The New Lyke Wake Club

Coconut Water and Local Ale – Indy

Hi, I’m Indranath a Sri Lankan completed the walk yesterday! Happy to share my experience with club members. 

Report on the Completion of the Lyke Wake Walk

Date of Walk: 1 July

On 1 July, I completed the Lyke Wake Walk as an unplanned solo challenge across the North York Moors. The day began with the earliest train from Huddersfield to Northallerton, followed by a bus to Osmotherley.

I started the walk from the Osmotherley bus stop at 08:40. Conditions during the first half of the route were excellent—warm, dry, and ideal for walking. But costs me litre of coconut water which was my only fluid source. Most of the normally boggy sections had dried out, and even my white walking shoes remained in surprisingly good condition.

I reached the Lion Inn at 14:20, where I stopped for a well-earned break. A pint of local ale (the name escapes me) and half litre of water helped replenish my energy before continuing at 14:40. While I may have forgotten the name of the ale, I will never forget the distinctive smell of the peaty moorland, which is one of the lasting memories of the walk.

The second half of the journey brought a change in the weather. Continuous light drizzle, accompanied by a refreshing evening breeze, persisted for the final 20 km. Rather than making the walk more difficult, these conditions helped keep me cool, reduced the risk of exhaustion, and slowed my water consumption.I reached Flyingdales at 21:02, only to realise there were still around two miles remaining to the official finish. My original plan had been to catch the 93X bus to Scarborough and then the last train back to Huddersfield. However, with the time and distance remaining, I changed my plans and looked for accommodation near Ravenscar. Fortunately, I was able to secure a room at the Grand Villa.

I reached the official finish at the Lyke Wake Walk radio beacon at 21:47, completing the route in 13 hours and 7 minutes. I managed to take the traditional finish photograph in the last remaining daylight, providing a fitting end to a memorable day.

Looking back, I would recommend early July as an excellent time to attempt the Lyke Wake Walk. The combination of dry ground, comfortable temperatures, and long daylight hours made for favourable conditions. Walkers should nevertheless carry plenty of fluids, as the route is remote and physically demanding, with limited opportunities to refill water.

Completing the Lyke Wake Walk alone was a challenging but immensely rewarding experience. It required endurance, careful pacing, and adaptability when plans changed. The sense of achievement on reaching the radio beacon after more than thirteen hours on the moors made every mile worthwhile.

Best regards

Indy