​Green lanes :          A grass track usually used by farmers to which vehicles are granted access. There are 71 miles of 'Green Lanes' on the

                                Island (ref. On practical Measures to Reduce Damage to Upland Areas by Vehicles)



Greenway roads :   A grass track with a weight limit not exceeding 500kg (0.5 tonnes). There are 28 miles of Greenway Roads on the

                                Island, and were given the title 'greenway roads' in 1866 because at the time they were surveyed by the Royal

                                Ordnance Survey they were in common use as 'roads' across the Isle of Man by pack horses, horse and carts. The soft

                                grass surfaces could sustain relatively light use and survived for centuries with this infrequent use. They do not have the

                                harder wearing properties of modern tarmac roads and have suffered extensively in recent years due to use by                                                   motorbikes, quad-bikes and 4x4's.

 

Bridlepaths :           This is a track designated for horses and walkers only. There is only one bridlepath'on the Island, the Governor Loch's                                       Bridlepath, which runs from Greeba to the Sartfell road (see the 'Walking' page on this website for some pictures.)

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Footpaths :             Paths where walking only is permitted.



The Millenium Way:  The first long distance walk on the island was set up to commemorate the Millenium Year of 1979. This path is based upon the "Via Regia" or The Royal Way, and is mentioned in the ancient text:- The Chronicles of the Kings of Mann and the Isles. This footpath goes from Ramsey in the north to Castletown in the south, the ancient capital of the Island, and is 26 miles long. It is the earliest recorded 'highways' on the Island. It is an ancient ridgeway, probably built around 4,000-5,000 years ago, and is as important as any ridgeway in England such as the Fosseway or South Downs Way. It can be walked in one day, but easiest if split into two parts with a break at Crosby or St.Lukes Church, Baldwin

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Raad ny Foillan:  Raad ny Foillan translates as the 'Road of the Gull', and is a coastal path around the Island. It is 96 miles in length, and marked with blue signs showing "Raad ny Foillan" and a gull in flight. It follows the coast as much as possible with the occasional small incursions inland, from the flat beaches in the north to the precipitous cliffs in the south. It is best split into 3-4 days walking.​



Bayr ny Skeddan:  Bayr ny Skeddan translates as the 'Herring Way', and is a footpath about 14 miles in length between Castletown and Peel. It follows the Millenium Way untill just after Silverdale Glen, and then proceeds NW along farm tracks towards Peel. The path is based upon the route taken by fishermen of the past as they journeyed between two main fishing ports. The highest point is 1,000ft at The Round Table, south west of Glen Helen. It is way-marked by a blue sign showing "Bayr ny Skeddan" and a herring.



Heritage Trail:  This footpath follows the now defunct railway line built in1873 between Douglas and Peel. This was the first railway line opened on the Island, but was closed in 1967. The track was taken up in the early 70's. This footpath is 10.5 miles long and is easy walking (taking 3-4 hrs) through picturesque countryside and past abandoned halts and stations. There are picnic sites and information boards along the trail. Situated between Peel and Douglas, there are plenty of buses available to make the return journey.



Monk's Pathway and Keeils:  Keeil is the Manx word for a small chapel. There were once around 220 known chapels of this kind on the Island, situated near small communities and in the glens where local people would gather to worship. They were visited by a priest who would journey between the Keeils along the Monk's Pathway, who would hold regular services. Most are surrounded by burial mounds, and they were maintained by the family on whose farm they were situated. With conversion to Christianity, they fell out of use in the twelfth century as parish churches were established in the villages, and now only the visible remains of about 50 have survived. Some parish churches were built over the site of a former Keeil, such as the church at St.Lukes, Baldwin.