Karl Bushby Returns to Hull After Walking 50,000 Kilometers Across the Globe
Karl Bushby walked through the fog across the bridge over the Humber on November 2, 2026, returning to his hometown of Hull in Northern England exactly 28 years after he first set out to circumnavigate the earth on foot. Hundreds of supporters gathered at Queen Victoria Square to welcome the 57-year-old adventurer, who completed the final stretch of his journey without using any motorized transport. His 75-year-old mother, Angela Bushby, waited for him outside his childhood home before he reunited with his 36-year-old son and met his 12-year-old granddaughter for the first time.
The mission began in November 1998 when Bushby departed Punta Arenas in Chile with 500 dollars in his pocket, a tent, a cheap camera, and minimal gear. His original plan was to complete the trek in about 12 years. Instead, geopolitical barriers, financial crashes, and natural obstacles extended the timeline to nearly three decades. Bushby served in the Parachute Regiment of the British Army before he mapped a line across a global atlas, inspired by his father’s wonder about walking from London to New York.
Crossing Four Continents and 29 Countries on Foot
Bushby’s route took him across four continents and through 29 countries, accumulating a total distance of more than 50,000 kilometers. The trek required traversing deserts, dense jungles, and frozen seas. Early in the expedition, he crossed the Darién Gap in Central America and walked north through the Americas. He later crossed the frozen Bering Strait between Alaska and Russia on foot, an undertaking that led to a temporary detention by Russian authorities for illegal border crossing.
Bureaucracy and global events forced long pauses in the journey. Bushby spent years dealing with visa renewals, logistical planning, and sponsorship negotiations while returning to Mexico periodically. Out of the 28 elapsed years, he spent roughly 15 years actively walking. Economic downturns, including the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, imposed additional years of delay where he remained stranded in various locations.
Bulgarian police fine walker on highway shoulder
Bushby’s route through Europe brought him to Sofia, Bulgaria, in November 2025, where he praised the city as fantastic. However, the Bulgarian leg involved an unexpected enforcement action. British documentarian James Grant, who accompanied Bushby locally, recounted that traffic police stopped the traveler and issued a fine because he was walking along the hard shoulder of a highway while pushing his equipment cart. Grant noted that no other country had penalized him for a traffic rule violation up to that point.
The final phase of the expedition required water crossings. Bushby swam 300 kilometers across the Caspian Sea during the Asian segment of his travels. He also swam across the English Channel to reach British shores, setting up his final approach to Northern England.
Filmmaker chronicles multi-decade trek on camera
German filmmaker Werner Herzog is making a documentary film chronicling the multi-decade trek. Throughout the journey, Bushby managed his logistical needs by pulling a cart loaded with his basic supplies, spare gear, and heavily worn tires. He carried essential medicine, sleeping bags, and headlamps inside.
Bushby intends to launch a lecture tour across England in the weeks following his homecoming. He also plans to focus on public speaking engagements and work on a continuation of his memoirs. Standing on an improvised stage in Hull, Bushby addressed the crowd of supporters and media crews, saying of the reception: “This is complete madness.”
Frequently Asked Questions About the Global Walking Expedition
How many total kilometers did Karl Bushby walk?
Bushby covered more than 50,000 kilometers across four continents and 29 countries during his 28-year expedition.
Why did the journey take 28 years instead of the originally planned 12?
Obstacles included visa disputes, detentions in Russia, the 2008 financial crisis, and pandemic-related travel restrictions that kept him stranded for years at a time.
Who directed the upcoming documentary about the trek?
German filmmaker Werner Herzog is making a documentary film centered on Bushby’s round-the-world walking project.
What strict rules did Bushby follow throughout the trip?
Bushby adhered to two main rules: never return home before fully completing the challenge, and never use any form of motorized transport to advance along his mapped route.