Route 3 Port Erin
Route 3 description
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.
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.
