Via Bulgarica – The Bulgarian Adventure Trail

It’s never too late to do something special. 

"Via Bulgarica – 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 the backpacking trip will showcase not only the most popular places but also lesser-known regions, mountains, nature, historical sites, local cuisine and dishes, traditions, and more.

Following the successful completion of the Via Adriatica Trail in Croatia, it is now time to map out a completely new trail. It is time for Bulgaria, a country so beloved and frequently visited by whole families in the 1990s.

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

For those who followed my adventures in the Croatian mountains, I’d like to remind you that a personal ID number is just a number on a document.

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

Whether my adventure in Bulgaria will last two weeks or two months, I don’t know yet. However, I am convinced that it will be another incredible adventure. Planned start at the turn of summer and autumn 2026.

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

Preparations are underway, and in the meantime, 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 after covering 1,237 km and 1,673,000 steps, I reached the tip of Cape Prevlaka at noon on Sunday 6 July 2025. The whole journey took me 67 days. The journey wasmade exclusively on foot, with all the necessary equipment and provisions in my rucksack. Fires, downpours, storms and heatwaves were a daily companion, as I carried a load weighing between 18 and even 25 kg on my back, depending on the section and the provisions and water required. 

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 covering the distance in complete silence, but about showing as much as possible during the hike. Showing the unique natural scenery, historical sites, towns, villages, national parks, natural phenomena, well-known places and those hidden in the thicket of greenery or high up in the mountains. I also wanted to highlight everything one should be aware of when venturing into the wilds of the interior, such as venomous spiders, bears, jackals or 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 and 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 have 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, leading 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 difficult trail in Croatia and one of the most difficult in Europe.

The first Polish completion of the Via Adriatica trail, solo, without external support or assistance. After setting off on 1 May from Pula and then from Cape Kamenjak, and after covering 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 with a rucksack and tent along the Golden Loop of the Kłodzko Region:

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

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

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

 I developed 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 from my travels.

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 – Tatra Mountains.

I have been involved in photography, the mountains and travel for over 40 years. For more than a decade, I have been professionally involved in projects related to active tourism, travel reportage, 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 Śródziemie Travellers’ Club portal — one of Poland’s largest independent travel portals offering original and expert content. I have been running the portal continuously since 2008, and the published content has already achieved tens of millions of page views.

I specialise in mountain tourism, long-distance trekking, geotourism, underground tourism, 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 materials are published daily in the national press and media, school publications, educational and scientific journals, catalogues, albums and online media.

In my work, I have completed 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 Tatras.

Since the start 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 this 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.