfboek, wandelkar (die ik liefdevol ‘Wheelie’ noem) en mijn barefoot schoenen. Al lopend ontdekte ik dat dit mijn pad is: een nomadisch bestaan, schrijvend onderweg. Ik geloof in het ritme van de voeten, in eenvoud, traagheid en aanwezigheid. Reizen zonder haast, leven met weinig, en onderweg de verhalen vangen die zich aandienen. Mijn missie? De schoonheid van vertraging, vrijheid en verbondenheid tastbaar maken in woorden. Ik bén onderweg. En daar voel ik me thuis.

Packed like sardines at the Wassenaar campsite and how my tent became my home again

Published on 16 April 202617 April 2026 by Marnix van der LijnLeave a comment

The beehive of Duinhorst After the grueling trek through the loose sand, I pitch my tent at Camping Duinhorst in Wassenaar. Everything is right here: neat fields, spotless sanitary buildings, friendly people at the reception.… Lees meer…

Tags long-distance hike, Netherlands

Five sheets of paper and loose sand: my new life begins

Published on 15 April 20262 May 2026 by Marnix van der LijnLeave a comment

Detoxing from office life Two weeks have passed since my farewell at work. Strange weeks. First, the overwhelming fatigue, as if my body finally dared to let go. Then the detox from office life, and… Lees meer…

Tags long-distance hike, Netherlands, Wheelie

Diesel on the highway: coffee stains and the crossing into Bulgaria

Published on 14 April 20262 May 2026 by Marnix van der LijnLeave a comment

Day 18: The Sultans Trail from Belgrade to Sofia #flashback: September 22, 2025 Startup problems and an unwanted shower After two nights of fantastic sleep in my green room in Dimitrovgrad, I set off again… Lees meer…

Tags Bulgarije, long-distance hike, Serbia, SultansTrail, wildkamperen

A little gift in Dimitrovgrad: rest in a cool cocoon

Published on 13 April 202618 April 2026 by Marnix van der LijnLeave a comment

Day 17: the Sultans Trail from Belgrade to Sofia #throwback September 21, 2026 Sleeping in the last century I arrived at the guesthouse in the pitch dark yesterday. For a moment, I thought I’d found… Lees meer…

Tags long-distance hike, Serbia, SultansTrail

The luck of a forgotten Snickers and the curse of the shorter path

Published on 10 April 202623 May 2026 by Marnix van der LijnLeave a comment

Day 16: the Sultans Trail from Belgrade to Sofia #reflection September 20, 2025 silence by the river and a second breakfast At 8 o’clock, I leave Sanja’s place, who doesn’t even come to wave me… Lees meer…

Tags langeafstandswandeling, Servië, SultansTrail

“Bravo!” on the trail and a “one-night stand” at Sanja’s

Published on 9 April 202618 April 2026 by Marnix van der LijnLeave a comment

Day 15: The Sultans Trail from Belgrade to Sofia #throwback September 19, 2025 Breakfast at 10 degrees After an incredibly wonderful night’s sleep in my tent—I was already asleep before 9:00 PM—I head out at… Lees meer…

Tags long-distance hike, Serbia, SultansTrail, Wheelie

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About Marnix

Marnix Footsteps of FreedomFrom May 2024 through January 2025, I hiked for nine months and 5,500 km across Sweden, Norway, Spain and Portugal. I came to the conclusion that this is how I want to live.

And so it happened… As of mid-May 2026, I am living a nomadic writing and hiking life in my tent, with my walking trailer and in barefoot shoes.

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