A wild hike through Europe!
Hiking 7 200 kilometres from Bulgaria, through Europe to western Spain. It sounds like quite a challenge, but Jan Kozlowski and Eva Kaznelson from Germany thought they could handle even more. With their own NGO, they are collecting money for various projects across Europe. These projects support local communities, nature and other good things. The first three months of their Adventureland Europe have passed and 2 000 km of adventure lay behind them.
Please also read: Adventureland Europe: A 7200 km donation hike across Europe
Touching clouds in Central Balkan National Park
Crossing Bulgaria, Jan and Eva managed to pay a visit to Central Balkan National Park. The National Park hosts Central Balkan Wilderness, partner of the European Wilderness Network. The National Park management provided very helpful and appreciated support to accommodate them during the hike. Take a look at the following project, where you can donate for further development of sustainable tourism in this wild area.
We stay overnight at the ‘Rai’ refuge, which means ‘Paradise’. And indeed, it seems incredibly peaceful here, with a big waterfall in the background. As we ascent to the summit of Botev Peak (2 376m), the highest point in the National Park, we follow a steep, but regular trail upwards. While dark storm clouds and rolling thunder are approaching, we reach the highest point and are greeted by cows and horses.
As we continue our way towards Dobrila Hut, we reach the narrow mountain ridge. Being happy that the bad weather has cleared, we hang on to the steel cables to help us to get over the steep parts. But the reward is more than satisfying: incredible views on both sides, across some of Bulgaria’s wildest places.
Jan and Eva, Adventureland Europe
Crossing gorges in Romania
After Bulgaria, their hike takes Jan and Eva through Serbia to Romania. Here they encounter the wild and mythical places filled with wildlife. Read more about the project you can donate for, to support research on Lynx and Golden Jackals in this region.
While we enter Cheile-Nerei National Park in south-western Romania, we witness the many caves, waterfalls, tunnels and other mystical natural wonders. After camping near the Dracula Lake and a bat cave, we cross a waist-high river and follow the path towards Sasca Romana along the raging river Nera, through tunnels, gorges and narrow stone paths.
Jan and Eva, Adventureland Europe
The Aurora Experience
Continuing their journey through Romania, Jan and Eva meet a lot of local people. One of their most remarkable encounters was the Aurora Community.
We are walking through the Romanian Wilderness. Our goal is to find a nice place to stay the middle of nowhere. People advised us to visit the Aurora Community. Without further information suddenly two houses appear in front of us, with a breathtaking view over two valleys. We get to know Claudian and Felipa, who have chosen this place as a refuge. Up here, they lead an alternative life that they devote to learning and teaching on the one hand. On the other, with their NGOs ‘Terra livre’ and ‘Aurora Community’, they want to save Romanian forests from clear-cuts. Their goal is to buy the areas and giving them to the village communities. This is necessary, as we could see cleared forest patches on the other side of the valley.
Jan and Eva, Adventureland Europe
Illegal deforestation in Romania is a serious problem, inside and beyond protected areas. Sometimes, sanitary logging is used as an excuse for clearcuts. Latest developments in the Romanian government do not seem to improve the situation. On the contrary, the future of many protected areas is threatened. Please visit their page dedicated to saving wild forests of Romania, and make your donation.
Next stop: Slovakia
The journey continues towards the Tatra Mountains, as Jan and Eva prepare for new and unexpected adventures ahead. Here, they also meet with our Wilderness team. If you want to read more about their project Adventureland Europe, make sure you visit their website.
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