Karl Bushby is an English adventurer whose extraordinary journey on foot has captured global attention for more than two decades.
Beginning in 1998, Bushby set out to walk from the southern tip of South America all the way back to his home in England, without using vehicles or boats except where absolutely unavoidable.
His journey, known as the Goliath Expedition, is one of the longest continuous walks ever attempted, and after nearly three decades of effort, he is expected to finally complete it in 2026.
The Beginning of the Goliath Expedition
Karl Bushby was born in Hull, England, and developed an early fascination with adventure, endurance, and the limits of human determination. In 1998, at the age of 29, he began his walk in Punta Arenas, Chile, near the southern edge of South America.
His goal was simple in concept but immense in scale: to walk an unbroken line across continents until he reached his hometown.
The expedition was named Goliath to reflect both its physical scale and the mental challenge it posed. From the very start, Bushby committed to completing the journey on foot wherever possible, refusing shortcuts that would compromise the integrity of the route.
This decision would later become one of the defining aspects of his journey, contributing both to its difficulty and its uniqueness.
Crossing the Americas
Bushby’s route through South and North America exposed him to extreme environments and constant danger. He trekked through deserts, dense jungles, high mountain ranges, and remote wilderness areas.
One of the most dangerous sections was the Darién Gap, a lawless and roadless stretch of jungle between Colombia and Panama. The area is notorious for armed groups, disease, and difficult terrain, yet Bushby crossed it on foot, a feat rarely attempted.
Throughout the Americas, Bushby faced threats from wildlife, illness, extreme weather, and isolation. He also dealt with injuries and financial hardship, often relying on sponsorships, temporary work, and public support to continue.
Despite these challenges, he persisted, driven by the idea that quitting would undermine everything he had already endured.
The Bering Strait Challenge
One of the most ambitious and controversial parts of Bushby’s journey was his attempt to cross from North America into Asia via the Bering Strait.
During winter, the strait partially freezes, theoretically allowing a crossing on foot. In 2006, Bushby and a companion attempted this crossing, walking over shifting sea ice between Alaska and Russia.
Although they successfully crossed the strait physically, they were later detained by Russian authorities for entering the country without proper visas.
This led to years of legal and diplomatic complications, delaying the expedition significantly. The incident highlighted how political borders can be as challenging as natural ones when attempting a continuous journey across the world.
Walking Across Eurasia
After resolving his legal issues, Bushby continued his walk across Russia, Central Asia, and Europe. These stages of the journey were marked by vast distances, harsh winters, and cultural barriers.
Long stretches of road tested his mental endurance, as walking day after day without dramatic scenery or major milestones became a psychological challenge.
As he moved closer to Western Europe, Bushby faced new obstacles, including border regulations and the difficulty of maintaining momentum after so many years.
Aging, recurring injuries, and changing personal circumstances added to the complexity, yet he remained committed to finishing what he had started.
The Final Stretch
By the 2020s, Karl Bushby had already walked tens of thousands of kilometers and spent more than half his life on the expedition. The final stages of the journey involve crossing mainland Europe and entering the United Kingdom, ultimately returning to Hull.
Bushby has stated that he expects to complete this final stretch in 2026, bringing an end to a journey that began nearly 30 years earlier.
Reaching England will not just mark the end of a physical journey, but the conclusion of a lifelong commitment to perseverance and self-belief. Few people have dedicated so many years to a single goal, and even fewer have seen it through to the end.
A Legacy of Perseverance and Endurance
Karl Bushby’s journey is more than an adventure story. It is a testament to human resilience, patience, and the power of long-term vision. By choosing the hardest possible way home, Bushby transformed a personal challenge into a symbol of determination.
When he finally steps onto English soil to finish his walk in 2026, it will represent not only the completion of a route across the world, but the triumph of unwavering resolve over time, distance, and adversity.
