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Karl Bushby

Karl Bushby is an English walking adventurer, former paratrooper, and author known for attempting to become the first person to walk an unbroken path around the world.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Karl Bushby is an English walking adventurer, former paratrooper, and author known for attempting to become the first person to walk an unbroken path around the world. He began the Goliath Expedition in southern Chile in 1998 and has spent decades traveling on foot and by swimming across the Caspian Sea. He is from Hull, England, and has been reported in 2025–2026 to be nearing the final leg of the journey home.

Early life and background

Karl Bushby was born in 1969 in Kingston upon Hull, England. Public sources describe him as a former paratrooper before he became known for long-distance adventure travel.

Goliath Expedition

Bushby’s best-known project is the Goliath Expedition, an attempt to walk around the world on an unbroken route. The journey began in 1998 in southern Chile and has involved long stretches across the Americas, Asia, and Europe.

Notable crossings and challenges

Coverage highlights major obstacles including the Darién Gap, the Bering Strait, and the Caspian Sea crossing in 2024. Reports also note visa problems, border restrictions, and long delays during the expedition.

Public reception and media coverage

Bushby’s journey has attracted international media attention because of its length and unusual conditions. Recent reporting framed him as approaching the final leg of a roughly 27–28 year effort to return to Hull.

Key facts

  • Bushby’s expedition is commonly called the Goliath Expedition.
  • He began the journey in southern Chile in 1998.
  • The stated aim is to complete a continuous walk around the world without motorized transport.
  • Reports say he has crossed the Bering Strait and swum across the Caspian Sea during the journey.
  • He is described in recent reports as a former British paratrooper and author.
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Canadian context

Canadian media and adventure audiences have followed Bushby’s expedition as an extreme endurance story, but there is no strong Canada-specific connection in the available sources.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Karl Bushby?
Karl Bushby is an English walking adventurer, former paratrooper, and author best known for the Goliath Expedition, his attempt to walk around the world on foot.
What is the Goliath Expedition?
It is Bushby’s attempt to complete a continuous, unbroken walk around the globe, starting from southern Chile and ending in his home town of Hull.
When did Karl Bushby start his journey?
He began in 1998, with reports stating he set off from southern Chile on 1 November 1998.
Has Karl Bushby used any transport?
The expedition is defined by not using motorized transport; reports say he has walked and, in one instance, swum across the Caspian Sea.
What is Karl Bushby known for besides walking?
Recent sources also describe him as an author and a former paratrooper.
Where is Karl Bushby from?
He is from Kingston upon Hull, England, and Hull is also the intended end point of his journey.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Bushby
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, occupation, expedition name, start date, and overview of the Goliath Expedition.
  2. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp8rd3n80j4o
    Supports: Recent profile, distance traveled, 28-year duration, and expedition highlights including the Bering Strait and Darién Gap.
  3. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2e30mxnmxdo
    Supports: Former paratrooper status, Caspian Sea crossing, and nearing completion of the journey.
  4. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx23mwry74ko
    Supports: Departure from Hull, start date in 1998, Caspian Sea crossing, and family context.
  5. Reuters — https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/british-globe-trekker-faces-changed-world-final-leg-27-year-journey-2025-11-26/
    Supports: Identity as a former British paratrooper, Goliath Expedition, non-motorized travel, Bering Strait and Caspian Sea crossing.
  6. Dave's Travel Corner — https://www.davestravelcorner.com/interviews/karl-bushby-adventurer-and-author/
    Supports: Describes Bushby as an adventurer and author and mentions his book about the expedition.