Route 2 Castletown
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.
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.
