The Ultimate Trek

An English Man Continues His Walk Around the World

Photo by Tegan Mierle on Unsplash

Former paratrooper Karl Bushby has spent the past 27 years walking around the globe

on foot with no motorized transport in what he calls the Goliath Expedition. His journey began on Nov. 1, 1998, in Punta Arenas, Chile, and would return him to his hometown of Hull, England. 

Bushby has traversed jungles, frozen seas and rugged terrain for over three decades, crossing the Darién Gap and even walking across the frozen Bering Strait. In 2024, he swam across the Caspian Sea from Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan. He swam 186 miles over 31 days after political barriers made overland crossing impossible. 

Now, 56 years old and walking through Europe, Bushby is on the final leg of his 36,000-mile trek. Although the journey was meant to elapse 12 years, it has so far lasted 27, an effect of the Covid-19 pandemic and numerous wars. He hopes to complete his journey by late 2026, closing a chapter of his life that stands as a testament to human perseverance.