Walk Guide 2015 Web
Walk Guide 2015 Web
Walking Guide
7 complete self-guided walks
[Link]/walking
Go at your own pace Outdoor Leisure Map
It is recommended these walks are
Within its modest shores, encircled by the wild Irish Sea, this Celtic gem used in conjunction with the Isle of Bride
Man Outdoor Leisure Map. Each of
is home to a wealth of walks in a beautiful and diverse landscape. There’s the maps displayed in this guide are Andreas
something to suit all ages and abilities, from gentle rambles on the level to produced from that map and it can be Jurby
2
Ballaugh
The Manx countryside offers a visual feast in every season, so if you’re an all-weather Maughold
walker, any time of year is a good time to visit. The varied programme of the annual Isle
of Man Walking Festival is guaranteed to get you off on the right foot, while planning your 4 Kirk Michael
Snaefell Glen Mona
own walks couldn’t be simpler - start by taking inspiration from this guide.
7
Plentiful travel links with the UK and Ireland make the Isle of Man convenient for a short 3
day’s walking with unique vintage travel. Walking also offers an ideal way to explore the Greeba
The Isle of Man is a place I’d always wanted to visit – and when I did I fell in
St Marks 6
love with it! With its sandy beaches, scenic harbours, spectacular rocky cliffs, Santon
Sound
CASTLETOWN
Calf of Man
WALK GRADINGS
1
LEISURELY - walks for reasonably fit people with at least a little country walking
experience. The route will include un-surfaced rural paths and tracks. Walking
boots and suitable clothing are recommended.
2
MODERATE - walks for people with country walking experience and a good
level of fitness. The route will include some steep paths and open country.
Walking boots and suitable clothing are essential.
3
STRENUOUS - walks for experienced country walkers and a very good level
of fitness. The route will include some hills and rough country. Walking boots
Maughold Brooghs and suitable clothing are essential.
The Ch
asms Peel Hill and Peel Castle Please note these walk gradings are a general guide only. Bear in mind the distance of a walk, regional
differences and the possibility of inclement weather may make a walk more difficult than anticipated.
Route Map
1 Silverdale Glen and Castletown
START / FINISH POINT
Silverdale Glen
A glen and riverside walk taking you through some beautiful Manx Car Park
countryside. Allow yourself sufficient time to explore the historical
Rushen Abbey and Castletown, the ancient capital of Mann.
Grading: Leisurely
By Car: Take the A5 road from Douglas to Castletown. Park by Ballasalla Village Hall.
By Rail: Alight at Ballasalla Station, Rushen Abbey is signposted from the station.
By Bus: Services 1,1A,2,10, 11,11A,12 and 12A connect Douglas to Ballasalla. Services 8 and
8A connect Ballasalla with Port Erin, Foxdale and Peel (limited service).
Route
1. After exploring the delights of Silverdale Glen head towards Castletown with the river
on your left.
2. There are a number of footpaths to choose from, all of which lead to the Monks’ Bridge
at Ballasalla.
3. When you arrive at the Monks’ Bridge, do not cross it but continue along the river to the
ford and footbridge at Ballasalla.
4. When you arrive at the footbridge turn right, away from the river, and walk along a lane
behind Rushen Abbey. (Should you wish to visit Rushen Abbey, continue to walk along the
river; you will find the entrance on your right.)
5. After a few minutes you’ll reach the main road. Cross the road and turn right. Take the
footpath on your left immediately after the bend. Facilities (subject to opening hours)
6. Turn left at the farm and right shortly afterwards at the old ruins. • Silverdale Glen - café
7. You are now walking along the Silverburn River again. Continue along here to Castletown. • Ballasalla - restaurants, public house and general store
• Castletown - numerous cafés, restaurants, public houses and shops
8. The footpath finishes at the road bridge. Cross the road and continue to follow the river as
it enters Castletown harbour. • Public Toilets are located at Ballasalla Station, Ballasalla Village Hall and Silverdale Glen
9. Continue to follow the river, crossing the road at the next road bridge. Castletown is Points of Interest (subject to opening hours and admission charges)
immediately in front of you.
• Silverdale Glen - Children’s Victorian Carousel
10. Return by walking back along the river or by catching a bus or steam-train to Ballasalla
• Ballasalla - Monks’ Bridge, Rushen Abbey
and then walking back to the car park at Silverdale Glen.
• Castletown - Castle Rushen, Old House of Keys, Nautical Museum, Old Grammar School
Route Map
2 Maughold, Port Mooar and Port e Vullen
This outstanding coastal walk in the north of the Island provides
spectacular views and the opportunity to spot plenty of wildlife,
returning via a quiet country lane through rolling farmland.
START / FINISH POINT
Port Lewaigue
Grading: Moderate (very steep in places) Car Park
By Car: Take the A2 from Douglas towards Ramsey and then Maughold road, parking
available by Maughold church and Booilushag.
By Rail: Take the electric tram north to Ramsey from Douglas or Laxey and alight at
Lewaigue or Belle Vue (request stop). Port Lewaigue is a short stroll down the hill.
By Bus: Services 3, 3A, 3B and X3 connect Douglas to Ramsey, services 16, 16A and 16B
connects Ramsey to Maughold.
3. Leave the shore via the slipway at Port e Vullen, turn left onto the quiet road.
Nature - Watch
Maughold Brooghs is an excellent area for observing marine
4. After about 100 yards follow the Raad Ny Foillan (coastal footpath) sign on the left. and bird life. Many wild flowers grow here, including orchids.
Grey Seals can easily be spotted in the waters off Maughold
5. You are now on Maughold Brooghs, heading towards Maughold Head lighthouse.
Head and around Port Mooar.
6. After 1.5 miles you will reach a track on the left which leads down to St Maughold’s Well.
7. The coastal footpath leads behind the St Maughold’s Church. If you wish to view the Celtic
and Manx crosses they are on display in the churchyard in the cross house to the right.
8. Continue following the coastal footpath behind the church as it leads to the hidden cove
of Port Mooar.
9. Follow the lane from Port Mooar to the quiet road and turn right back towards Maughold.
10. Continue on this road, through the hamlet of Maughold and back to Port Lewaigue.
Distance: 4 miles
By Car: Take the A2 coast road between Douglas and Ramsey, parking available in the village.
By Rail: Manx Electric Railway from Douglas or Ramsey. Alight at Laxey or Minorca (request
stop) for King Orry’s Grave only.
START /
By Bus: Services 3 and 3A from Douglas and Ramsey, or the less frequent service13 from FINISH POINT
Douglas and Onchan.
Laxey Station
Route
1. Cross the main road opposite the station and proceed up Ham and Egg Terrace, following
the signs to the Laxey Wheel. The wheel can be seen directly infront of you.
2. Walk past the entrance to the wheel, continuing up the steep but very quiet road for just
under a mile to the hamlet of Agneash.
3. Go straight ahead, past some small cottages on the right, taking the footpath running
alongside a garden and across a footbridge.
4. Follow this footpath as it heads towards the ruins of a large house. Continue behind the
Facilities (subject to opening hours)
house and diagonally across a field, pass some old mine workings.
• Laxey - numerous public houses, restaurants and cafés
5. Continue to follow the footpath and when it runs alongside a house, climb the few steps
up the bank heading towards a cottage and a plantation. • Public toilets are located at Laxey Station and Laxey Promenade
6. Take the stile over the dry stone wall and turn right going through the wood. Turn right Points of Interest (subject to opening hours and admission charges)
again when you reach the footpath junction.
• Great Laxey Wheel, Snaefell Wheel and the Washing Floors, Great Laxey Mines Railway,
7. The footpath then crosses the river as you head down towards Minorca. When you reach Laxey Woollen Mill, Snaefell Mountain Railway
a small housing estate turn right onto the road. King Orry’s Grave is just a short distance
along on both your left and right hand side. Nature - Watch
8. Cross the main road and continue down the hill to the harbour and beach. Minke Whales may be spotted off the Island’s east coast in
the waters around Laxey Bay during the Autumn and Winter
9. To return to the station, retrace your steps and take Glen Road, heading towards the Woollen
Mills where you can find a gallery and tearoom. After the Mills, take the lane to the right of months. You may also catch a Bottlenose Dolphin between
the bridge up to the former washing floors, the Snaefell Wheel and the Great Laxey Mines the months of October and March.
Railway. Laxey Station can be found on the main road a short distance to the left.
Route Map
4 Glen Mooar and Glen Wyllin
Two beautiful glens, a disused Victorian railway line, an ancient site,
a nature reserve and one of the Island’s tallest waterfalls. What more
START / FINISH POINT
could you want from a short walk? Glen Wyllin Campsite
Car Park
Distance: 4 miles
By Car: From Douglas, follow the A1 west to Ballacraine. Turn right at the traffic lights and take
the A3 to Kirk Michael. On entering the village, turn left along the A4 in the direction of
Peel. At the foot of the hill turn right and find parking close to the beach.
By Bus: Services 5,5A, 5C,6A and 6C from Douglas to Ramsey, stopping in Kirk Michael.
1. Walk past the camp site buildings and take the footpath on the right. A short climb up the • Kirk Michael - Post Office, Mitre Public House, Quayles Store, Glen Wyllin Campsite Store
wooden steps takes you to the dismantled railway track. • Public toilets are located at Glen Wyllin Campsite and Kirk Michael (main road)
2. Continue along here for just under a mile, passing beneath two bridges.
Points of Interest (subject to opening hours and admission charges)
3. When you reach a lane, go straight ahead passing through a gate. This footpath
• Cabbal Pherick (St Patrick’s Chapel), an early Christian keeill
meanders down into Glen Mooar.
• Spooyt Vane waterfall
4. Cross the footbridge and turn left. You are now walking up the glen towards the waterfall.
5. At the top of the glen, turn left to visit Spooyt Vane, one of the Island’s tallest waterfalls.
Nature - Watch
Cooildarry Nature Reserve, owned by the Manx Wildlife Trust
6. Return to the footpath and at the top of the glen go through the gate and over the footbridge. makes for a lovely wooded riverside walk. In springtime, the
woodland floor is carpeted with primrose, wood anemone,
7. Turn left, pass the parking area and take the narrow road to the right. Continue along
wood sorrel, lesser celandine and bluebell.
here and up the hill for 0.5 miles.
8. Turn left onto the by-way sign-posted Cooil Dharry. Continue along here for one mile.
Should you wish to visit the nature reserve you will pass the entrance after 0.8 miles.
9. Shortly after the nature reserve you’ll walk past a few houses to reach the A4. The lane
taking you back to Glen Wyllin and your start/finish point is immediately in front of you.
Grading: Leisurely
Distance: 7 miles
By Car: From Douglas, follow the A1 to St Johns. Parking found in the car park located close START / FINISH POINT
to St John’s school. St John’s Village
By Bus: Services 4, 5,5A, 5C,6,6A and 6C from Douglas to St John’s. Car Park
Route
Facilities (subject to opening hours)
1. Take the Heritage Trail heading towards Peel. A little under 0.5 miles a bridge takes you
across the River Neb. • St John’s - café and public house
2. Just after the bridge, take the steps and footpath on the right (next to a sub-station). • Peel - numerous cafés, restaurants and public houses
• Public toilets are available on the main road in St Johns and the seafront in Peel
3. After a hundred yards you will reach the A1. The footpath continues on the other side of
the road. Take care crossing as this is a fast section of the road. You now continue along
Points of Interest (subject to opening hours and admission charges)
the old railway track for 1.8 miles.
• St John’s - Tynwald Hill (the ancient site of the Manx parliament), Tynwald National Park
4. Leave the track at Ballagyr Lane and turn left.
• Peel - House of Manannan, Leece Museum, Transport Museum, Moore’s Kipper House
5. After a hundred yards, take the lane on the right which leads to the A4.
• Heritage Steam Trail
6. Turn left and almost immediately take the footpath on the right, signed the Raad Ny Foillan.
Continue along this coastal footpath for 1.5 miles into Peel.
Nature - Watch
Basking Sharks, Minke Whales and Grey Seals can all be
7. Walking alongside the harbour, past the Leece Museum heading towards the House spotted around the Breakwater in Peel.
of Manannan, but do not cross the footbridge. You are now leaving the Raad Ny Foillan
(coastal footpath).
8. Continue past Peel Transport Museum and Moore’s Traditional Kipper Factory to find the
Heritage Trail directly in front of you.
9. Keeping the River Neb on your right, continue along the trail for 3 miles back to St John’s.
Grading: Leisurely
Distance: 6 miles
By Car: All major routes to Douglas. Day parking at Chester Street or Shaws Brow.
By Rail: The Isle of Man Steam Railway Douglas terminus is located at the top of North Quay.
By Bus: All major bus routes serve Douglas the capital of the Isle of Man.
5. After just under 0.5 miles you will reach a ford and footbridge. Before you cross the river
Nature - Watch
take the hidden footpath on the right. This will take you to the real Fairy Bridge. Risso’s Dolphins and the awesome Basking Shark may be
spotted in the waters off Marine Drive during the Summer
6. Returning back to the track, cross the river and continue for about 400 yards and then months. Over Winter you may also spot Bottlenose Dolphins
turn left along the tarmac track leading to the A25. and Minke Whales.
7. Turn left, go over the railway bridge and then turn right.
9. Turn left at Keristal. You are now walking along Marine Drive.
10. Continue along this very quiet road, which is partially closed to traffic, for approximately 3
miles as it hugs the coastline to Douglas.
11. Shortly after passing through the stone gateway, the Great Camera Obscura is on the right.
Also on Douglas Head is a statue of Sir William Hillary, the founder of the RNLI.
12. Meander down Douglas Head to Douglas Harbour and back to the steam railway station.
Route Map
7 Dhoon Glen
Dhoon Glen is one of the Island’s most dramatic glens and waterfalls,
nestling in a steep-sided valley, which leads to an isolated cove. The
return route takes you over the cliffs with stunning coastal views
before walking amongst the tree canopy and back to the car park.
Distance: 2 miles
By Car: Take the A2 Douglas to Ramsey Coast Road to the Dhoon. There is plenty of parking
to be found directly opposite the Dhoon Glen Halt and the glen’s entrance.
By Rail: Manx Electric Railway from Douglas, Laxey or Ramsey. Alight at Dhoon Glen Halt.
By Bus: Services 3 and 3A stop at the Dhoon Halt car park between Laxey and Ramsey.
7. The path then turns inland. You are now walking above the glen.
8. Just before you reach a lane, take the track on the right.
9. Following this track leads you back to the picnic area at the top of the glen.
3 STRENUOUS
Wildlife Watching Top ways to go walking in the Isle of Man
Ayres Visitor Centre and Nature Trail Wardens Walks
The Ayres National Nature Reserve, covering several miles of lichen heath, shingle beach and These self-guided walks are planned by the Forestry’s experienced and knowledgeable warden
around the Island’s plantations. They take in some of the Island’s best landscapes and vary in
sandy dunes, is famous for its wildlife, rare flora and nesting birds. The Ayres coastline is also a
difficulty, distance and terrain. The walks can be downloaded at [Link]/walking
great place to spot marine wildlife. The Visitor Centre is open May - September (free admission). or purchased at the Welcome Centre, Sea Terminal.
Curator Walks
Marine Wildlife A series of guided walks ran by Manx National Heritage exploring ancient monuments, coast and
countryside in May to August. Go to [Link]/whats-on to find out more.
While a boat trip naturally offers the best chance of marine wildlife encounters, there
are plenty of good vantage points around the coast for sightings and permanent Ghostly goings on
binocular sites let you take a closer look: The historic, winding streets of Douglas, Peel, Castletown and Ramsey are
alive with strange and chilling echoes from the past. Ghost walks bring to
Basking Sharks life ghoulish characters and incidents from Manx history and myth. Go to
[Link] for more information.
Where: All around the coastline but most commonly sighted along the west coast around
Peel breakwater and Niarbyl Bay. Get a guide
When: May - September. There are many qualified tour guides offering walks for all abilities that vary in length and location.
Go-Mann Adventures offer a number of guided walks led by Dr Andrew Foxon, Manx Registered Tour
Bottlenose Dolphins Guide and qualified Walking Group Leader. Find out more at [Link]/GoMannAdventures
Where: East coast, especially Marine Drive and Douglas Bay. Activity Trails
When: October - March. Manx Activity Trails offer self-guided maps for driving, walking and kids days out, with a few fun
questions along the way! Go to [Link] for more information.
Risso’s Dolphins
Go Geocaching
Where: South-east coast from Douglas to The Sound.
This family friendly activity is a great way of seeing the outdoors. Why not
When: April - August. try finding one of the 25 caches hidden along the Millennium Way or the
one hidden at the Tower of Refuge in Douglas Bay, only accessible when
Minke Whales tide times permit! Go to [Link] for more information.
Where: West coast (Summer), especially Niarbyl Bay; east coast (Autumn/Winter),
especially Marine Drive, Laxey Bay, Bulgham Bay.
Glorious Glens
The Island’s 18 National Glens are jewels in the Island’s wild landscape. Whatever the weather the glens
When: June - December. offer a wonderful way to get away from it all and are a paradise for walkers, artists and nature lovers.
You’re never far away from somewhere good to eat in the Isle of Man; most of our recommended • Disturb birds’ nests
walks tie in with cafés, pubs and restaurants. Pick up your free copy of the Taste Isle of Man • Damage walls or fences
directory for a complete list of quality-assured eating out establishments. Available at the
• Trespass on private property
Welcome Centre or go to [Link]/taste.
• Foul pools or streams
• Damage crops
Wheel
Great Laxey Castle Rushen
Maughold Lighthouse
Key Contacts
Isle of Man Forestry Directorate – 01624 801263
Isle of Man Weather – 0900 6243 300
Isle of Man Welcome Centre – 01624 686766
(open Monday to Saturday year round)
Nobles Hospital, Douglas – 01624 650000
Ramsey Cottage Hospital – 01624 811811
Please note: While every effort has been made to include accurate and up-to-date information, the Department
of Economic Development does not accept responsibility for any errors or omissions. For up to date
information on bus and rail times go to [Link].
Maps courtesy of Department of Infrastructure Mapping Service. © Crown Copyright, Department of Infrastructure, Isle of Man