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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.

With a pounding heart and 952 skulls: the many faces of Niš

Published on 4 April 202611 May 2026 by Marnix van der LijnLeave a comment

Day 12: The Sultans Trail from Belgrade to Sofia #throwback September 16, 2026 Forty-five minutes with eyes wide open and a pounding heart “Are you never scared?” a follower asks me. A question I get… Lees meer…

Tags long-distance hike, Serbia, SultansTrail

No longer 18: the art of nixing and listening well to my body.

Published on 3 April 202611 May 2026 by Marnix van der LijnLeave a comment

Day 11: The Sultans Trail from Belgrade to Sofia #reflection September 15, 2025 I’m no longer 18… Okay, I regret to admit that I am no longer 18. I have asked too much of my… Lees meer…

Tags langeafstandswandeling, Servië, SultansTrail, wildkamperen

Between piglets and an angry waiter: from rooster crowing to the Great Morava.

Published on 1 April 202611 May 2026 by Marnix van der LijnLeave a comment

Day 10: The Sultans Trail from Belgrade to Sofia #reflection September 14, 2025 A record start among the roosters Today I break my personal record for getting up early. Yes, I can do it! By… Lees meer…

Tags langeafstandswandeling, Servië, SultansTrail, Wheelie

Not Texas Chainsaw Massacre, but Serbian coffee grounds: my day in Despotovac

Published on 30 March 202611 May 2026 by Marnix van der LijnLeave a comment

Day 9: The Sultans Trail from Belgrade to Sofia #lookback September 13, 2025 Wild camping in a cornfield At night, the rain is gentle. There is no sound as zen as the soft raindrops on… Lees meer…

Tags langeafstandswandeling, Servië, SultansTrail, wildkamperen

From Monopoly money to cornfield: honesty and discomfort in Serbia

Published on 29 March 202611 May 2026 by Marnix van der LijnLeave a comment

Day 8: The Sultans Trail from Belgrade to Sofia #flashback September 12, 2025 Honest people and an overly expensive taxi The rest day does me good. I even run short on time. From Smederevo, I… Lees meer…

Tags langeafstandswandeling, Servië, SultansTrail, wildkamperen
Sultans Trail Smederevo Saint John Church

Coffee, church, and cocooning: the art of idling in Smederevo

Published on 28 March 202618 April 2026 by Marnix van der LijnLeave a comment

Day 7: The Sultans Trail from Belgrade to Sofia #flashback September 11, 2025 Rest A rest day today! I booked a room for two days in the town of Smederevo, famous for its massive medieval… Lees meer…

Tags long-distance hike, Serbia, SultansTrail

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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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