Only human to walk the entire world nears finish line: For 27 years he followed just one rule

In an age when most people look for shortcuts, Karl Bushby chose the longest path possible—walking around the world on foot. The British former paratrooper began his mission on November 1, 1998, in Punta Arenas, Chile, with just one rule few would dare to fulfil: return to his hometown of Hull, England, without ever using a car, plane, boat, or even a bicycle. His mission, called the Goliath Expedition, set out to cover 36,000 miles across every major landmass.

From the Americas to Siberia

Over the years, Bushby has walked through some of the most difficult terrains on earth. He trekked across the dense jungles of Central America, reached the Panama Canal, and made his way through Mexico, the United States, and Canada before arriving in Alaska. In 2006, he attempted one of his most daring feats—crossing the frozen Bering Strait on foot into Russia.

However, his entry led to detention by Russian authorities for crossing without permission. He faced a five-year visa ban before being allowed to continue in 2014. Bushby then pushed through Siberia, Mongolia, and China, where harsh weather and bureaucracy tested his determination.


Unforeseen Delays and Global Challenges

The journey was originally expected to take 12 years. Instead, wars, visa complications, and financial setbacks stretched it to nearly three decades. According to BBC Radio Humberside, Bushby explained that the pandemic, conflicts such as the war in Ukraine, and the 2008 financial crisis all disrupted his route and funding. Despite setbacks, he insisted on staying true to the principle of an unbroken walking line, even if it meant long delays.

At one point, when land routes became impossible, Bushby swam parts of the Caspian Sea to maintain continuity. Each time travel restrictions forced him away, he returned to the exact spot he had stopped to resume the trek.

Nearing the Finish Line

By early 2024, Bushby entered Türkiye through Georgia and completed the country’s leg of his expedition. As per Daily Sabah, he praised the hospitality he experienced, describing the people as some of the most welcoming he had ever met. He continued into Bulgaria, marking the start of the European stretch that will lead him through Romania, Hungary, Austria, Germany, and France before reaching the U.K.

At present, Bushby has less than 2,000 miles left. His plan is to enter Europe via Turkey, trek across the continent, and finally arrive in Hull by September 2026, reuniting with his family after nearly three decades on the road.


Reflecting on his journey, Bushby told BBC Radio Humberside that the thought of finishing is strange, as the expedition has defined his life for so long. He acknowledged that it will be a challenge to adjust once his “purpose for living has a hard stop,” but he hopes to transition into new pursuits that keep his body and mind active.

What began as an ambitious dream in Chile is now close to completion. If successful, Karl Bushby will become the first person in history to walk an unbroken path around the world—a journey that has lasted nearly 30 years, crossed multiple continents, and tested the limits of endurance.