Archive · 15 Dec 2025
British Man Nears End of 27-Year Global Walk
A man named Karl Bushby from Britain started walking around the world 27 years ago.
He began in Chile and has walked through many countries, including the United States, Russia, and Mongolia.
He has walked over 31,000 miles and is now very close to finishing his journey in his hometown of Hull, England.
He has faced many challenges, like bad weather, visa problems, and even swimming across a big sea.
He has a rule that he can't use any cars or planes to help him, and he can't go home until he walks all the way there.
He is expected to finish his walk by September 2026.
Karl Bushby, a 56-year-old British ex-paratrooper, is nearing the end of his 27-year journey to walk around the world without using any motorised transport.
He began his journey in November 1998 in Punta Arenas, Chile, and has traversed 31,000 miles through 25 countries, including deserts, war zones, jungles, and frozen seas.
Bushby's journey has been delayed by geopolitical, financial, and logistical hurdles, including the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.
He has faced numerous challenges, such as crossing the frozen Bering Strait, swimming across the Caspian Sea, and dealing with visa issues in Russia.
Bushby is currently in Hungary, about 932 miles from his hometown of Hull, England, and is expected to complete his journey by September 2026.
- Who
- Karl Bushby, a 56-year-old British ex-paratrooper
- What
- A 27-year journey to walk around the world without using any motorised transport
- When
- Started in November 1998, expected to complete in September 2026
- Where
- Began in Punta Arenas, Chile, currently in Hungary, final destination is Hull, England
- Why
- Inspired by his love for travel and exploration during his time in the British Army
- Name
- Karl Bushby
- Age
- 56
- Starting Point
- Punta Arenas, Chile
- Distance Traversed
- 31,000 miles
- Countries Traversed
- 25
- Estimated Completion
- September 2026
- Final Destination
- Hull, England
- Current Location
- Hungary