Karl Bushby Nears Historic Finish of 27-Year Walk Around the World

In the age of high-speed travel, most journeys are measured in hours or days. But for Karl Bushby, the road home has stretched out for nearly three decades. As 2025 draws to a close, this British adventurer and ex-paratrooper is on the brink of making history: completing the longest unbroken walk around the world—an odyssey that began with a bar bet and evolved into a saga of endurance, grit, and relentless human spirit.

The Dream That Became a Lifelong Quest

It all started in November 1998. Karl Bushby, then 29 years old and fresh from the military, stood at the southern tip of South America in Punta Arenas, Chile. His goal was audacious: to walk, without the aid of any motorized transport, from the tip of South America all the way back to his hometown of Hull, England. No shortcuts, no vehicles—just footstep after footstep, forging a path across the planet.

This journey, dubbed the “Goliath Expedition,” was intended to last 12 years. Yet, as Bushby himself would discover, the world has a way of complicating even the most meticulously planned adventures. The expedition has now spanned nearly 28 years, transforming into a test of willpower that few could imagine.

Obstacles on Every Continent: Political, Physical, and Personal

Bushby’s route has not been a leisurely stroll. He has crossed 25 countries, trudged through six deserts, and climbed seven major mountain ranges. He’s survived the notorious Darién Gap—a lawless stretch of jungle between Panama and Colombia. He’s swum across seas, including a grueling 31-day effort in the Caspian, and braved the shifting ice floes of the Bering Strait to link the Americas to Russia. Every kilometer was covered on foot or, when absolutely necessary, by swimming.

But the obstacles went far beyond the physical. Bushby faced visa complications and border restrictions that could have ended the journey at multiple points. The most dramatic of these came in Russia, where he spent 57 days in detention for crossing the border unofficially. In 2013, he was slapped with a five-year travel ban, forcing him to re-route and wait out bureaucratic battles. Only after years of appeals was the ban overturned, allowing him to continue.

Financial hardship also threatened the expedition. Bushby lost key sponsorships during the 2008 financial crisis and often had to rely on the kindness of strangers or short-term jobs to fund the next leg. The COVID-19 pandemic added a new layer of unpredictability, stranding him for months at a time and disrupting border crossings throughout Eurasia.

Tracking the Final Miles: Europe Beckons

Now, in December 2025, Bushby is crossing Hungary, with roughly 932 miles (1,500 kilometers) left to reach Hull. The final stretch will take him through Turkey and across Europe, threading through the heart of a continent that has seen its own share of turmoil during his journey. He moves quietly—almost anonymously—eschewing the trappings of modern adventurers. With minimal presence on social media and no official website, Bushby’s progress is difficult to track. Yet those who follow his story know that each step is a victory against the odds.

When he finally arrives home, likely by September 2026, Bushby will have walked more than 58,000 kilometers. That’s a distance greater than the circumference of the Earth, and it will make him the first person to complete an unbroken walk around the world entirely on foot.

Why Karl Bushby’s Journey Resonates

The Goliath Expedition is more than a feat of physical endurance—it’s a story about pushing boundaries, both personal and global. Bushby’s refusal to use any form of transport means he’s encountered the world at its most raw: deserts that test hydration and resolve, jungles that challenge navigation, war zones demanding caution and humility. He’s endured arrest, injury, and isolation. Yet he’s never given up.

His journey has inspired millions, not simply because of its scale, but because of its spirit. In a world obsessed with speed and convenience, Bushby chose the slow, arduous route. His story reminds us that persistence—and sometimes stubbornness—can move mountains, even if it takes a lifetime.

While Bushby’s expedition began as a personal challenge, its impact has spread far beyond. He’s shown that ordinary people, with enough determination, can achieve the extraordinary. The Goliath Expedition stands as a testament to human potential, courage, and the willingness to confront the unknown.

The Road Ahead: Final Challenges and Lasting Legacy

With just over a thousand miles to go, Bushby faces the familiar hurdles: bureaucratic red tape, unpredictable weather, and the physical toll of nearly three decades on the move. But the hardest miles may be behind him. As he approaches Hull, anticipation is building—not just among fans, but in the global adventure community. His arrival will mark the end of one of the longest, most demanding expeditions ever undertaken by a single individual.

What comes after the finish line remains uncertain. Bushby, now 56, has spent almost half his life walking. Some speculate he’ll write a book or embark on speaking tours; others believe he’ll retreat from the spotlight. For now, he’s focused on the final steps, determined to see his journey through to the very end.

Karl Bushby’s story is a reminder that the greatest adventures are rarely the fastest or easiest. They’re the ones that demand patience, resilience, and an unwavering sense of purpose. His walk around the world isn’t just a record-breaking feat—it’s an epic demonstration of what it means to keep moving forward, no matter what stands in your way.