27 Years. 50,000 Kilometres.
The Longest Walk Home.
Help fund the final push home. Karl Bushby is in Alberta this March to raise support for his final stretch across Europe and the Channel Tunnel crossing that will complete his walk around the world.
Expedition Dashboard
The Numbers Behind the Walk
Walking since November 1, 1998
More than a full lap around the Earth's circumference.
From Chile to Eastern Europe
The final obstacle to Hull, England
Home Stretch Progress
Karl has completed over 92% of his planned route. The Alberta tour marks the beginning of the final push home to Hull, England.
Alberta Tour 2026
Tour Schedule
Join Karl for a powerful 1-hour presentation followed by a live Q&A. Hear first-hand accounts of crossing the Darien Gap, the Bering Strait, and 27 years of walking the planet.
One night only in Red Deer. Join Karl for an extraordinary evening as he shares stories from his 27-year journey walking around the world. A once-in-a-lifetime event.
An unforgettable evening at the iconic Banff Centre featuring Karl's expedition story and an acoustic set by Sam Roberts. Presented by Friends of Karl.
A special matinee performance in Calgary. Join Karl for an afternoon presentation sharing the incredible stories from his 27-year walk around the world. Tickets on sale February 19.
For media inquiries call (780) 218-3121
27 Years in the Making
Journey Timeline
Karl Bushby in the Chilean desert at the start of his expedition, 1999The Start
On November 1, former British paratrooper Karl Bushby takes his first steps from the southern tip of South America, beginning an audacious attempt to walk unbroken around the entire world.
Central America
Karl walks the entire length of South and Central America—through Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and into Panama. Thousands of kilometres through mountains, deserts, and jungle.
Karl resting in the dense jungle of the Darien Gap, Panama, 2001The Darién Gap
Karl traverses one of the most dangerous stretches of land on Earth—the infamous jungle corridor between Central and South America. Dense rainforest, swamps, and guerrilla territory stand between him and the next road.
Karl trekking across the frozen Arctic coastline of far northeast Russia, 2007North America
The journey continues north through Mexico, across the United States, up through Canada, and into Alaska—walking through blizzards, along highways, and across vast stretches of empty wilderness.
Karl partially submerged in broken sea ice during the Bering Strait crossing, 2006The Bering Strait
Karl and companion Dimitri Kieffer become the first modern explorers to cross the Bering Strait on foot, walking 145 kilometres over unstable sea ice from Alaska to Russia. A defining moment in expedition history.
Karl with a frost-covered camel in the snowy Mongolian steppe, 2017Trapped in Russia
Eleven years navigating Russian bureaucracy, visa denials, and detentions. Karl is repeatedly stopped, deported, and forced to restart segments. Despite the setbacks, he refuses to fly over any distance.
Karl watching a lightning storm from beside his tent in Kazakhstan, 2019Into Central Asia
After finally clearing Russia, Karl pushes through the vast steppes of Kazakhstan and into Central Asia, walking through extreme temperatures and remote terrain with little infrastructure.
Aerial view of Karl swimming across the turquoise Caspian Sea, 2024The Caspian Sea Swim
Because of conflicts in Iran and Russia, Karl couldn't walk. In a remarkable feat of endurance, he swims 288 kilometres across the open Caspian Sea from Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan. The crossing takes weeks and pushes the boundaries of what the expedition demands.
Europe & The Channel
Karl walks through Turkey, the Balkans, and across Western Europe. Ahead lies the final obstacle: the English Channel—with plans to walk the Channel Tunnel maintenance route from France to England.
Home
The finish line. After walking every step from the bottom of South America, Karl's journey ends where it all began—back home in Hull. The final kilometres through the English countryside to complete the greatest walk in human history.
The People Behind the Tour
Friends of Karl
Mark Scholz
Tour Host
Mark Scholz is a long-time Friend of Karl and the host of the Alberta fundraising tour. As host and emcee, Mark brings Karl's incredible story to life on stage and has been instrumental in rallying support to help get Karl home.
Sam Roberts
Musician
Juno Award-winning Canadian musician Sam Roberts joins the Banff Centre event with a special acoustic set. A passionate supporter of Karl's expedition, Sam brings his signature sound to help raise funds for the final leg of the journey.
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