Network Operations
Public Rights Of Way - Footpaths
The Department of Transport maintains the Public Rights of Way (footpaths) of the Isle of Man. There are 299 paths in the Island covering a total of 303 km.
The old paths were the ancient highways and ridgeways connecting the towns and villages of the Island. They were often the routes taken by fishermen and miners as they travelled between their homes and work places, church, market or school, and paths to access public transport. These routes form the basis of the footpaths that exist today.
The Millennium Way
The Millennium Way was established in 1979 to mark one thousand years of continuous Parliament (Tynwald) in the Isle of Man. It is a long distance walk from Ramsey, in the north of the Island to Castletown in the south. The walk is based on an ancient ridgeway route which was known as "Via Regia" the Royal Way, along which the former Kings of Man travelled to Castletown, the former capital of the Island.
Approximately 26 miles, it can be walked from Sky Hill in the north to Castle Rushen in the south in one day or split into two convenient sections ending or starting at Crosby. The Millennium Way passes through some of the most scenic routes of the Isle of Man and has proved to be a great success, the northern section attracting hill walking enthusiasts from all over Britain and Europe.
Bayr Ny Skeddan
The Herring Way is a walk of about 14 miles between Castletown and Peel. The walk is based on the route taken by Manx fishermen in times past as they journeyed between the two fishing centres. It uses old public roads and public footpaths and rises to 1000ft at the Round Table. It is waymarked with a blue sign showing a herring.
Raad ny Foillan
The Road of the Gull is the coastal footpath. It is waymarked with a blue sign showing a gull in flight and is about 90 miles in length. The route follows the coast as far as practical from the flat shingle beaches of the north to the precipitous cliffs of the south.
The Heritage Trail
The Heritage Trail uses the route of the now defunct Isle of Man Railway Company's line between Douglas and Peel (10 miles) with branches from St. John's northwards to Sulby (15 miles) and southwards to Foxdale (1 miles). Picnic and information sites are situated along the walk. It offers easy walking amongst picturesque countryside for a total distance of about 27 miles.
All the public footpaths and routes are marked on the Isle of Man Public Rights of Way and Outdoor Leisure Map, ISBN No.0-90486-954-7 produced on two maps at a scale of 1:25000 (2 in. to 1 mile), available from bookshops.
| DisabledGo Information |  | Terms & Conditions | ©2008 Isle of Man Government |