Contents
Introduction
About the Isle of Man
History and culture
Geology and vegetation
A wealth of wild flowers
Birdlife
Climate
The Three Legs of Man
Getting there
Getting about
Accommodation
Walking and access
Mapping
Using this guide
The North
Walk 1 Ayres, Point of Ayre and Bride
Walk 2 Sulby and the Millennium Way
Walk 3 Slieu Curn and Slieu Dhoo
Walk 4 Orrisdale and Glen Trunk
Walk 5 Kirk Michael and Slieau Freoaghane
Walk 6 Slieau Freoaghane and Sartfell
Walk 7 Sulby Reservoir
Walk 8 Upper Sulby Glen
Walk 9 A taste of the Millennium Way
Walk 10 Maughold Brooghs and Port Mooar
Walk 11 Cornaa and Ballaglass Glen
Walk 12 Dhoon Glen
Walk 13 Clagh Ouyr and North Barrule
Walk 14 Snaefell from the Bungalow
Walk 15 Laxey, Agneash and King Orry’s Grave
Walk 16 The Snaefell Mines
Walk 17 Groudle Glen and Baldrine
Walk 18 Crosby, Baldwin and Union Mills
Walk 19 Slieau Ruy and Greeba Mountain
The South
Walk 20 Peel Hill and Corrins Hill
Walk 21 St John’s, Patrick and the Heritage Trail
Walk 22 Glen Maye, the coast path and Patrick
Walk 23 Glen Maye, Niarbyl Bay and Dalby Mountain
Walk 24 Glen Maye to Glen Rushen
Walk 25 Glen Maye, Glen Rushen and the Postman’s Path
Walk 26 Cronk ny Arrey Laa
Walk 27 South Barrule Summit
Walk 28 South Barrule Forest Walk and Corlea Plantation
Walk 29 Lhiattee ny Beinnee and Fleshwick Bay
Walk 30 Bradda Head and Bradda Hill
Walk 31 Port Erin to Peel
Walk 32 Mull Hill, Spanish Head and The Chasms
Walk 33 Mull Hill and Cregneash
Walk 34 Port St Mary, The Sound and Port Erin
Walk 35 Colby Glen, Ballakilpheric and Bay ny Carrickey
Walk 36 Scarlett Point
Walk 37 Silverdale Glen
Walk 38 Port Grenaugh, Port Soldrick and Cass ny Hawin
Walk 39 Port Grenaugh and Santon Head
Walk 40 Derbyhaven, St Michael’s Island and Langness
Appendix A Route summary table
Appendix B Longer waymarked walks
Appendix C Useful contacts
Appendix D Further reading
Appendix E Glossary of Manx terms and place names
This guide is the best available to explore the island on foot.
This pocket-size, 171 page book, by Terry Marsh matches his other guides published by Cicerone, for their clear, well-researched and attractively presented content. Terry is a historical geographer and his understanding of the origins and history of the landscape add value to the walks that he Describes.
“For most people, the Isle of Man is an enigma: often heard, sadly, is the comment ‘I’ve always wanted to go, but never got round to it’. Few would think of the island as a walker’s paradise – yet it is, as this book will demonstrate. Fewer still know anything about the island, save that it has an annual motorcycle race of some severity, that it is something of a tax haven, [and] that Manx cats have no tails....”
The island is a ‘kingdom’ that lies at the heart of the British Isles, from which on a clear day it is possible to see the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales. At other times there are few distant horizons, the less geographical explanation for this being that the Celtic sea god Mannanan protects it in Mist.
The agricultural landscape is reminiscent of Hardy’s Dorset, with small fields, flower meadows, copses, red-berried hedgerows and mixed livestock; an impression that is enhanced by the steam railway from Douglas to Port Erin, that puffs through the landscape, and by a Victorian electric (tram) railway that connects Douglas to Ramsay. Other towns and villages are connected by an efficient bus service. Walkers do, indeed, step back in time and into a friendly welcoming culture that (being on an island) has a reassuringly low crime rate. It is the perfect size to visit for a week or two.
This guide is the best available to explore the island on foot. Whilst there are specialist histories and wildlife guides, plus the usual rather superficial tourist publications, Terry Marsh provides a solid compromise between information and specific walks that are well-chosen for variety and interest.
For contrast, visit Bradda Head and Milner’s Tower, to look down on surging sea and choughs playing in the breeze; or Rushen Abbey with its nearby Monks’ Bridge. Built in 1350 it is believed to be the best example of a medieval bridge in the British Isles. Time it right, and you can also watch the World Tin Bath Championships in Castletown!
On days when you have tired legs and need a break, there are plenty of alternatives to walking: an abundance of well-presented museums (try the Manx Museum in Douglas and the House of Manannan and castle in Peel), craft centres (eg Woollen Mills in Laxey), arts events at Port Erin, and the attractive historical Gaiety Theatre on Douglas seafront, along which horse-drawn trams operate. All you need now is to book your ferry tickets….
Paul Flint
