Isle of Man Walking Guide 7 complete self-guided walks www.visitisleofman.com/walking Go at your own pace Outdoor Leisure Map It is recommended these walks are used in conjunction with the Isle of Within its modest shores, encircled by the wild Irish Sea, this Celtic gem 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 purchased from a number of outlets long distance footpaths with challenges for the seasoned walker. St Judes on the Isle of Man including the Welcome Centre at a cost of £7.00. Sulby RAMSEY Ballaugh Planning your own walks couldn’t be simpler - start by taking inspiration from this guide. 2 Maughold Kirk Michael Snaefell Plentiful travel links with the UK and Ireland make the Isle of Man convenient for a short 4 Glen Mona break or more. Once you’re here, you’ll also find it easy to get around, whether or not you have your own transport: bus links serve the whole Island and connect to the majority of 7 walking routes. In addition, our renowned heritage rail network allows you to combine a 3 day’s walking with unique vintage travel. Walking also offers an ideal way to explore the LAXEY PEEL 5 Island’s fascinating heritage and abundance of wildlife. Baldrine Patrick St Johns Greeba Glen Maye Crosby Glen Vine The Isle of Man is a place I’d always wanted to visit – and when I did I fell in Dalby Foxdale Union Mills love with it! With its sandy beaches, scenic harbours, spectacular rocky cliffs, DOUGLAS Braaid luscious green fields and a smattering of hills, it’s a walkers’ paradise. St Marks 6 Santon - Andrew White, Walks Around Britain Ballasalla Colby PORT ERIN 1 Cregneash PORT ST MARY CASTLETOWN Sound in this guide of walks found Locations Calf of Man WALK GRADINGS 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 1 boots and suitable clothing 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. 2 Walking boots and suitable 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 Maughold Brooghs 3 and suitable clothing are essential. Peel Hill and Peel Castle The Chasms 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 A glen and riverside walk taking you through some beautiful Manx Silverdale Glen Car Park countryside. Allow yourself sufficient time to explore the historical Rushen Abbey and Castletown, the ancient capital of Mann. Grading: Leisurely Distance: 2.6 miles (+ different return options) 1 LEISURELY Start: Silverdale Glen Car Park Map Ref: 275 712 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 Car Park Grading: Moderate (very steep in places) Distance: 4.5 miles 2 MODERATE Start: Port Lewaigue Car Park Map Ref: 470 930 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. Facilities (subject to opening hours) Route • Public Toilets are located outside the grounds of St Maughold’s Church. 1. From Port Lewaigue head south, following the Raad Ny Foillan (coastal footpath) signs Points of Interest (subject to opening hours and admission charges) around the Gob ny Rona headland and onto the beach at Port e Vullen. • The Island’s largest display of Celtic and Manx crosses are found at St Maughold’s Church. 2. Please note that access to the foreshore is restricted at high tide. Walking on the road will • St Maughold’s Well (via a steep path). take you to the same point at Port e Vullen. Nature - Watch 3. Leave the shore via the slipway at Port e Vullen, turn left onto the quiet road. 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. Take a short diversion to St Maughold’s Church in the village to view the large collection of wonderful ancient crosses. Route Map 3 Laxey, Agneash and King Orry’s Grave Magnificent views of Snaefell and surrounding hills, the historic Great Laxey Wheel, the mythical King Orry’s Grave and the charming village of Laxey all combined in one beautiful walk. Grading: Moderate (very steep in places) Distance: 4 miles 2 MODERATE Start: Laxey Station Map Ref: 433 845 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.