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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.

The Twelve Village Trail

Published on 7 October 2026 by Marnix van der LijnLeave a comment

Sweltering and suffocating Even just in my boxer shorts and without a blanket over me, I’m barely making it through the night at the inn. I had somewhat forgotten, but Spaniards, and thus also Portuguese,… Lees meer…

Tags AldeiasHistoricasPortugal, GR22, langeafstandswandeling, longdistancetrail, Portugal, Wildcamping, wildkamperen

Question 4: What do you do if you get sick on the road?

Published on 6 October 2026 by Marnix van der LijnLeave a comment

No idea! I try to live in the moment as much as possible and I won’t worry about problems in the future that might not even happen. That means worrying twice. I’m really not going… Lees meer…

Tags information, Questions don’t cost a thing

Here we go again, on to Portugal

Published on 6 October 2026 by Marnix van der LijnLeave a comment

I can go again! Yay, it’s finally time to hit the road again. Heading south now, because those who know me are aware: there’s always something to experience, but I have two strict conditions: I… Lees meer…

Tags AldeiasHistoricasPortugal, GR22, langeafstandswandeling, longdistancetrail, Portugal

Question 3: If you didn’t have a phone or internet, would you have embarked on this life adventure?

Published on 27 September 2026 by Marnix van der LijnLeave a comment

Yes, I am convinced of that. I would probably have gotten lost much more often and encountered more challenges along the way. I have two traits that are incredibly inconvenient for a long-distance hiker. First… Lees meer…

Tags information

The sound of the Camino

Published on 25 September 202625 September 2026 by Marnix van der LijnLeave a comment

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Dutch Society of Saint James, there was a writing competition. Through the website, interested individuals were invited to write a story of up to 2000 words… Lees meer…

Tags Information, information

Grande Rota das Aldeias Históricas de Portugal

Published on 21 September 2026 by Marnix van der LijnLeave a comment

New destination After more than four months of hiking through Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, and now a few weeks back in the Netherlands, it’s time for a new adventure and I’ve made up my mind!… Lees meer…

Tags GR22, Information, langeafstandswandeling, Portugal

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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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