The Lyke Wake Walk was created by Bill Cowley in 1955 and designed to cross the North Yorks Moors at its widest and highest points. The route runs between Scarth Wood Moor, Osmotherley and Ravenscar on the North Sea Coast. The 40 miles of beautiful moorland in the NYM National Park is one of the countries original ‘challenge’ walks.

Who are we?

Kathy and Den live in Stokesley North Yorkshire within sight of the Cleveland Hills which form part of the Lyke Wake Walk. Kathy has led more than 40 crossings and is passionate about the North Yorks Moors and long distance walking in general. Den does the back up, following groups across the moors and is always a welcome sight at a checkpoint. We’re here to answer all your questions and make sure you are fully prepared for an unforgettable experience and that you complete your crossing safely.

For larger groups we have more than one guide. All our guides are appropriately qualified, have first aid training and are insured.

We do private groups and have several booked in 2025 for local charities - contact us if you’d like to discuss hiring a guide for your crossing.

We offer FREE guided walks come and meet us, you don’t have to cross with us to walk with us. Have a look at our walks https://www.facebook.com/groups/1020372053001344

Why choose us?

We only do the Lyke Wake Walk and do far more crossings than any other commercial organisation.

Open group crossings will have a maximum of 15 walkers, it’s generally 12, we meet as strangers and quickly become a well functioning team.

There’s a WhatsApp group set up for each date where we’ll post training tips and walkers can start to get to know each other.

We’ll give you a full kit list and training schedule.

We offer free training walks on the North Yorks Moors, North Yorkshire coast and the Dales, with a Facebook page where the walks are listed. These are free guided walks, you can join as many as you want and you don’t have to cross with us to join them. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1020372053001344

If your not successful on your first attempt you get a second free and a third at gunpoint! Though we may not be able to offer transport.

Once you’ve crossed with us you can join any open group, subject to availability and without transport.

We supply water, unlimited sugar based snacks and blister plasters.

A free surprise gift at the end of the walk.

Open group dates 2025

We cross in both directions, W-E Osmotherley - Ravenscar and E-W Ravenscar to Osmotherley. On all crossings we meet at 0400 transfer to the opposite end of the walk and walk back.

All dates are £110pp with a £50 non refundable deposit to secure a place. If we can resell your place we’ll give you a full refund, we generally have a waiting list for most dates.

Contact us to book.

22nd March E - W

12th April W - E

26th April E -W FULLY BOOKED

14th June W -E FULLY BOOKED

28th June E - W

2nd August W -E FULLY BOOKED

30th August W-E

  • My friends 60th birthday gift!

  • It was cold.....

  • On the Cleveland Way

  • Losing the light

  • A very neat line!

  • Dawn leaving Ravenscar

  • The stepping stones

  • Heading towards Clay Bank

  • You will walk...

  • We have seats - game changer

  • Trig point at the top of Carlton Bank

  • A wet finish

  • A very wet finish

  • The Blue Man

  • Top of Clay Bank

  • Heading towards Clay Bank

  • Cleveland Way

  • A training walk, Saltburn to Sandsend.

  • Dawn on the Cleveland Hills

  • Wet feet.

  • E - W Final decent off the moor just a few miles to go.

  • W - E start of the walk.

  • The Boggy Bit always demands a sacrifice.

  • Love a line up!

  • Fylingdales, we'd lost the light.

  • Lunch stop on a training walk.

  • A happy walker.

  • Yes, this is the path!

  • Soaking your feet at the stepping stones on a hot day is lovely.

  • We often see snakes on the moors.

  • Sunset on the moors.

  • Rudy sometimes joins the walk.

  • W - E Heading towards Clay Bank

  • Happy walkers.

FAQ

  • How long will the walk take - 15 - 18 hours, we walk at the pace of the slowest walker.

  • How much training will I need - We advise people that for 4 months before the walk you need to be walking 20+ miles a minimum of twice a month. Carry as much as you will be carrying on the day so you’re used to having weight on your back and walk up hills, a lot! Obviously the more training you do the easier it’ll be on the day. We offer free training walks, details on the useful links page.

  • Kit list - This is on the kit list page.

  • E - W or W - E The terrain between Blakey Ridge and Ravenscar (half the route) is rough underfoot, from Blakey Ridge to Cod Beck the paths are good, so if you walk E - W you could consider that you do the hardest half first and tackle the rough terrain on fresh legs. Many people cross with us several times to experience both. There are pubs at Osmotherley for that post walk pint! We don’t have a preference, both directions have their good points.

  • Food - You bring your own food, enough to fuel you for a 40 mile walk, you’ll carry a few snacks with you and the bulk will be in the back up vehicle. We provide lots of snacks and all the water you’ll need on the day.

  • First aid - your guide will have a full first aid kit and blister plasters. Bring any regular medication you use and some painkillers. We’ll check on any medical conditions before your walk.

  • Can my supporters meet us at the checkpoints - yes of course, we’ll give you details of where the checkpoints are and rough timings.

Kit list

  • Layers, have a base layer or T-shirt, a long sleeved top and a light jacket.

  • If you’re walking in shorts have some trousers with you.

  • A waterproof jacket.

  • Something to carry 2 litres of water, water bladders are great and more convenient than bottles.

  • Socks, 3 or 4 pairs.

  • If you have them spare walking shoes or boots, if you get your feet wet fresh dry shoe or boots are a game changer.

  • Walking poles if you use them.

  • A head or handheld torch.

  • Any regular medication and painkillers.

  • Food for the day.

  • Sun hat and sunscreen.

You won’t have to carry all this, much of it will go in the support vehicle.

What people say about us.

  • I can personally and highly recommended Kathy’s guide services for this epic and challenging walking experience. All communicated before hand with packing tips, food, fluids and electrolytes that you’ll need. Kathy informs you of expectations and some pre training- types of walks to prepare for the 40 mile effort. Kathy’s partner Den was on support, meeting us various points with water, and refreshments for our backpacks. A well planned day so you can have fun and focus on the amazing scenery

    Ben Jakeman

  • An iconic trek to undertake with staggering views across the North Yorkshire Moors. Despite being a relatively experienced long distance walker, myself and my friend were delighted to be guided across the route by Kathy Finkel. Kathy's knowledge of the terrain and the places to take a break coupled with the support by her partner Den who miraculously showed up just when we needed a drinks refill or a change of socks, made this tough challenge so worthwhile and rewarding........ I might even do it again

    Richard Pennell

  • Kathy was a exceptional guide for The Lyke Wake Walk very knowledgeable on the area and surrounding areas for different walks , often checking how everyone in the group was doing , couldn’t have done it without her anyone looking for a guide I would recommend Kathy 💯 % also the support from her partner Den was very much appreciated the brownies went down a treat!

    Stephanie Louise Crooks

  • I would highly recommend Kathy Finkel as a guide. Great knowledge and care. Don't look any further - book and have an adventure of a lifetime!

    Tim Lloyd

  • Absolutely superb leading and support during the crossing. My first ever challenge walk, double the distance id ever walked before, im so very happy i did it. The group was amazing. Support was great. Loved every bit of it even if my feet suffered 🤣. Will definitely be coming along again at some point.

    Matthew Simpson

Useful links

For lots more information about the walk visit www.lykewake.org

If you find that you enjoy long distance walking look at The Long Distance Walkers Association. They have local groups all over the country and numerous challenge events which are excellent value. Many people refer to the Lyke Wake Walk as a ‘gateway walk’ and have subsequently joined Kathy on LDWA 50 mile walks and a couple are signed up for the 2025 100 so be careful! ldwa.org.uk

We’re negotiating a discount on local accommodation for people who are crossing with us and will update the page with those details soon.

You can book a luxury adult only shepherd hut with a private hot tub with www.inclineviewholidays.co.uk These are on a working farm in the most glorious location. The owners have a private crossing with Kathy in June 2025, so they’ll know your pain! 10% discount for people crossing with us.

Contact us.

kathyfinkel6@icloud.com
07846 941593

1, Roseberry Avenue, Stokesley, North Yorkshire TS9 5HE