Best of the Isle of Man Guided Trail

Our day starts with a journey on the Manx Electric Railway, travelling from Douglas to Ballaglass Glen just under an hour away. Our first stop is the Ballafayle Cairn and a Quaker burial ground. This section, and down to Port Mooar, is on a narrow minor road with flower displays for most of the year. We then head to Maughold Head and its associated church, where it's well worth stopping to look at the historic Celtic crosses. The headland and onward path to Ramsey provides coastal scenery, promising views over to the Lake District and Scotland on a clear day. We'll have time to explore at Ramsey before taking the tram back to Douglas.

8 miles (12.5km) with 900 feet (275m) of ascent

This section of the coast path skirts around coves and follows beaches, to end at Castletown, the old capital of the Isle of Man, with winding narrow streets, medieval castle and harbour. Taking in Santon Head, Port Soldrick and passing the airport, we head to Derby Haven, once the island's chief fishing port, before we explore the peninsula of Langness and St Michael’s island; a small grassy appendage with Derby Fort and ruins of St Michael’s chapel. 

10½ miles (16.5km) with 800 feet (240m) of ascent

We leave Port St Mary with its pretty harbour and climb through patchwork pastureland with great views ahead and behind. We pass The Anvil and Sugar Loaf and The Chasms with breathtaking scenery unfolding as we head towards the Calf of Man and Spanish Head, the most southerly point on the Raad ny Foillan. Dropping down into Calf Sound, where if we're lucky we might see some seals, we continue on the undulating coastal path with views of Braddha Head and Port Erin. Port Erin had its heyday in Victorian times and has a picturesque bay and refreshments and shops. 

8 miles (13km) with 1,300 feet (390m) of ascent

Departing from Fleshwick Bay, we will have a couple of significant climbs today, but the dramatic clifftop coastal scenery is worth every step. We’ll also visit Cronk ny Arrey Laa with its prehistoric burial mound and Millennium Cross – the highest point on the Raad ny Foillan at 1,434 feet above sea level. Our destination is Niarbyl Bay where we’ll be rewarded with scenes of charming thatched cottages clinging to the hillsides, fantastic views over the Irish Sea, and abundance of wildlife.

7½ miles (11.5 km) with 2,500 feet (750m) of ascent and descent

We start our walk with a visit to St John's Church and Tynwald Hill, where we find out about their significance in the governance of the island. The walk takes a pleasant rising traverse around the southern flank of Slieau Whallian, through pleasant pastureland down to the pretty village of Glen Maye. The descent through Glen Maye is like walking through the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Its beautiful sheltered, fern-filled woodland include some relics of the ancient forests that once covered the island. The walk along the cliffs is followed by a spectacular descent into Peel, where we end our week. Here we should have time to explore the castle and parts of the town, as well as taking the opportunity to buy some of the famous Manx kippers as an edible souvenir of your holiday. 

9 miles (14.5km) with 1170 feet (356m) of ascent and descent