A British traveler is capturing global attention—and sparking plenty of debate—as he documents his daring attempt to walk from the United Kingdom to Southeast Asia completely on foot.
Luke Deakin, the man behind the viral journey, first began his trek in September 2024 and has now walked through 11 countries. His cross-continental route has taken him from England to France, then into Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, and now into Turkey, according to The New York Post.
“Adventure of a Lifetime”: The Mission Behind the Miles
In his YouTube vlog, Deakin says the goal of his journey is simple but powerful: to prove that ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things.
“This is where I’ll face logistical nightmares going hundreds of kilometers without food and water,” he said in a recent clip while discussing the harsh terrain ahead in Central Asia.
Despite traveling without a SIM card, Deakin stays connected using a special app that allows him to post real-time video updates as he walks, camps, and interacts with locals across borders.
He even admitted in June that he overstayed his visa in Turkey by six days—but was prepared to pay the fine so he could keep walking.
Social Media Cheers Him On—And Calls Cap
Not everyone is buying Deakin’s claims. On platforms like TikTok and Reddit, skeptics have pointed out that some of the trails he claims to have walked—like those in war-torn areas—would take months to safely traverse or might be completely inaccessible.
Others have questioned how he’s managing food, safety, and shelter without consistent resources or proper travel clearance in certain countries.
Still, many followers are inspired by his determination and transparency. “Whether he finishes it or not, the dude’s out here doing something wild,” one user commented under his latest video.
His Route: 11 Countries and Counting
Here’s a rough breakdown of Deakin’s current path:
- United Kingdom – Home base
- France – Crossed via the English Channel
- Belgium
- Luxembourg
- Germany
- Austria
- Hungary
- Serbia
- Bulgaria
- Turkey – Where he’s currently located
- (Soon) Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan – Next on his map
If all goes well, Deakin hopes to end up somewhere in Southeast Asia, though he hasn’t confirmed the exact country or city as his final destination. Although Vietnam is the goal so far.