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| Welcome to the Isle of
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Presented in collaboration with the Department of Tourism and
Leisure
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Walks for all Seasons
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WALKING THE ISLAND'S GLENS
Many gentler, but nonetheless agreeable walks, are to be had in any of the
Island's 17 national glens. Maintained and preserved in their natural state by
the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry, there are no admission
charges and the chances are that wherever you are in the Island, there will be
a glen nearby, from Colby Glen in the south to Ballure Walk in the north, from
Molly Quirk's glen in the east to Glen Helen in the west.
There are two
types of glens - coastal glens and the mountain glens. The coastal glens often
lead down to sandy beaches. The mountain glens are spectacular with gushing
streams and deep rocky pools. Magnificent rhododendron bushes can be seen where
the vegetation is lush.
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The
Waterfall at Glen Maye |
NORTHERN WALKS
In the north, walking will take you to
secluded beaches, open heathland and small villages, from Laxey through to
Ramsey and on to Andreas and Bride, for example. Ramsey makes an excellent
base, with an easy walk from the town out through Elfin Glen to Albert Tower,
well sign-posted and affording breathtakingly panoramic views over Ramsey
Bay.
ASCENDING SNAEFELL
Laxey is a former mining village
on the picturesque Ramsey to Douglas coast road. Noted for its Lady Isabella
water wheel, Laxey offers a number of possibilities for walking. Either a
stroll in the Laxey Glen Gardens, or perhaps an exploration of the old mine
area, for which a trail booklet is available. There is also a narrow winding
road beyond the wheel up to the hamlet of Agneash from where there are some
memorable views over all of Laxey. A path marked 'Public Footpath Snaefell
Mines' leads further uphill and offers views across the valley. Further on and
you will reach the ruins of the old Snaefell mines, after which there is a
fairly steep climb until you arrive at the Mountain road. To return from Laxey
from here turn left and take the road down to the Bungalow from where there is
an electric tram service to Laxey during the summer.
THE WILD
WEST
In the west, you could start at the village of Kirk Michael, head
towards Glen Wyllin which leads to the beach, turn left, walk along the shore
and make for Glen Mooar, which leads back to the road. Cross over here and you
can walk through the glen, down the steps to a waterfall known as Spooyt Vane.
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