RSSMany gentler 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.
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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. Many glens provide picnic facilities, including Glen Helen and Port Soderick. Glen Maye boasts of a spectacular waterfall. In the autumn there are many varieties of fungi in Ballaglass, Glen Helen and Cooildarry Nature Reserve. |
Ballaglass and Maughold
This walk offers two options, both of which require a walk through a delightful Manx glen and a visit to a curious stone monument, followed by a choice of a return along country roads to the Manx Electric Railway or a breathtaking coastal walk to historic Maughold before joining the electric railway once more. From Ballaglass Halt on the Manx Electric Railway walk 200 yards down the road to the entrance to Ballaglass Glen, featuring rock-bedded stream and falls and a tenth century stone circle 'Castle Chowy'. Magnificent rhododendrons are also found in early summer. Turn left at the Mill and join the Raad ny Foillan for a three mile walk to Maughold along spectacular cliffs. Maughold village lies to the east of Ramsey and was originally the site of a 7th century Christian monastery. The present parish church dates from 11th and 12th centuries. The graveyard holds the histories of local families, inscribed on its headstones.
Castletown and Silverdale
In this walk many pleasant hours may be spent exploring the glens and meadows through which flows the Silverburn River. You can start your walk from the centre of Castletown and wend your way along the Silverburn river through Great Meadow to Ballasalla and on to Silverdale Glen where there are traditional children's swings and a boating lake along with a delightful water-powered carousel and cafe. Four new walks have been made available in this area ranging from one to five miles and all of them centre at Silverdale Glen. Access to the Silverburn Trails are located close to Ballasalla. Stout shoes are recommended because even on a sunny day there can be boggy puddles.
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