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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.

Nocturnal Panic at 4 Degrees and the Luxury of a Wooden Sleep Barrel

Published on 22 May 202623 May 2026 by Marnix van der LijnLeave a comment

Fleece, a rain jacket, and 4 degrees After a sleepless night on the bus, I fall asleep like a log well before ten following an enjoyable conversation with Nico, the German world cyclist. At 1:00… Lees meer…

Tags Denemarken, Denmark, Haervejen, langeafstandswandeling, Wildcamping, wildkamperen

Radar deception and a bag of chips out of frustration: My false start on the Hærvejen.

Published on 20 May 202623 May 2026 by Marnix van der LijnLeave a comment

Another duo with Wheelie After getting off the bus, I reassemble Wheelie. During a bus ride, the cart is easy to take along. In no time, you can take off the wheels and rods, leaving… Lees meer…

Tags Denemarken, Haervejen, langeafstandswandeling, Wheelie, wildkamperen

Nightly drama in the FlixBus: My journey to the Hærvejen

Published on 19 May 202619 May 2026 by Marnix van der LijnLeave a comment

Sitting on the thorns And then the moment arrives: the departure day, May 15, 2026. As often, I’ve miscalculated how much time various tasks will take, and it turns out to be stressful after all.… Lees meer…

Tags Denemarken, Haervejen, Hiking, langeafstandswandeling

I am leaving: My new life begins on the Hærvejen

Published on 17 May 202618 May 2026 by Marnix van der LijnLeave a comment

And then the day has come, May 15, I will depart. My life as a wandering and writing nomad can begin! A 10-hour bus ride to the Danish border I have decided to start in… Lees meer…

Tags Denmark, Haervejen, longdistancetrail

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

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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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