Isle of Man Guide

About this Route

Starting on the far end of Douglas Promenade near the Manx Electric Railway and ending at the Sea Port. This route takes cyclists through both countryside and the capital. Pass through villages and by ancient sites. The route covers some of the smaller glens and around the coastal road of Douglas Head. Though most of the route is on quiet lanes, there are bits through town which can be quite busy. Take note of this during the rush hour times of morning and evening, when the roads are at their busiest.

Route Plan

Ride the Route

1. Start the route at Derby Castle, which lies at the northern end of Douglas Bay.
2. Go past the Manx Electric Railway and up the hill to Onchan.
3. After passing King Edward Bay Golf Course at Howstrake you will be near Groudle Glen.
4. Follow the track of the Manx Electric Railway towards Laxey, turning left at the first available road (Bibaloe Beg Road).
5. There is a short, but steep climb up to Bibaloe Beg.
6. When you reach the main A2 road, turn left towards Onchan (Note: This is a busy main road).
7. Cross the White bridge and enter Onchan, take the 3rd turn on the right down a school road.
8. Pass the Dowty factory down a hill and into Molly Quirk's Glen, past Little Mill and up a steep hill on the other side.
9. Follow this road till you reach Hillberry and the intersection with the TT Course (Note: Very fast intersection.).
10. Turn left onto the TT Course.
11. Turn right after about 300 yards, and right again into Scollag Road.
12. Follow to Abbeylands Crossroads and down the steep slope into the River Glass Valley at Sir George's Bridge.
13. Follow A22 into Strang, pass the stores and turn right at the mini roundabout to follow the A23 to Crosby.
14. At Crosby crossroads, cross the A1 Douglas to Peel road and continue up the steep hill past the ancient St Runius Chapel.
15. After 1/4 mile, you will pass a footpath sign to St Patrick's Chair.
16. After a long climb, you will reach Garth Crossroads, turn left to Douglas.
17. A mile on cross the mini roundabout at the Braaid and make the long climb past Chibbanagh Plantation.
18. Take the next right and after 1.5 miles you will pass Mount Murry Hotel.
19. Half a mile on turn right at the T-junction onto the A5 (Note: Another busy main road.).
20. After a mile turn left into Oatlands Road.
21. Another mile further, turn left into Castletown Old Road towards Douglas.
22. Descend into Crogga dip and up the other side.
23. Turn right at the next turn and on to Port Soderick. following under the Steam Railway at Port Soderick Station.
24. Turn left shortly afterwards and half a mile on take a right onto Marine Drive.
25. Continue on the entire length of the Marine Drive.
26. Past Douglas Head follow the road down to the South Quay.
27. Use the Harbour bridge or landward end of the Harbour to get to the Sea Terminal, which ends this route.