Ballure Reservoir
Starting at Mountain Road Car Park
The Reservoir Walk
Enter through the metal gate and picnic area, descending via the zigzag path, through the wicket gate, turn right, and first turn on left through gate to reservoir. You may walk around the perimeter of the reservoir following the footpath signs. A flight of steps at the far end connects with the newly established upper path.
The Rhowin Road Walk
From the topside of the car park, the newly defined path below the mountain road leads to the Gooseneck via a series of wicket gates and steps. At the Gooseneck go straight ahead across the corner used by TT Marshals and spectators to join the Rhowin Road. Views from here of Albert Tower, Queens Pier, the Northern Plain to the Point of Ayre and beyond are remarkable. Turn left along the Rhowin Road, over the cattle grid to the gates into the plantation on your left. You will pass sensitive verges, which are specially managed for their wildlife interest. To the right is North Barrulle (1860 feet).
Continue on option a or b...
a. via the Forrest Track
Enter the plantation over the stile, turn right and follow track through trees around top of plantation. As the track descends a unique and clear view of Albert Tower is revealed. You may notice an old track into the plantation on your left, which leads to the ruins of an old farm (Largey Vooar). The forest track joins the footpath from the Old Douglas Road (right) to the reservoir (left). Turn left through gate and past the reservoir wall. The footpath ahead leads back to the car park. Turn right after the gate, left through the wicket gate, and up to the zigzag track.
b. via the Old Douglas Road
Continue along the Rhowin Road until you reach the right hand bend where the Old Douglas Road joins the Rhowin Road. The old road is indicated by the motorbike/horse sign on your left. The site of Betsy Crowe's house may be seen in the field to the right of the path. Wet in places, and narrower than in the past, the old road descends along the tree line. You may enter the plantation on your left at the marker post and return to the car park via the reservoir, or you may choose to continue on down the old road through the glen, stoney and steep, to where it joins the main Douglas to Ramsey road at Ballure Bridge. From the bridge you may return to the car park via the reservoir road (marked Public Footpath to Gooseneck) or follow the path on the north side of the Glen. To find this path look for path (marked Public Footpath to Mountain Road) just above where the tramlines cross the road. When the wall ends, a sharp left hand turn through the trees reveals the path which leads you back up, through a blue gate, turn right through wicket gate, and follow zigzag track to the car park.
Alight at Ballure Bridge.
When you get off the tram, the Ballure Walk is on the 'sea side' of the railway tracks. A short path leads to the main Douglas to Ramsey road from where you have a choice of three routes.
Cross over to the Reservoir road (marked Public footpath to Gooseneck), which leads to the reservoir past the old reservoir and water treatment works. Climb up the steep path on the right opposite the water treatment works and you may walk around the perimeter of the reservoir following the footpath signs.
Continue on Route a or Route b...
Route a
Turn left and cross the road with care to the track on the opposite side through the trees. This is the Old Douglas Road, which is indicated by the motorbike/horse sign. The stoney road ascends steeply through the Glen. At the marker post you may enter the plantation on your right to the reservoir. You may walk around the perimeter of the reservoir and return to Ballure Bridge on the path on the north side of the Glen (through the gate on opposite side of reservoir and turn right). If you continue up the Old Douglas Road (a) (indicated to Hibernian) you will join the Rhowin Road. Turn right along Rhowin Road towards the Gooseneck. You may enter the plantation on your right and follow the forest track on the right, down to the reservoir and from there, back to Ballure Bridge via the Reservoir road (b) or path on north side of the Glen (c). If you continue along Rhowin Road (d) to Gooseneck, turn right through the corner and follow the path beside the wall and through series of wicket gates and steps. From the road follow the footpath signs into the Glen, past Ballure Farm and down to Ballure Bridge.
Route b
Turn right and keep on the pavement beside the wall. Cross the road with care just before where the tramlines cross the road. Follow the path market "public footpath to Mountain Road". This path leads to Lhergy Frissell, Albert Tower and the Hairpin. When the wall ends, a sharp left hand turn through the trees reveals the path along the north side of the Glen. You may complete the walk around the perimeter of the reservoir by taking a left turn down to the reservoir after the blue gate, or you may continue up past Ballure Farm to the Gooseneck - stunning views of Albert Tower, Queens Pier, the Northern Plain to the Point of Ayre and beyond. Turn left along Rhowin Road and look for Old Douglas Road (indicated by motorbike/horse sign) on your left to return to Ballure Bridge, having completed a complete circuit of this area.
Parking at Rhowin Road
Route 1
Enter the plantation over the stile, turn right and follow track through trees around the top of the plantation. As the track descends a unique and clear view of Albert Tower is revealed. You may notice an old track into the plantation on your left which leads to the ruins of an old farm (Largey Vooar). The forest track joins the footpath from the Old Douglas Road (right) to the reservoir (left). Turn left through gate and past the reservoir wall. You may complete the walk around the perimeter of the reservoir and then return to Rhowin Road on the path on the north side of the glen past Ballure Farm.
Turn left after the gate, past the farm and up to the mountain road, to Rhowin Road through the series of wicket gates and steps and through Gooseneck corner.
Route 2
Walk along Rhowin Road towards the Hibernian until you reach the right hand bend where the Old Douglas Road joins the Rhowin Road. The old road is indicated by the motorbike/horsesign on your left. The site of Betsy Crowe's home may be seen in the field to the right of the path. You may enter the plantation on your left at the marker post and return to Rhowin road by following the forest track (a) which goes through the clearing to your left, or you may continue down to the reservoir (b), walk the perimeter of the reservoir, and return to Rhowin road on the path on the north side of the glen past Ballure farm and to mountain road.
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