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Isle of Man Walking Festival 11 - 16 May 2014 www.visitisleofman.com/walkingfestival Great Laxey Wheel The Steam Railway Fenella Beach & Peel Castle Isle of Man Walking Festival Are you looking for a unique walking holiday experience? Do you enjoy walking on hills, moors, glens, forests and 11 - 16 May 2014 beaches abounding with wildlife amongst stunning scenery? If the answer is yes, then the Isle of Man Walking Festival is the place for you. Failt erriu gys Ellan Vannin Welcome to the Isle of Man Vintage transport, culture, history coupled with the unique Manx experience and our 10th birthday celebrations will make the 2014 Isle of Man Walking Festival a sensory delight. You don’t even need to bring your car as all the walks are linked to our extensive transport system. As numbers are limited on some of our walks please complete the booking form as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If you have any queries about the walks, please contact the Walking Festival Director: [email protected] If you wish to discuss the booking arrangements, please contact Isle of Man Event Services: [email protected] Isle of Man Tourism Calendar of Events Day / Date Ref Walk / Event Title Sunday 11 May REG Welcome Evening and Registration Monday 12 May MON1 Douglas Town Walk MON2 A Foxdale Railway Walk MON3 The Albert Tower Amble MON4 Babbling Glens MON5 A Spring Delight MON6 Glen to Summit MON7 The Southern Peaks and The Whisky Run MON8 Raad Ny Foillan Stage 1 MONS Evening Social Event - Tynwald Chambers Tour Tuesday 13 May TUE1 Peel Town Walk TUE2 Twitchers’ Paradise TUE3 The Meayll Hill Meander TUE4 On Top Of The World TUE5 The Walk That Has It All TUE6 Secrets Of The Glen TUE7 The Kipper Canter TUES Evening Social Event - Go Batty! Bat Walk in Douglas Wednesday 14 May WED1 Ramsey Town Walk WED2 Mountain Navigation Skills WED3 Farm Walk WED4 The Derby WED5 A Taste of the Interior WED6 A Glimpse Into the Past WED7 The Millennium Way Meander WED8 Coast to Coast WEDS Evening Social Event - Ceilidh/Manx Barndance Thursday 15 May THU1 Twitchers’ Paradise THU2 Mountain Navigation Skills THU3 The Curragh THU4 Maughold Delight THU5 Ancient Routes THU6 Coastal Splendour THU7 The Southern Peaks and The Whisky Run THUS Evening Social Event - Go Batty! Bat Walk in Douglas Friday 16 May FRI1 Farm Walk FRI2 Greeting The Little People FRI3 Walking With A Purpose FRI4 Beaches and Birds FRI5 Manx Northern Railway Walk FRI6 Raad Ny Foillan Ramble FRIS Evening Social Event - 10th Anniversary Celebrations Monday 12 - Friday 16 May CPW Coastal Path Walk (Raad Ny Foillan) The Isle of Man is undoubtedly one of my favourite places for walking in the British Isles. Despite its size, I find something new every time I visit. The last time it was the delights of the Herring Way. The time before, the part of the Coast Path between Port St Mary and Port Erin. Every time different. Where else can you walk from the coast, through woods, dales and glens before reaching a mountain – all within a 3 hour walk? And what better time to experience walking on the Island than the Walking Festival? Because here, you’re not just visiting for the walking, you’ve got entertainment laid on too. A complete package holiday with walking as its theme. Stunning scenery, fascinating history and the most friendly of people – it’s certainly time for another visit to the Isle of Man… Andrew White Senior Editor/Producer - Walks Around Britain Gradings: How easy is this walk? 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 1 are recommended. 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 2 clothing are essential. STRENUOUS - walks for experienced country walkers and a very good level of fitness. The route will include some hills and rough country. Walking boots and suitable clothing 3 are essential. Please note: These walk gradings provided are a general guide only. If you have any doubts about your fitness for a particular walk please contact the organiser or leader in advance. Bear in mind the distance of the walk, regional differences and the possibility of inclement weather, may make a walk more difficult than anticipated. It is at the guide’s discretion to change the route of a walk should the weather conditions, or other extraneous circumstances, deem it necessary to change a route. Please note: All public transport links mentioned commence in Douglas. Maughold Brooghs The Chasms Peel Hill and Peel Castle The Walks Monday 12 May 2014 MON1 Douglas Town Walk 1 LEISURELY Distance: Minimal Start: Meet 10:00 at the War Memorial opposite the Villa Marina Return: Walk finishes in central Douglas Summary: Douglas is not all that it seems. Scratch the surface to find hidden Victorian delights such as the Gaiety Theatre and the Great Camera Obscura. Explore the town to find out its secrets during its heyday. MON2 A Foxdale Railway Walk 1 LEISURELY Distance: 2.5 miles Start: 11:40 bus number 4 from Douglas to Foxdale Return: Return buses at 15:22 / 15:56 / 16:27 / 16:55 Summary: Foxdale was one of the great mining centres of the Isle of Man and this walk gives you MONDAY an insight into the extensive use of the railways before their decline and then closure in the mid 20th century. There will also be an opportunity to visit the Foxdale Heritage Centre. The walk finishes at St John’s, the site of the interchange station. There will then be plenty of opportunity to explore Tynwald, the site of the ancient Manx Parliament. EVENTS: MON3 The Albert Tower Amble 2 MODERATE Distance: 4 miles Start: 09:40 Manx Electric Railway from Douglas to Ramsey Return: Manx Electric Railway 15:40 / 16:40 (or bus 10/40 past the hour) Summary: An opportunity to explore the beautiful countryside surrounding Ramsey including the Albert Tower and Ballure Glen. Did the Royal Family really visit the Isle of Man? You will know for certain if you choose this walk. MON4 Babbling Glens 2 MODERATE Distance: 6 miles Start: 09:40 Manx Electric Railway from Douglas to Dhoon Return: Manx Electric Railway 14:00 / 15:00 / 16:00 Summary: The route starts with a cliff walk to Dhoon Bay and then up through the spectacular Dhoon Glen, the steepest and longest glen on the Isle of Man. A short trip on the Manx Electric Railway then follows before a stunning walk to the magical Ballaglass Glen. A day of vintage transport, sea, stunning waterfalls and beautiful wildflowers. MONDAY EVENTS: MON5 A Spring Delight 2 MODERATE Distance: 6 miles Start: 10:15 bus number 26 from Douglas to Cronkbourne Return: Frequent buses Summary: A beautiful varied walk through the countryside just outside Douglas, taking in farms and a nature reserve all bursting to life with blossom galore. A relaxing breath of country-air walking at this best. MON6 Glen to Summit 3 STRENUOUS Distance: 10 miles Start: 09:40 Manx Electric Railway from Douglas to Glen Mona Return: 14:15 / 15:00 / 15:55 / 16:45 Snaefell Mountain Railway + change in Laxey for Douglas Summary: A beautiful and invigorating moorland walk takes you from Glen Mona up to the famous Black Hut on the TT Course. After admiring the stunning views there is a steep, but very rewarding, climb to the summit of Snaefell. After taking the Manx Electric Railway down to Laxey, there will be plenty of time to visit the historical Laxey Wheel before returning to Douglas. What a brilliant week - thanks to the organisers and roll on next year! MON7 The Southern Peaks and The Whisky Run 3 STRENUOUS Distance: 14 miles Start: 09:10 bus number 1 from Douglas to Port Erin Return: Return buses at 5/25/45 past the hour Summary: If you are looking for a challenge then this is the walk for you. From Port Erin there is a steady climb up to South Barrule. After admiring the views, hill fort and hut circles, you then join The Whisky Run as you descend to Castletown, the ancient capital of Mann. MON8 Raad Ny Foillan - Stage 1 3 STRENUOUS Distance: 20 miles Start: The War Memorial outside The Villa Marina, Douglas MONDAY Return: Return buses at 5/25/45 past the hour Summary: Would you like to tackle the Coastal Footpath year by year? If so, then this is the first stage. Walking at the required speed from Douglas to Castletown, this is a stunning introduction to the Raad Ny Foillan Challenge. Stage 2 will be next year. EVENTS: The Walks Tuesday 13 May 2014 TUE1 Peel Town Walk 1 LEISURELY Distance: Minimal Start: 09:37 bus number 5 from Douglas to House of Manannan, Peel Return: Buses at 15:22/15:56/16:27/16:55 Summary: Is Peel really the picturesque fishing village, or are there mysterious stories of industry and fishing hidden amongst its tiny lanes? Find out by joining this walk, after which you can sample the delights of Manx ice-cream and a kipper bap. TUE2 Twitchers’ Paradise 1 LEISURELY Distance: Minimal Start: 09:10 bus number 1 to Port Erin + short boat trip Return: Buses at 04/25/45 past the hour Summary: Spend a day on the remote Calf of Man accompanied by a Manx twitcher to help you identify the amazing number of bird species.