Geert van Nispen runs and walks more than 3,800 kilometres and reaches 'the end of the world'.
From Nijmegen, Netherlands to Sagres, Portugal. On foot. Alone. Through forests, mountains and cliffs. More than 3,800 kilometres and 63,000 metres of elevation gain, in sun, wind and rain. A modern nomad reaches the 'end of the world' - and finds connection along the way.
At the southwestern tip of the European continent, where the cliffs end abruptly and the ocean begins, is Geert. His shoes are scuffed and his heart is full. After more than 3,800 kilometres, seven countries and countless unforgettable encounters, he arrives at the symbolic "end of the world" in Sagres, Portugal.
An adventure that began on 2 January in Nijmegen and is now coming to an end. But this journey is much more than a journey on foot. It is a search for freedom, for meaning, for connection... and a defence of movement, of life itself.
A home in the backpack
Geert leaves his home behind and chooses the road beneath his feet. Literally. With only a rucksack and an infinite trust in the unknown, he hikes the Pieterpad, the GR5, the Camino from Luxembourg, the GR703 (Joan of Arc route), the GR654, the Pyrenees, the Camino del Norte and breathtaking routes through Spain and Portugal, all the way to southern Europe.
His blogs - such as "Every step is mine", "Trailrunning Quest", "Tiredness: a silent force or an annoying weakness" and many others - paint a portrait of a person who lives, thrives and learns along the way. From sleeping under the stars to running in pain. From deep reflection to overflowing euphoria. And, above all, an indomitable passion to be out and keep moving.
A hymn to resilience and the unknown
Along the way, Geert lets his intuition guide him. He challenges himself with speed records on historic pilgrimage routes, such as the Camino del Norte, where in April he broke the record in self-sufficient style with a time of 10 days, 22 hours, 36 minutes and 29 seconds. But he also values the slow: listening to the rustle of trees, meeting strangers on lonely mountain passes, sharing silence, food and stories.
The journey becomes a metaphor for life itself: not a straight line, but a path full of crossings, decisions, encounters and opportunities. Geert calls it an "existence in motion" and says: "Home is not where you live. Home is where you move, where you feel you are alive".
Parkinson's care
With his journey, Geert also wants to draw attention to Parkinson's disease. He walks for those who can no longer move freely. His campaign page on inactievoorparkinson.nl has already inspired many people to take action. "As long as I can walk, I will walk for them too," he says. "And I will keep walking.
A journey that goes beyond the last step
Sagres may be the symbolic end, but for Geert it feels like the beginning of something new. Something bigger. A deep connection to nature, to himself and to the world around him. He does not define himself as a traveller, but as a seeker. And he is not done searching yet.
Geert van Nispen smashes the fastest time on the Camino Santiago del Norte
On World Parkinson's Day, Geert finishes his 844 kilometre walk in record time. There could not be a greater gift, as Geert is always working to raise the profile of Parkinson's disease.
Geert has been working for more than 2,960 kilometres in the legs since leaving Nijmegen on 2 January. Via the Pieterpad, the GR5 through Belgium, the Camino from Luxembourg, the GR5F, the Joan of Arc route and the GR654 through France, the GR11 and the Camino del Norte, its Quest Trail has finally brought him to Santiago de Compostela.
Fastest on the Camino del Norte
On Sunday 30 March, Geert took his first step in Irún, the starting point of this historic route along the rugged northern coast of Spain. His goal was clear: to improve the Fastest Known Time (FKT) in self-sufficient style. The actual time - 15 days and just over 3 hours - was hard to beat, but records are there to be broken.
Geert does not simply want to record a time. He runs to tell a story. A story of perseverance, of breaking boundaries, of the power of movement. Geert runs for those who can no longer do it as easily: people with Parkinson's disease.
The Camino del Norte is not an easy walk. It is a route of about 844 kilometreswith around 19,000 metres of vertical dropIt challenges the pilgrim with unpredictable weather, steep slopes and endless solitude.
After days with an average of 60 kilometres per dayGeert feels stronger. He decides to push himself to the maximum, both mentally and physically. Beyond all his limits. He continues in pain, with a swollen leg, without sleep some nights, enjoying himself intensely and always moving forward. Always forward.
After 10 days, 22 hours, 36 minutes, 29 secondsGeert arrives exhausted at the square in front of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, the final destination of all pilgrimage routes. With this feat, he breaks the previous record by more than 4 days. An extraordinary achievement that demonstrates tenacity, resilience and a dash of positive madness.
Geert's Quest Trail
The Quest Trail de Geert (https://geertvannispen.nl/geerts-quest-trail/) is a very special journey on foot to Sagres, Portugal; the "end of the world".
Armed with rucksack and tent, he joins GR, E and other short and long distance trails in the direction of Sagres, always in self-sufficient style. And don't forget the support of brands Rab and MERRELLwho make this adventure possible as their partners regular. He does this by walking along as many nature trails as possible, combining hiking and trekking, speedhiking and trail running through the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France, Spain and Portugal. On the way to the place where it all ends. On the way to the end of the world.
Beyond the symbolism and adventure, there is also a touch of romance:
"The adventurer leaves home to travel more than 4,500 kilometres to the end of the world".
[9 April 2025] Geert van Nispen defies time on the Camino del Norte: 844 km against the clock
It's Wednesday and Geert van Nispen is running. It's not just any race: 844 kilometres, from Irún to Santiago de Compostela, with the Atlantic Ocean as his companion and a clock that gives no respite. His goal: to beat the Fastest Known Time (FKT) record of the Camino del Norte in style. self-supported. The current record to beat is 15 days, 3 hours and 32 minutes, set by Patrick Scheel in August 2023. Geert aims to enter Santiago tomorrow, Thursday, setting a new best known time.
Van Nispen is no stranger to such challenges. He has already achieved records in Luxembourg and on the demanding GR703 route in France. But he also knows the bitter taste of defeat, when in the Pyrenees the toughness of the GR11 forced him to abandon (we followed that attempt closely). However, far from discouraging him, that setback only increased his determination to achieve more FKTs (best known times).
The Camino del Norte is notorious for its difficulty: 19,000 metres of accumulated ascent, unpredictable weather and solitude as a constant companion. There are no long stops or moments for a quiet chat in a café; every minute counts. Geert is doing the route in self-supportedwhich means that he carries everything he needs to survive and move forward, without organised external assistance. A continuous struggle to balance weight, comfort and endurance.
But this race is more than just a personal record. Geert is running to raise awareness and support for those fighting Parkinson's, a disease that limits the ability to move. Every pain, every kilometre in solitude in the rain or cold, has a special meaning: to give voice and hope to those who can no longer take these steps.
Geert is moving unstoppably towards his goal. Less than 230 kilometres from Santiago, the pressure is mounting, but so is his determination. This Thursday could be historic.
"I'm here to tell a story," says Geert, and his story is clear: perseverance, solidarity and an epic challenge against the clock.
Tomorrow we will know if the Camino del Norte has a new champion. In the meantime, Geert is still running. Every minute counts.
Don't miss any adventure in the Pyrenees!
