Cycling on the Isle of Man
Most cycling trails start and end on the railways routes. Pedal cycles can be taken on board the Steam Train and the Manx electric Railway Tram (not on the buses) for a small charge subject to space being available. You can call the railway company to check on 663366.
Cycling trails
Ramsey trail
Degree of difficulty:Easy.
Ramsey is a pleasant town with a busy shopping centre and an active harbour. The route takes in the quiet, flat country roads of Ayre. This Northern Plain provides a refreshing contrast to the rest of the Island, offering rural tranquillity set against a backdrop of the Manx hills. Except for Ramsey town, the roads are generally quiet.
Total distance: 16 miles, 26 kilometres.Major climbs/descents: None
Sites of interest: Ramsey Railway Visitor Centre, Ramsey Pier (closed), The Grove Rural Life Museum, Point of Ayre, The Ayres Visitor Centre, Knock-e-Doonee Boat Burial, Andreas Crosses, Ballachurry Civil War Fort.Route description:
Emerging from Ramsey MER Station, cross over Albert Street and turn into Peel Street. Take the first right opposite the Police Station, into Market Hill. This short road leads directly into Market Place. Turn left and left again onto West Quay. Follow the quayside and shortly turn right over the swing bridge. Bear right and then left along Mooragh Promenade. After a mile the road swings inland and gradually climbs up the cliff. Turn right at the T-junction beside the Grand Island Hotel. Follow the A10 to Bride, about 4 miles. Go straight on through the small village of Bride. At the mini-roundabout you have the option to ride to the Point of Ayre, the most northerly point on Mann, (Route 5A). The road from Bride to the Point of Ayre carries heavy wagons to the tip site and gravel pits.Whether you take the Point of Ayre option or not you continue on the A10 to The Lhen. The road heads in a westerly direction. Follow this for 4 miles and turn left into the Leodest Road to Andreas (2 miles). Turn left at the T-junction and right at Y-junction in the centre of the village. Turn right at the T-junction past the church. Turn right after 1/4 mile into Bayr ny Harrey – Manx for Road to the Ayres and follow this quiet country lane for 2 miles. Turn left at the crossroads and after 1/2 mile turn left at the T-junction. Remain on this road for 1 mile until you reach the village of St Judes. Turn left at the crossroads in St Judes and passing St Judes Church follow this pleasant road for 5 miles back into Ramsey. Turn right at the T-junction into Bowring Road and cross the bridge into the centre of Ramsey. Carry straight on at the two mini-roundabouts and then take the left turn signposted A2 Laxey and Douglas back to the MER Station.
Back to other cycle routesCastletown trail
Degree of difficulty:Easy.
The Castletown circuit covers some of the gentler slopes of the south of the Island; a relaxing tour to St Mark's is easily accomplished by all age groups and levels of fitness. There are optional rides to St Michael's Isle (Route 2A) and to Langness (Route 2B), both of which run close to the shore, and give panoramic sea views. A further option is to Silverdale (Route 2C), with its famous water-powered carousel and paddle boats.
Total distance: 13 miles, 20 kilometres.
Route to St Michael's Isle and Langness: 6 miles, 10 kilometres;
Route to Silverdale: 1.5 miles, 2 kilometres.
Major climbs/descents: None.
Sites of interest:
Castle Rushen, the Nautical Museum, the Old Grammar School at Castletown, Hango Hill, Derbyhaven, St Michael’s Fort, St Michael’s Chapel, Steam Railway, St Mark’s Church, Rushen Abbey, the 14th Century Monk’s Bridge at Ballasalla, Shebeg Pottery, the water-powered carousel in Silverdale, Silverdale Glen.Route Description:
Start at Castletown Steam Railway Station, turning right where the station approach reaches the A5. Turn left at the mini-roundabout and proceed along the side of Castletown Harbour. Continue along the same side of the harbour and, passing the Peggy Nautical Museum, continue along Douglas Street.Where College Green forks off to the right, you have the opportunity to ride along a spectacular but level expanse of coastline to Langness (signs marked 2A), the Southeast corner of the Island and over the causeway to St Michael's Isle (follow 2A until you see signs marked 2B), where you can see the fort guarding Derbyhaven and St Michael's Chapel. Over part of this route the road passes beside the golf links – take care! Returning along the same route towards Castletown turn right into Shore Road and right along the main A5 Douglas Road past the Airport. Continue along this road over the level crossing until arriving at Ballasalla, where you will meet a mini-roundabout.
Leave the A5 by going straight on taking the A26 through the village centre. At the second mini-roundabout bear to the right so as to remain on the A26 towards St Mark's. Upon reaching St Mark's take the left-hand fork at the church to join the B30 and then turn almost immediately left. In about a mile you will pass the pets'cemetery.Turn left down the B29 and continue until reaching the A34 back towards Ballasalla. Both these roads are quiet country lanes between the characteristic Manx sod hedges. Beware that the limited forward visibility means that traffic can sneak up on you from in front and behind. The terrain is almost entirely downhill. Once back in the outskirts of Ballasalla you have the option (signs marked 2C) to turn right along a leafy lane for just under a mile to reach Silverdale. Return on the same narrow lane and at the junction turn right and right again shortly afterwards You are back on the outward route. Just before the mini-roundabout turn right and shortly approach the ford across Silverburn. Cross it over the bridge. You are now passing Rushen Abbey.
Continuing along the road following the Abbey wall, after 1/4 mile turn right at the T-junction. This is a busy road – take care. Turn left at Cross Four Roads onto Malew Road. Pass Malew Church on the Z-bend where the Manx martyr Illiam Dhone is buried. Continue back into Castletown. Cross over the main road into the old town again and, dismounting, walk along Malew Street into Market Square where you will see Castle Rushen with its famous one-handed clock. To get back to Castletown Station leave again by Castle Street and The Quay, cross over the bridge over the Harbour, travel along the opposite bank of the Inner Harbour. At the mini-roundabout turn right for Douglas. In 1/4 mile turn left and into the station. Back to other cycle routesPeel trail
Degree of difficulty: Medium/Easy.
Peel and its surrounding area has to be the forefront for everyone's cycling plans of the Island. As well as taking in the coastal port of Peel and its impressive Castle this route goes through the picturesque villages of St John's and Glen Maye. The climb up to Snuff the Wind offers spectacular views of the Island and beyond.
Total distance: 10 miles, 16 kilometres.
Major climbs/descents: St John's to Snuff the Wind lead mine, Garey to Glen Maye.
Sites of interest: Peel Castle, St German's Cathedral, Leece Museum, House of Manannan, The Arboretum, St John's Gardens, Tynwald
Route description
Starting at The House of Manannan continue along the Quay and along the Promenade, until the Creg Malin Hotel, where you turn right up up Walpole Road. Turn right at the T-junction at the top of the hill, then turn left shortly, into Church Street signposted Douglas and South. At the far end of Church Street turn left into Derby Road and follow this route out of Peel. .
Passing Poortown Quarry on your left, go round the double bend and shortly after turn right into a narrow lane going steeply downhill to a stone bridge over the River Neb. .
A short deviation to the right immediately after the bridge takes you to the Tynwald Mills Craft Centre with workshops, shops and two Cafes. .
Returning to the route, carry onto the narrow road through trees and after 1/2 mile you will see Tynwald Hill close by on your left. .
At the crossroads go straight across the Peel Douglas road. Continue through the village of St Johns for 1/4 mile, past the Central Hotel and take the sharp right turn into Patrick Road. Immediately cross stone bridge, where the route turns left up the hill. If you wish to take an alternative easy route (signposted route 4B), go straight on at this point, rejoining the route at Patrick. .
The route continues up the hill, very steep in some sections, for 2 miles. On reaching the junction on the brow of the hill near the old leadmine, known as Snuff the Wind, turn right. One and a half miles later you begin the 2 mile descent into Glen Maye, but take care – the road is narrow and winding. You emerge into Glen Maye by the Post Office. .
The route turns right here onto the A27 road to Peel. However, a short detour to your left takes you to the Glen Maye Waterfall, Glen and Beach. .
Returning to the route at the Post Office, continue along A27 and after 2 miles reach Kirk Patrick. Here the shortcut (route 4B) rejoins from the right. Continue on A27 over the River Neb and climb to the Peel City boundary. A further 1/2 mile will take you to the top of Station Hill. Turn left and shortly right and you are back at the House of Manannan.
Back to other cycle routesPort Erin trail
Degree of difficulty: Medium.
A route that provides an excellent opportunity to observe wild seals at the southernmost point on the Isle of Man and the splendour of the Manx coast at Bradda Head.
Total distance: 14 miles, 23 kilometres
Major climbs/descents: Port Erin to Cregneash, Bradda East.
Sites of interest: Port Erin Railway Museum, Meayl Circle, Cregneash Folk Museum, Viking Ship burial ground at Balladoole, Milner's Tower.
Route description:
Beginning at the Port Erin Steam Railway Station, turn left along Station Road (one-way street), towards the bay. The road turns right and becomes the Promenade. Continue along this road passing the turn to Bradda Glen Café after which the road climbs round to the right. Continuing along what is now Bradda Road, after 2 miles you will reach Ballafesson. You can take a left turn signposted Surby and Fleshwick, to visit Fleshwick, a rugged cove hemmed in by towering cliffs. The route, which is 1.5 miles each way, is marked as route 3A.
Continuing from Ballafesson after a further 1/4 mile, turn left onto the A7 Port Erin to Douglas Road. Continue straight on at the mini-roundabout at Ballakillowey and ride through the pleasant villages of Colby and Ballabeg. Remain on A7 until A7 Douglas is shown as a left turn. At this point carry straight on, A28 (Castletown). Passing close by Ballabeg Railway Station (a modest structure) ride to the southern end of the Ballakaighen straight. Turn right onto A5. This is a fast main road.
After 1/4 mile turn left through stone gate pillars signposted Poyll Vaaish. You will pass the gate leading to Balladoole Burial Site. When you reach the coast at a T-junction turn right following the rocky coastline until you regain the main A5 road at the bottom of Fisher's Hill.
Turn left still following the coast along Bay ny Carrickey. This is a busy main road with fast traffic. Following the coast until at Gansey Pottery the road swings right and inland. After 1/2 mile you will reach a crossroads. If you want to visit the pretty village and harbour of Port St Mary turn left here following route 3B. Otherwise, route 3 carries straight on. Route 3B runs along Bay View Road until you are forced to turn right. After 1/4 mile, turn left and shortly left again and you will reach the harbour.
To return, ride along Athol Street (one-way street), eventually reaching the crossroads. To continue route 3, turn left into Plantation Road. The road climbs steeply for 1.5 miles eventually reaching the village of Cregneash.
Through the village, decide if you want to visit the Calf Sound, a stretch of tempestuous water separating the Calf of Man from the Isle of Man. Beware, if you take this route 3C you have a severe uphill ride back to Cregneash.
The route continues past the Meayll Stone Circle on the hilltop back to Port Erin. When, after a ride of 1.5 miles, you reach Port Erin Promenade, called Shore Road at this point, you turn right. Caution – this is a blind turn. Ride uphill until you reach Station Road, opposite the Isle of Man Bank. As Station Road is one-way you will have to dismount for the short walk back to the Railway Station.
Back to other cycle routesDouglas trail
Degree of difficulty: Hard.
The quiet countryside around the Island's busy capital provides excellent cycling. An ideal way to explore the small glens, notably Groudle Glen and Molly Quirk's Glen. The coastal road of Marine Drive provides a stunning end to the day.
Although the majority of the route is on quiet lanes, there are stretches of the route on busy main roads in and around Douglas. Traffic in town is busy all day, but especially at morning and evening peaks. The roads around the Sea Terminal and the entire length of the Promenade are difficult for cyclists. On the Promenade, cyclists should beware of tram lines. For these reasons, unlike all the other routes, the in-town sections have been omitted and cyclists are directed to the start of the route at the north end of the Promenade at Derby Castle.
Elsewhere, some of the country lanes are deceptively busy and due to bends and high hedges, approaching traffic appears with little warning.
Total distance: 27 miles, 43 kilometres.
Major climbs/descents: Eskdale Road or Bibaloe Beg, River Glass valley at Sir George’s Bridge, Ellerslie Hill at Crosby, Braaid, Crogga.
Sites of interest: Manx Museum, Horse Trams, Manx Electric Railway, Groudle Glen and Groudle Glen Railway, Molly Quirk’s Glen, St Patrick’s Chair (ancient monument), Port Soderick, Marine Drive.
Route description:
Arrive at Derby Castle at the northern end of Douglas Bay to the start of the route. Continue past the Manx Electric Railway Terminus and begin the climb to Onchan. After passing King Edward Bay Golf Course at Howstrake you will reach the lovely Groudle Glen with its miniature steam railway (seasonal). The pub is now closed. Continue alongside the MER track towards Laxey, turning left at the first available road (Bibaloe Beg Road). The road consists of a short, but very steep climb up to Bibaloe Beg.
On reaching the main A2 road turn left towards Onchan. The A2 is a busy, fast road and the left turn has poor visibility for approaching traffic. After crossing the Whitebridge and entering Onchan, take the 3rd turn on the right (Onchan Village shops and pubs is 300 yards straight on). This is School Road. Pass the Dowty factory, and shortly after a hairpin turn takes you down into the Glen past Little Mill and then steeply up the opposite side. Follow this road through until reaching Hillberry and the intersection with the TT Course. Caution: It is very fast.
Turn left onto the TT Course, then right after approximately 300 yards. Immediately turn right again into Scollag Road. Follow this road to Abbeylands Crossroads, then continue down the steep slope into the River Glass valley at Sir George's Bridge. Follow the A22 into Strang, passing Strang Stores. At the mini-roundabout, turn right and follow the A23 to Crosby. On reaching Crosby crossroads, cross the main A1 Douglas to Peel road.
Continue up the steep hill and shortly pass the ancient St Runius Chapel. After 1/4 mile, pass a footpath sign to St Patrick's Chair, a legendary stone monument about 400 yards off the road. After a long climb, eventually reach Garth Crossroads, and turn left towards Douglas. A mile further on, cross the mini-roundabout at the Braaid. There is a long climb past Chibbanagh Plantation. Take the next right turn and after 1.5 miles, pass the Mount Murray Hotel
Half a mile further on turn right at the T-junction onto the A5. This is another busy main road linking Douglas to the Airport. After 1 mile turn left into Oatlands Road and 1 mile further, turn left onto Castletown Old Road towards Douglas. You will descend into Crogga dip and climb out on the other side. Take the next right turn to Port Soderick, shortly passing under the steam railway at Port Soderick Station. Turn left shortly afterwards.
Half a mile further on, take the next right onto Marine Drive. Continue along the entire length of the Marine Drive and once past Douglas Head, follow the road down the hill towards South Quay. This is the end of the route, as you are now encountering busy town traffic. You have the choice of turning left and going round the landward end of the Harbour, or using the new Harbour Bridge, to return to the Sea Terminal
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