Lyke Wake Walk

'The man behind the inception of the Lyke Wake Walk, was called Bill Cowley. Bill was a former Indian Civil Servant, North Yorkshire farmer, local historian, journalist and broadcaster. In August 1955, he wrote an article, published in the Dalesman, suggesting the possibility of walking the 67km expanse of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park in less than 24 hours.

'The North Yorkshire Moors National Park, located in the north east corner of North Yorkshire, is England's largest expanse of heather moorland. The idea of walking this area and distance within 24 hours had never been put forward before.

'On the 1st October 1955, Bill Cowley and twelve others, set out to complete this challenge, and succeeded - finishing at the Raven Hall Hotel in Ravenscar within the alloted time frame. The group promptly founded the now famous Lyke Wake Walk Club, and the Lyke Wake Walk became one of the country's first "challenge" walks.