Walks on the Isle of Man - 40 walking routes

• Location
• Description
• Contents
• Introduction
• Sample Route
• Maps
• Reviews
• Further Reading

View Sample Route Map

Walk 18 - Glen Maye, the coast path and Patrick

---

Distance: 11km (6¾ miles)
Map: Isle of Man Outdoor Leisure Map: South
Start/Finish: Glen Maye (grid ref 236798)
Parking: Opposite Waterfall Hotel
Refreshments: Waterfall Hotel

---

This delightful walk begins by heading north along the coastal path before diving inland to visit to the small village of Kirk Patrick and its Church of the Holy Trinity. An ancient track then leads across upland pastures before returning along a quiet lane to Glen Maye.

From the Glen Maye car park go down steps into the top end of the glen and soon cross a bridge above the waterfall. Take the steps descending to the base of the waterfall and then continue on a riverside path. Lower down the glen, at a path junction, remain with the riverside path to reach the waterwheel. Here, leave the glen by turning up to a gate and then cross a road and go up the signposted path opposite (for Peel), which here is both the Raad ny Foillan and the Bayr ny Skeddan. The path climbs briefly and, not far above the bay, branches. Bear right, as the path then adopts a superb line across the top of cliffs and headlands, constantly undulating and changing direction in a way that makes the walk invigorating and encouraging. A pair of binoculars would be useful on this walk, as the cliffs are popular with a whole range of birds from the fairly commonplace herring gull, to kittiwake, fulmar, chough, stonechat and partridge, though the latter prefer the adjacent fields.

Simply keep going along the coastal path – you don’t have a choice – until you meet a metal kissing-gate at the northern end of Corrins Hill, the prominent folly-topped hill that has been in view since near the start of the walk and which stands guardian over the town of Peel. Through the gate, bear right on a grassy track that soon merges with another and bears round to run alongside a wall, heading towards the folly. When the path and wall change direction, do likewise, descending to a ladder-stile giving onto a rough, descending path leading down to a small row of houses.

At the houses, take the track going left and follow this through numerous twists and turns (all obvious) until, finally, it slips down to meet the Peel–Glen Maye road. Turn right and walk along the road as far as Kirk Patrick, and there take the side road signposted for St John’s. The parish church is soon reached on the left, and has some interesting stained glass windows depicting scenes from the bible as well as Manx saints.

Continue past the church for about 300m and then leave the road by turning right onto a greenway road, setting off initially as a surfaced lane. When the surfacing ends, a rough track continues, climbing steadily throughout its length, flanked by drystone walls and gorse bushes, and offering a fine retrospective view of Peel and Corrins Hill.

Eventually the track emerges onto a surfaced lane. Here turn right and follow the lane, a generally quiet and peaceful prospect, all the way back to Glen Maye. On entering the village, near the post office, bear left down Hillside Terrace to return to the start.