Photo: Brandon Godfrey
Traveling around the world is one thing; walking around it is a completely other story. Here are six people who, in one way or another, took the slow route.
It takes about 20 millions steps to walk around the world, several years commitment as well as determination, stamina, and a state of mind that few of us can imagine.
Strict rules, taking into account distance covered, and verification of continents crossed, govern entry into the elite club of those that have ‘officially’ walked around the world. While many successful foot circumnavigations of the globe have not achieved official recognition, they are still an epic demonstration of human endurance and courage.
Here are just a few:
1. Dave Kunst
Dave Kunst
Dave Kunst was the very first (verified) person to complete an entire circuit of the earth on foot (not including the oceans, of course).
Beginning in June 1970, Dave, accompanied by his brother John, left on a journey that would take them across Europe, North America, Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
Sadly, John Kunst was shot and killed by bandits in Afghanistan during this adventure, but Dave completed this journey with his other brother Pete.
He walked 14,450 miles total in just over 4 years.
2. Steven Newman
Steven Newman
Listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the first person to walk around the world solo, Steve Newman crossed 20 countries and walked some 15,000 miles during his four-year journey.
Since the time he finished his walk in 1987, he has also walked the length of Japan, South Korea and Taiwan and completed the 900-mile Henro Pilgrimage path on Japan’s Shikoku Island.
He is currently planning the first ever walk across the entire length of the Great Wall of China.
3. Rosie Swale-Pope
Rosie Swale-Pope / Photo: The Telegraph
In 2003, at age 57 (yes, 57), Rosie Swale-Pope was not content with just walking around the world - she ran.
To help raise cancer awareness and aid for several other charities, Rosie took on one of the most adventurous – and difficult – routes to travel the world: Russia, Alaska, Canada, Mainland USA, Greenland, Iceland and the UK.
She wore through over 50 pairs of running shoes and raised more than £250,000 for charity.
4. Ffyona Campbell
Ffyona Campbell / Photo: Portal Planet
The official record of “first woman to walk around the world” was taken away from Ffyona Campbell when it emerged she cheated on a few miles of the journey during the USA leg of her trip.
Nonetheless, she completed a walk of 20,000 miles, crossing the USA, Australia, Africa and Europe in the space of 11 years.
She has since made up the distance missed in the USA. Although she cannot reclaim her lost record, she holds the record for the fastest crossing of Australia on foot – 3,200 miles in just 95 days.
5. George Meegan
George Meegan
From Tierra Del Fuego to the northernmost part of Alaska, George Meegan walked 19,019 miles in 2,425 days (1977-1983).
He holds the record for the longest unbroken walk, the first and only walk to cover the entire western hemisphere, and the most degrees of latitude ever covered on foot.
He also maintains four other records relating to countries and continents crossed during the course of his journey.
6. Karl Bushby
Karl Bushby / Photo: BBC
Originally planned on the back of a beer mat and started in 1998, Karl Bushby’s 14 year, 36,000 mile plan is to walk from the bottom of South America, north to Alaska, heading west crossing the vast expanse of Siberia, then through Europe on his way back to the UK.
His walk is currently stalled in the middle of Russia, pending visas and sponsorship.
Karl Bushby’s attempt is just one of around 20 that are in progress at the moment, most in aid of charity or to raise awareness of global issues, including ‘Hawk’ McGinnis, Gary Hause, Jean Béliveau, and Daren Wendell and William Bryan Schlackman.
What do you think of the idea of walking around the world? Share your thoughts below.
Community Connection
For other unconventional ways to travel the world, check out How to Travel Around the World Without Flying. And don’t miss Christoph Rehage On Wacky Beards And Taking The Longest Way.
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19 Comments... join the discussion!
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Geez. I don’t even feel like walking down the street to get a coffee right now.
@Babel…for real? Please share the details…
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I’m leaving in April to walk from Seattle, WA to Baton Rouge, LA. Maybe if I send this to my parents, they’ll give me a break…
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I heard about George Meegan through a guy named Tyler McNiven. McNiven was inspired by Meegan and he walked the length of Japan a couple of years ago. McNiven was also a contestand (and won) the Amazing Race Season 9.
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I love it!
I respect those people, walking makes you go slow, enjoy, bathe in, and see what’s around you. Men are made for walking!
I am a walker myself.. I have done over 1500 miles in a year… Just walking, with my backpack, everyday
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I’ve been thinking of the round the world without flying thing, but maybe making that round the world walking could be better. It is a big challenge of course, but think of what you see, who you meet, how your life will be change forever by the doing of such a thing. Very inspiring. Time to think!
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I think Andorra would be enough for me.
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Impressive stuff! I remember walking the Camino to Santiago de Compostela a few years back. Met all sorts of crazy walkers. One who was walking from his house in Sweden (and walked faster than I could run), and one guy who walked all the way to Santiago, stayed one night, and then started walking to Rome!
Not a patch on your list, though.
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wow, what an adventure!
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Hi dear Daniel N
Very nice to hear about u and walking 1500 miles i a year. I like very much those peoples who walk on foot not those who can’t walk a foot without luxury vehicle.
I’ve also plan to walk around the world but problem is that i haven’t and companion bcz mostly Pakistani thinks there is nothing except time wasting but I’ve decide to start alone. If there is any person who want to follow with me than plz inform me. I feel pleasure if u will agree to be a companion. Detailed discussion on reply
Still waiting…………
Thanks a lot
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Hey Hussain!
Thank you very much for thinking about me for your round-the-world travel, it’s an honor
I would really love to join you in your next travels! But unfortunately I currently am in China, visiting, then I guess I’ll stop for a while in Thailand to take care of my photography business and get some income to continue traveling later
If I can give any advice though… Go for it! Even alone. You’d be amazed how many travelers you’ll encounter on your path. Maybe not everyone will follow you all the way through but many will probably share a part of the journey.
Stay open, smile a lot, be curious and start walking. You’ll have the best time in your life!Cheers and i’ll probably meet you on the road or in thailand!
Dan.
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Early in my dreaming (now planning) of the AT I’d thought of walking to the Georgia trailhead from Boulder. It would’ve taken me 3 months. Now I sort of wish I would’ve done it!
These walkers are truly inspiring. I just finished reading through Steven Newman’s website – SO cool and inspiring – esp the FAQs.↵ -
writerman – I read a book called Beyond the Horizon by Colin Angus. He was the first to circle the globe on manpower alone. He started in Vancouver, biked to Alaska, rowed across the Bering Straight, biked/skiied across Siberia, biked to Portugal, rowed across the Atlantic to Central America, then biked through the United States back to Vancouver. I think he did it in about 2 years. It’s a good read!
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Hi,
I’ve also plan to walk around the world. My mission to circle that land mass of earth. I’ve tried to my best to follow me someone from ,y my home country but it seems that there no one have a courage to suffer this pain. So I most welcome to any one who wish to walk with me around the the world. I am ready to start but waiting for any fellow.
Would u like to walk with me.Waiting for kind reply
Ghulam Hussain Lahore, Pakistan
Cell: +92 300 666 3996
ndwarraich@gmail.com↵ -
I know it’s not about going around the world and you may have already read it, but if not, A Walk Across America and its sequel The Walk West by Peter Jenkins are great. In the early 70’s he walked from the northeast to New Orleans in book one, then to Oregon from New Orleans in book two. The way he does it is by walking till he’s out of money, then he stays somewhere and works until he has earned enough money to go on. Great read.
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I will start my around the world trip in 2 years im saving money to backpack europe, but then for the others continents i will continue without money, i will work in temporary jobs, or make a blog with my story, taking pictures, or make videos…..
who wants to join?
xavi_andreas94@hotmail.com↵ -
Hi deat Dan,
How are you & how is going expedition? Where are you now a days. I hope that you’ll be fine by grace of God. May God succeed you in this mission.
Hussain
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Have any of you hear about Baryl Smeaton? She treked by herself many years ago, and many times. She has written a couple of books if you can get your hands on them, they are pretty hard to find. – The Stars are my Blanket, and Winter Shoes in Springtime… Really amazing stuff, especially in those days.
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You left off Polly Letofsky!
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