Karl Bushby Returns to Hull After His 28-Year Walk Around the World
The British adventurer has reached his mother's home in Hull, ending a journey begun in Chile in 1998, with crowds gathering to welcome him back.
By Hushread Stories, from 14 outlets · First published 2 Nov 2026
In brief
- Karl Bushby completed his journey on November 2, returning to his mother's home in Hull.
- The British former paratrooper began in Chile in 1998, expecting to return within twelve years.
- His route crossed four continents, including the Americas, Russia and parts of Central Asia and Europe.
- Reports differ on the total distance travelled, with estimates ranging from 31,000 to 36,000 miles.
- Crowds welcomed Bushby home, and he embraced his mother, Angela, outside her house in northern England.
Timeline · 5 moments
Bushby reaches mother's house and embraces Angela
Associated Press ↗Crowds cheer Bushby's arrival back in Hull
Euronews ↗Humber Bridge crowds leave Bushby feeling overwhelmed
BBC - Home ↗Journey enters its final twenty four hours
Home | GB News ↗Bushby nears home after crossing four continents on foot
nu.nl ↗How it started
Karl Bushby set out in 1998 to walk home from the southern tip of South America. His son Adam was eight, and he expected the journey to take no more than 12 years, according to the Daily Mail. It took 28.
The former British paratrooper began in Chile. His rules barred using transport to move forwards and required him to make the journey on foot, GB News reported.
How it unfolded
Over the following 28 years, Bushby's route took him across four continents, according to Il Post. Deutsche Welle described a journey through the Americas, Russia and parts of Central Asia and Europe, made almost entirely on foot.
By October 31, 2026, he was nearing home after more than 50,000 kilometres, nu.nl reported. On November 1, GB News placed him less than 24 hours from completing the journey.
The welcome began before the final arrival. On November 1, the BBC reported that Bushby felt overwhelmed by the crowds at the Humber Bridge.
On November 2, he reached Hull to cheers from a crowd that Euronews put at up to 1,000 people. The journey ended at his mother's home, where he embraced Angela outside her row house, according to the Associated Press.
Where it stands
Bushby is home, and the journey is complete. Reports agree on the 28 years but differ on the distance: the Associated Press gives 31,000 miles, while Top Stories gives 36,000 miles. Deutsche Welle reports 50,000 kilometres, broadly matching the lower figure.
The accounts also differ on the size of the welcome. Telegraaf reported about 500 people, compared with up to 1,000 in Euronews. Both describe crowds gathering in his home city for the end of a journey that began in 1998.
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