Karl Bushby, a British former paratrooper, has spent nearly three decades walking an unbroken path from the southern tip of Chile to the doorstep of his hometown, Hull, England. His Goliath Expedition, covering more than 36,000 miles (58,000 km), is one of the most ambitious solo journeys ever attempted. As of mid-2026, he is just a few hundred miles from completing it.
What began as a barroom bet in 1998 has become a testament to human endurance. Bushby has crossed four continents, survived the Darién Gap, walked across the frozen Bering Strait, and swam 179 miles across the Caspian Sea. Now, after 28 years on the road, he faces his final hurdle: getting into the United Kingdom.
Who Is Karl Bushby? Biography and Personal Life
- Born: 30 March 1969 (age 57 in mid-2026)
- Nationality: British
- Former Occupation: Paratrooper
- Expedition: Walking the longest unbroken footpath on Earth (1998–present)
Key Insights
- Bushby is one of the few people to attempt a full circumnavigation by foot without using mechanical transport for water crossings.
- As of mid-2026, he is in the final stages of his journey, having reached Belgium and nearing Calais, France.
- His walk covers three continents and includes a 288 km swim across the Caspian Sea to avoid dangerous borders.
- He has documented parts of the journey on Instagram and wrote a book titled Giant Steps covering the first half of his expedition.
- The expedition was originally expected to take 12 years but has stretched to 28 due to geopolitical hurdles, funding gaps, and extreme terrain.
- Bushby launched a TikTok account in summer 2025 and gained over 350,000 followers as he entered the home stretch.
| Label | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Karl Bushby |
| Birth Date | 30 March 1969 |
| Age (mid-2026) | 57 |
| Profession | Ex-British Paratrooper, Adventurer |
| Expedition Start | November 1998 |
| Total Distance Walked | ~36,000 miles (58,000 km) |
| Route | Chile → Americas → Asia → Europe (currently near Calais) |
| Spouse | Married (wife’s name not widely publicised) |
| Children | At least one son |
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed |
| Book | Giant Steps (covers first half of journey) |
| Tracker | No official public tracker; progress shared via Instagram (@bushby3000) |
What Is Karl Bushby’s Walking Route and Progress?
Bushby’s goal has always been to walk an unbroken path around the world, using no boats, planes or mechanical transport for aquatic crossings. His route has taken him through some of the most remote and dangerous places on the planet.
South America and the Darién Gap
He departed Punta Arenas, Chile, in November 1998 and walked through Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. The Darién Gap between Colombia and Panama was one of the most perilous sections. Bushby relied on his military training and advice from his father to navigate around bandits.
Through the Americas and the Bering Strait
After crossing Central America and Mexico, he entered the United States and Canada. In March 2006, with partner Dimitri Kieffer, he walked across the 58-mile frozen Bering Strait from Alaska to Russia.
Asia and the Caspian Sea Swim
Bushby trekked through Siberia, Mongolia, China, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan. To avoid entering Iran or Russia, in August 2024 he swam 179 miles (288 km) across the Caspian Sea from Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan – a feat that took 31 days and 132 hours of swimming.
The Caspian Sea swim was necessary because both Iran and Russia were deemed too dangerous to cross on foot. Bushby had to obtain special permission and used a support boat for safety during the 31-day crossing.
Europe and the Final Leg
He entered Turkey, crossed the Bosphorus Strait, and travelled through Armenia and Turkey into Europe. By mid-June 2026, Bushby had reached Belgium and was nearing Calais, France, according to a BBC report. He plans to walk north to Hull once he arrives in Britain, concluding the journey at his childhood home.
Has Karl Bushby Written a Book?
Yes, Bushby authored Giant Steps, which covers the first half of his journey from Chile through the Americas and across the Bering Strait. The book was published during the expedition and offers a first-person account of the early years, including surviving the Darién Gap and the gruelling trek across Siberia. No subsequent book has been widely released, but a documentary or further publication may follow his completion.
Where Is Karl Bushby Now in 2025?
By mid-2026, Bushby is in the final stretch of his 28-year journey. He reached Belgium and was preparing to cross into France near Calais. Eurotunnel officials denied his request to walk through the Channel Tunnel, as he lacked conventional transport authorisation. The exact method for his final crossing into the UK is still uncertain, but he continues toward the coast.
Bushby had hoped to enter the UK via the Channel Tunnel, but officials rejected his request. It is not yet clear whether he will take a ferry, a small boat, or find another legal way to cross the English Channel. His expected finish date of September or October 2026 may be delayed.
Earlier in 2025, Bushby launched a TikTok account and gained over 350,000 followers as he entered what he called the “home stretch”. He continues to share updates on social media, mainly through his Instagram account @bushby3000.
Timeline of Key Milestones in Karl Bushby’s Journey
- November 1998: Starts walk from Punta Arenas, Chile (southern tip of South America).
- March 2006: Walks across the frozen Bering Strait from Alaska to Russia with Dimitri Kieffer.
- 2008–2014: Crosses Russia and Asia, including trekking through Siberia, Mongolia, China, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan.
- August 2024: Swims 179 miles across the Caspian Sea from Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan in 31 days.
- Mid-June 2026: Reaches Belgium and nears Calais, France; denied entry through the Channel Tunnel.
- Expected September–October 2026: Anticipated completion of the Goliath Expedition, returning to Hull, England.
What Is Known and What Remains Uncertain About Karl Bushby?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Birth date: 30 March 1969 in Hull, England (verified by BBC and Wikipedia). | Exact daily location; no public tracker. |
| Expedition start year and general route (reported by multiple sources). | Net worth – no credible source available. |
| Distance walked: ~36,000 miles (58,000 km) as reported by BBC and Wikipedia. | Wife’s name and precise family details – only mentions in forums and sparse interviews. |
| Age 57 as of mid-2026. | Book title: Giant Steps is confirmed, but availability and publication details are limited. |
| Swam Caspian Sea in 2024; walked Bering Strait in 2006. | Final crossing method into the UK after Eurotunnel denial. |
Why Is Karl Bushby’s Walk Significant?
Unlike most round-the-world attempts that rely on multiple transport modes, Bushby is committed to an unbroken path using only his feet (with unavoidable water crossings). His journey has taken decades due to political borders, funding constraints, and extreme physical challenges. The recent BBC coverage highlights the imminent completion, renewing global interest. Bushby remains the only person attempting this specific “unbroken footsteps” record, having crossed four continents without mechanical transport for water crossings, as documented by BBC and Angus Adventures.
What Are the Main Sources for Karl Bushby’s Story?
“Round-the-world walker prepares for home stretch” – BBC News, 11 June 2025
“Karl Bushby is an English walking adventurer and author, currently attempting to be the first person to completely walk an unbroken path…” – Wikipedia
“Ex British Paratrooper, Adventurer. Walking the longest unbroken footpath in history” – Instagram bio (@bushby3000)
Additional information comes from his Facebook group, a Reddit post about his journey, and an Angus Adventures article. His book Giant Steps also serves as a primary source for the first half of the expedition.
Summary: What Is the Overall Summary of Karl Bushby’s Expedition?
Karl Bushby is a British former paratrooper who in 1998 set out to walk an unbroken path from Chile to his hometown of Hull, England. Over 28 years he has covered more than 36,000 miles, crossing South and North America, the Bering Strait, Asia, and Europe. He famously swam 179 miles across the Caspian Sea in 2024. As of mid-2026 he is in Belgium, preparing for the final leg into the UK. His journey is expected to conclude in late 2026, pending a solution to cross the English Channel. For a detailed map of his route, see Karl Bushby’s Goliath Expedition Route.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Karl Bushby’s book called?
His book is titled Giant Steps, covering the first half of his journey from Chile through the Bering Strait.
How can I track Karl Bushby’s location?
There is no official public tracker. He shares updates on Instagram (@bushby3000) and his TikTok account, which gained over 350,000 followers in 2025.
What is Karl Bushby’s net worth?
His net worth has not been publicly disclosed by any credible source.
Does Karl Bushby have a wife and children?
He is married and has at least one son, but their names and details have not been widely publicised.
How long has Karl Bushby been walking?
He started in November 1998, so as of mid-2026 he has been walking for nearly 28 years.
Why did Karl Bushby swim the Caspian Sea?
To avoid entering Iran and Russia, which were considered too dangerous to cross on foot. He completed the 179-mile swim in 31 days.
Is Karl Bushby still walking in 2026?
Yes, as of mid-2026 he is in Belgium and nearing the French coast, attempting to complete the final leg into the UK.
How far has Karl Bushby walked in total?
He has walked approximately 36,000 miles (58,000 km) according to BBC and Wikipedia sources.
What happened with the Eurotunnel?
Eurotunnel officials denied his request to walk through the Channel Tunnel because he lacked conventional transport authorisation, creating uncertainty about his final crossing.
Freddie Arthur Cooper Harrison is Editor-in-Chief of PopCulture UK, covering film, TV, music and celebrity news. He is accountable for the newsroom's editorial standards, and leads its sourcing and fact-checking process so that every article separates verified fact from rumour and is reviewed before publication.