Via Bulgarica – The Bulgarian Adventure Trail

It’s never too late to do something special. 

“Via Bulgarica – The Bulgarian Adventure Trail” – a trail promoting the natural, historical and cultural attractions of mainland Bulgaria.

The trail promises to be very attractive and multifaceted, and a backpacking trip will allow us to showcase not only the most popular places, but also lesser-known regions, mountains, nature, historical sites, local cuisine and dishes, traditions, and so on.

Following a successful hike along the Via Adriatica Trail in Croatia, it is now time to map out a completely new trail. It’s time for Bulgaria, a country so beloved and so popular with whole families in the 1990s.

I’ll try to showcase the natural, historical and cultural attractions of mainland Bulgaria.

For those who have been following my adventures in the Croatian mountains, let me remind you that your personal identification number is just a number on your ID card.

Don’t put anything off until later and don’t say it’s already too late for something…

Whether my adventure in Bulgaria will last two weeks or two months, I don’t know yet. I’m convinced, however, that it will be another incredible adventure. Planned to start in autumn 2026.

Of course, a tent, photo and video kit, and a backpack that’s far too heavy – well, I’ve got to get a bit of a workout, after all

Preparations are underway, and in the meantime, I’ll be going on a few other shorter trips to the mountains of Europe.

In 2025, I completed the entire Via Adriatica Trail.

From 1 May to 7 July 2025, I became the first Pole to complete the most difficult trail in Croatia and one of the most difficult in Europe.

 The first Polish completion ofthe Via Adriatica Trail, solo, without external assistance or support. Having set off on 1 May from Pula and then from Cape Kamenjak, and having covered 1,237 km and 1,673,000 steps, on Sunday 6 July 2025 at high noon, I reached the tip of Cape Prevlaka. The whole journey took me 67 days. I completedthe trek entirely on foot, carrying all the necessary equipment and provisions in my rucksack. Fires, downpours, storms and heatwaves were my daily companions as I carried a load weighing between 18 and even 25 kg on my back, depending on the section of the route and the provisions and water I needed. 

Yes, I know there are a few people who tackle exceptional long-distance trails covering much longer distances. In my case, it wasn’t just about completing the journey in complete silence, but about seeing as much as possible along the way. To showcase the unique natural scenery, historical monuments, towns, villages, national parks, natural phenomena, and places both well-known and those hidden away in the thicket of greenery or high up in the mountains. I also wanted to highlight everything one needs to be aware of when venturing into the wilds of the interior, such as poisonous spiders, bears, jackals and rhinoceros vipers, which are a constant feature of less popular mountainous areas.

Now it’s time for another exceptional trail

Age is just a number; it’s all in our heads...

Here you can follow my activities day by day, frame by frame:

https://www.facebook.com/marciniak.albin

#ViaBulgarica #BulgarianAdventureTrail #Bulgaria #Bulgary #ViaBulgaricaBulgarianAdventureTrail

https://www.klubpodroznikow.com/relacje/europa/bulgaria/

I’ve been very active for many years. I hike in the mountains of Europe, and survival holds no secrets for me.

In 2022, I completed the toughest edition of the Highlander, which led through the rugged mountains of the United Arab Emirates:

https://www.klubpodroznikow.com/highlander-gorska-przygoda-zycia-kalendarz-2023/

Between 1 May and 7 July 2025, I became the first Pole to complete the most challenging trail in Croatia and one of the most challenging in Europe.

The first Polish completion of the Via Adriatica trail, solo, without external support or assistance. Having set off on 1 May from Pula and then from Cape Kamenjak, and having covered 1,237 km

https://www.klubpodroznikow.com/chorwacka-przygoda-szlakiem-via-adriatica/

In collaboration with the Lower Silesian Tourist Organisation, I planned, marked out and completed a solo hike, carrying a rucksack and a tent, along the Golden Loop of the Kłodzko Region:

https://www.klubpodroznikow.com/zlota-petla-ziemi-klodzkiej-najwieksze-atrakcje/

Also in collaboration with the Lower Silesian Tourist Organisation, I became the first Pole to complete the international Via Sacra trail:

https://www.klubpodroznikow.com/via-sacra-odkryj-dolny-slask-pieszo-w-rytmie-ciszy-i-natury/

 I devised and marked out

the “Małopolska cycle route: Castles in the Dunajec Valley”.

https://www.klubpodroznikow.com/malopolski-szlak-rowerowy-zamki-w-dolinie-dunajca/

 In 2024, the ‘Castles in the Dunajec Valley’ Cycle Route won the Polish ‘Tourist Treasures of Małopolska’ competition in the ‘Most Interesting Tourist Route’ category.

About me

Since 2008, I have been running a travel website, sharing my adventures and experiences whilst travelling.

The Middle-earth Travellers’ Club

https://klubpodroznikow.com/

Photojournalist for the European photo agency East News https://www.eastnews.pl

Since 2011, I have been organising a series of educational and environmental campaigns called ‘Clean Mountains, Clean Trails’

In 2012, I organised and led the Largest Clean-up of the Tatra Mountains in History – “Clean Tatras 2012”

I am the author of maps and guidebooks, including: ‘Poland for the Weekend’, ‘Castles in Poland’, ‘Tourist Underground Sites in Poland’ and ‘Orla Perć – The Tatras’.

I have been involved in photography, mountaineering and travel for over 40 years. For over a dozen years, I have been professionally involved in projects related to active tourism, travel reporting, photographic documentation and the promotion of regions and tourist trails in Poland, Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.

I am the founder and author of the ‘Klub Podróżników Śródziemie’ website — one of Poland’s largest independent travel portals, offering original and expert content. I have been running the website continuously since 2008, and the content published there has already attracted tens of millions of page views.

I specialise in mountain tourism, long-distance trekking, geotourism, underground tourist attractions, and projects related to the natural and cultural heritage of Central Europe and the Balkans. For many years, I have been developing, documenting and personally testing trails and tourism products, combining field experience with media and photography work.

I am a photojournalist for the international photo agency East News. My photographs and articles are published daily in the national press and media, school publications, educational and academic journals, catalogues, albums and online media.

In the course of my work, I have carried out numerous projects with high media and promotional potential, including the first Polish completion of the Via Adriatica Trail in Croatia — one of Europe’s most demanding long-distance treks, stretching 1,237 kilometres.

I have also carried out projects for public institutions and tourism organisations, including:

• The Golden Loop of the Kłodzko Region,
• Via Sacra,
• Castles in the Dunajec Valley.

I am the author of maps, guidebooks and tourism projects dedicated to Poland and Europe, including:

• Castles in Poland,
• Tourist Underground Sites in Poland,
• Poland for the Weekend,
• Orla Perć – The Tatra Mountains.

Since the very beginning of my career, I have also been involved in social and environmental causes. In 2011, I created the educational and environmental project ‘Clean Mountains, Clean Trails’, and a year later I organised the largest clean-up of the Tatra Mountains in Polish history — ‘Clean Tatras 2012’ (and subsequently handed the project over to the Clean Poland association).

Most of my projects are based on authentic field experience. For many years, I have been travelling with a rucksack and a tent, documenting mountains, underground sites, trails and places that lie outside the mainstream of mass tourism.

My aim is to create independent, meaningful and long-term travel projects that combine reportage, photography, education and the promotion of Europe’s natural and cultural heritage.