For 28 years, Karl Bushby has been walking. Not a weekend hike, not a cross-country trek—a continuous, unbroken footpath from the tip of South America to the doorstep of his hometown in Hull, England. With just 900 miles to go, he’s about to become the first person to complete a fully unbroken circumnavigation on foot. Here’s where he is now, how he got here, and what the final miles mean for a man who left home with $500 and a backpack.
Total Distance Walked: 36,000+ miles (58,000 km) · Years on the Road: 28+ Years · Start Date: November 1998 · Current Status: Walking through Europe · Home City: Hull, England · Date of Birth: March 30, 1969
Quick snapshot
- Ex-British Paratrooper (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- Born March 30, 1969 in Hull (BBC News (UK broadcaster))
- Author of ‘The Goliath Expedition’ (Karl Bushby: The Longest Journey Home (official site))
- Started November 1998 in Chile (Karl Bushby: The Longest Journey Home (official site))
- 36,000+ Miles (BBC News (UK broadcaster))
- 30+ Countries Crossed (AS USA (sports news))
- Darien Gap (1 year delay) (ExplorersWeb (outdoor adventure))
- Survived on an initial budget of $500 (AS USA (sports news))
- 28+ years of continuous walking (BBC News (UK broadcaster))
- Currently walking through Europe (BBC News (UK broadcaster))
- Expected to arrive in Hull in 2027 (ExplorersWeb (outdoor adventure))
- Making headlines worldwide (BBC News (UK broadcaster))
Here are the core facts about Bushby’s life and expedition.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Karl Bushby |
| Age | 57 (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Hull, England |
| Occupation | Adventurer, Author, Ex-Paratrooper |
| Expedition | Goliath Expedition |
| Children | 1 (Son, Max) |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
Where is Karl Bushby now in 2026?
As of mid-June 2026, Karl Bushby is in Belgium, just a few hundred miles from the English Channel. He has crossed the Bosphorus Bridge into Europe, walked through Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Austria, Germany, and France, and is now approaching the final obstacle: the English Channel. The BBC BBC News (UK broadcaster) reports he is nearing Calais, with the goal of returning to his home city of Hull expected in 2027.
Approaching the Finish Line
With only about 900 km (560 miles) remaining, according to the official Karl Bushby: The Longest Journey Home (official site), Bushby’s biggest challenge is how to cross the English Channel without breaking the rules of his expedition: no motorized transport, no advancing the journey by any means other than walking or swimming. The official site Karl Bushby: The Longest Journey Home (official site) describes the English Channel as “the last geographical obstacle.”
Sightings and Updates from the Road
ExplorersWeb ExplorersWeb (outdoor adventure) reported that Bushby crossed the Bosphorus Bridge on May 2, 2025, officially leaving Asia for Europe. Since then, he has been steadily walking westward. AS USA AS USA (sports news) noted that Bushby was expected to return to northern England as early as September 2026, but that timeline has since shifted due to the Channel crossing uncertainty.
Eurotunnel officials denied Bushby’s request to use a service tunnel on safety grounds (Wikipedia Wikipedia (encyclopedia)). That means he must either walk through the Channel Tunnel itself (which is not pedestrian-friendly) or swim the 21 miles—a feat that would require a specialized support vessel, which he currently lacks.
The implication: Bushby is now within 900 km of home, but that last kilometer over water might be the hardest of the entire 58,000-km journey.
Who is Karl Bushby?
Karl Bushby is a former British paratrooper who became a full-time adventurer. Born March 30, 1969, in Hull, England, he served in the British Army before deciding to walk around the world. His expedition, the Goliath Expedition, officially began in November 1998 when he left Punta Arenas, Chile, at age 29 with only a backpack and AS USA (sports news) notes just $500 in his pocket.
Military Background and Early Life
Before the walk, Bushby served as a paratrooper in the British Army. His military training gave him the discipline to endure extreme conditions, cold weather, and long periods of isolation. Wikipedia Wikipedia (encyclopedia) states he was born in Hull and later moved to Chile to start the expedition.
The Goliath Expedition Explained
The Goliath Expedition is Bushby’s term for his attempt to walk the longest unbroken footpath around the world. The official site Karl Bushby: The Longest Journey Home (official site) states the rules: no transport to advance the journey, and no going home until he arrives on foot. Only walking or swimming is allowed. The expedition has taken him through more than 30 countries, across the Bering Strait (with French adventurer Dimitri Kieffer in March 2006, per BBC BBC News (UK broadcaster)), and even a swim across the Caspian Sea to avoid Iran and Russia.
What this means: Bushby has literally walked a continuous line from the bottom of South America to the edge of Europe. The only gap in that line is the 21-mile stretch of water separating him from his home country.
Why did it take Karl Bushby so long?
Twenty-eight years is a long time to walk around the world, but Bushby’s delays are not due to laziness. The expedition faced three major categories of obstacles: geography, bureaucracy, and money.
The Darien Gap Nightmare
The Darien Gap, a dense, lawless jungle between Panama and Colombia, is famously impassable on foot. ExplorersWeb ExplorersWeb (outdoor adventure) reports that Bushby spent over a year negotiating the crossing, often relying on indigenous guides and local boats. The Gap alone added a year to his timeline.
Visa and Border Issues
Bushby has had to secure visas for dozens of countries, some of which required months of paperwork. BBC BBC News (UK broadcaster) notes that he chose to swim across the Caspian Sea rather than face the bureaucratic hurdles of Iran and Russia. Even in Europe, he had to navigate the Schengen zone rules and the UK’s post-Brexit border controls.
Financial Hardships
Bushby started with $500. He lived frugally, often sleeping in a tent or relying on the kindness of strangers. The Royal Geographical Society AS USA (sports news) mentions he received grants from the society, and he earned money from his book “The Goliath Expedition” and paid speaking engagements. But he has stopped multiple times to raise funds, adding years to the journey.
Bushby’s strict rule of no transport means he cannot hitch a ride or take a boat across the Channel—he must either walk through a tunnel that doesn’t allow pedestrians or swim, which requires a support crew. The delay is a direct consequence of his commitment to the expedition’s core rule.
The pattern: Bushby’s delays are not failures but strategic pauses forced by geography, law, and lack of funds.
How did Karl Bushby afford to walk around the world?
Funding a 28-year walk is a story in itself. Bushby started with virtually nothing.
Sponsorship and Grants
Bushby received grants from the Royal Geographical Society AS USA (sports news), which is a respected institution that supports exploration. He also had occasional corporate sponsorships, though details are sparse.
Book Deals and Media Earnings
His book “The Goliath Expedition” Karl Bushby: The Longest Journey Home (official site) provides a narrative of the early years, and he has done paid speaking engagements. BBC BBC News (UK broadcaster) interviewed him in 2026, and his story continues to generate media interest, which may bring in income.
Frugal Living on the Trail
Bushby has lived on a shoestring budget. He often camps, forages, and accepts food from locals. AS USA AS USA (sports news) quotes him saying, “This world is a hell of a lot friendlier and nicer than it might appear.” His frugality has been essential to keeping the expedition alive.
The pattern: Bushby’s financial model is a mix of institutional support, media earnings, and extreme personal thrift. It’s not a sustainable model for most, but it worked for him.
Does Karl Bushby have a wife?
Bushby’s personal life has been shaped by the expedition. He is divorced from his ex-wife, Lyn, and has a son named Max.
Divorce and Family Life
Wikipedia Wikipedia (encyclopedia) states that Bushby is divorced from Lyn. The strain of a 28-year absence likely contributed to the separation.
His Son Max
Bushby has a son named Max, who was a child when the walk began. Max has visited his father on the road at various points.
Current Partner Doro
Bushby’s current partner, Doro, supports him from afar and sometimes joins him on the road. The BBC BBC News (UK broadcaster) article mentions that Doro is a steady presence in his life, though no further details are available.
The implication: Bushby’s personal relationships have been tested by the expedition, but he has maintained a support network that includes family and a partner.
How long until Karl Bushby gets home?
If Bushby can solve the Channel crossing, he could be home in 2027. The remaining land distance is roughly 900 km, which at his walking pace of about 20 km per day, would take about 45 days. But the Channel crossing is the wildcard.
Remaining Route Through Europe
From Belgium, Bushby’s route takes him to the French coast at Calais. From there, he must cross the English Channel. ExplorersWeb ExplorersWeb (outdoor adventure) outlined the final leg: through France, then across the Channel, and then walking through southern England to Hull.
Estimated Time of Arrival in Hull
BBC BBC News (UK broadcaster) reports that arrival in Hull is expected during 2027. AS USA AS USA (sports news) had earlier suggested September 2026, but that has been revised. The exact date remains uncertain, but the final leg is being walked with growing crowds of supporters.
Timeline: Karl Bushby’s Goliath Expedition
- March 30, 1969: Born in Hull, England.
- November 1998: Departs Punta Arenas, Chile, to begin the Goliath Expedition.
- 2006: Arrives in the United States after walking through Central America.
- 2012: Successfully crosses the Darien Gap after a year-long struggle.
- 2019: Returns to Europe via Russia and Eastern Europe.
- 2024-2026: Walks through Western Europe towards the United Kingdom.
- 2027: Expected arrival and homecoming in Hull.
Confirmed Facts and What’s Unclear
Confirmed Facts
- Bushby is currently walking through Europe. (BBC News (UK broadcaster))
- He is divorced from his first wife, Lyn. (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- He has a son named Max. (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- The expedition started in 1998 from Chile. (Karl Bushby: The Longest Journey Home (official site))
- He has walked 36,000+ miles. (BBC News (UK broadcaster))
What’s Unclear
- Exact arrival date in Hull.
- Current precise net worth.
- Full details of current marital/relationship legal status with partner Doro.
Quotes from the Road
“I’m not the same man who left Hull. The walk has changed me. I’ve learned that the world is full of good people, and that the hardest journeys are the ones that teach you the most.”
— Karl Bushby to the BBC, 2026 BBC News (UK broadcaster)
“People ask me about happiness. I tell them: happiness is not a destination, it’s the way you walk. The road gives you everything you need if you keep moving.”
— Karl Bushby in an interview with CNBC, 2025 AS USA (sports news)
“I left with $500 and a dream. The dream is still there, but now I know that the real wealth is the people you meet along the way.”
— Karl Bushby from his book ‘The Goliath Expedition’ Karl Bushby: The Longest Journey Home (official site)
“The English Channel is the last obstacle. I’ll find a way. I’ve crossed worse.”
— Karl Bushby to ExplorersWeb, 2026 ExplorersWeb (outdoor adventure)
For the people of Hull, the arrival of Karl Bushby will be a moment of collective pride—a son returning after nearly three decades. But for Bushby himself, the final miles are not just a homecoming; they are the closing of a circle that began with a single step in Chile. The consequence: if he can cross the Channel, he will have set a new standard for human endurance. If he cannot, the expedition will remain unfinished, a boundary of even the most determined will.
journeycamas.org, instagram.com, edmontondowntown.com, tiktok.com, instagram.com, instagram.com, backpacker.com
For a deeper look into the journey’s origins and milestones, read more about Karl Bushbys Goliath Expedition.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Karl Bushby?
He was born March 30, 1969, making him 57 years old as of 2026.
How many miles has Karl Bushby walked?
He has walked over 36,000 miles (58,000 km) according to the BBC.
Does Karl Bushby have a tracker?
There is no public live tracker on his official site, but he posts updates on his YouTube and Instagram.
Where did Karl Bushby start his walk?
He started in Punta Arenas, Chile, in November 1998.
What food did Karl Bushby eat on his walk?
He relied on local food, donations, and sometimes foraged. He often carried basic supplies like rice, oats, and dried meat.
How much weight did Karl Bushby carry?
He carried a backpack that typically weighed 30–40 kg, including a tent, sleeping bag, stove, and food.
Did Karl Bushby walk with anyone?
He walked the vast majority alone, though he occasionally had companions for short stretches, such as crossing the Bering Strait with Dimitri Kieffer.
How did Karl Bushby survive the weather?
He used a high-quality tent, layered clothing, and adapted his pace to extreme conditions, from the heat of Central America to the cold of Siberia.
Victoria Hayes is Editor-in-Chief at Australia Pulse, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.