While the Isle of Man might not necessarily be the first place you associate with cycling, it’s fair to say the north-westerly British island is somewhat of a cyclist’s hidden gem.
Surrounded by the Irish Sea and set against the gorgeous backdrop of the Manx Hills, the island is known for staging the world-famous annual TT Races – so there’s certainly no shortage of picturesque cycle routes.
It’s also the birthplace of two of the greatest modern-day cyclists, Mark Cavendish and Peter Kennaugh – and their careers hardly come as a surprise when you see where they grew up.
If you’re looking for somewhere new to explore on wheels, you’re in the right place.
Here are our picks for the 10 best cycling routes on the Isle of Man.
1. Heritage Trail
Map: view
Distance: 16km (full length)
Popular with cyclists of all abilities, from holidaying families to avid mountain bikers, the Heritage Trail certainly lives up to its name.
The route follows the old steam railway line from Douglas, Isle of Man’s capital, to Peel – so there’s plenty of history and local Manx heritage associated with it.
As you might expect, the entire railway line is rather long (16km to be exact), but the good thing about the Heritage Trail is that there are tourist spots at either end and along the way. So, you can choose to ride the whole route as a return trip, in one direction only, or pick a smaller section at a leisurely pace – it’s completely up to you.
Just past the halfway point on the trail, you’ll pass through the small, sleepy village of St John’s – an area right at the heart of the island’s national identity. Home of Tynwald Hill, St John’s has been the focal point of Manx National Day, Tynwald Day (July 5) since the Viking era.
The Heritage Trail finishes in Peel Bay – the perfect spot for a well-deserved, post-ride ice cream.
2. Peel Roundabout
Map: view
Distance: 18km
This route starts just a stone’s throw from where the last one finishes.
Situated on the Isle of Man’s west coast, the seaside town of Peel is the third-largest on the island and home to some beautiful scenery.
From Peel, riders head south-east towards St John’s and circle the edges of Slieau Whallian – a nearby hill popular with walkers, runners and mountain bikers alike.
If you’re in the mood for exploring, Slieau Whallian rises to a steep height of around 990ft and shows off glorious views across St Johns, Tynwald Hill, Parliament Field and St John’s Church from the ascent.
Heading southwest from St John’s, you’ll eventually reach Glen Maye, another small village and glen just two-and-a-half miles south of Peel, where a beautiful bridged gorge and waterfall offer a spot of respite from the ride.
From here, riders can cycle north towards Patrick before finishing the loop back in Peel.
3. Ramsey Circuit
Map: view
Distance: 32km
Looking for a relaxing ride on level roads in a more rural, quiet setting? Look no further than the Ramsey Circuit.
This route is set against the backdrop of the gorgeous Manx hills, where the gentle landscapes offer the perfect contrast from the hustle and bustle of nearby towns.
Points of interest along the Ramsey Circuit include the Milntown Estate and Gardens, the Grove Rural Life Museum, and the Ayres Nature Reserve (should you choose this part of the route).
From the starting point at Ramsey Manx Electric Railway Station, head towards Market Place and onto West Quay before taking a left across the Mooragh Promenade. After one mile, turn right and then continue for another four miles through Dog Mills and towards the quaint village of Bride.
Here, you can choose to either continue north towards the Point of Ayre or west towards Smeale before heading south for Andreas and St Jude’s to complete the circuit back in Ramsey.
Although you’ll find much of this route a quiet and relaxing meander, you’re likely to encounter busy traffic on your way in and out of Ramsey itself, so pay close attention when here.
4. Marine Drive
Map: view
Distance: 22km
Despite not being far from Douglas (roughly a fifteen-minute car journey), Marine Drive’s somewhat secluded location means it’s home to various species of wildlife – birds in particular.
Aesthetically, the geology of Marine Drive is a sight to behold, too. Layer upon layer of limestone, slate and granite stand at 90˚ angles to the road you’re cycling on, giving your ride surroundings an ultra-natural feel.
Marine Drive itself links Port Soderick with Douglas via the popular picnic spot of Douglas Head. The Isle of Man has a total of six viewing points situated across its coastline, providing tourists with a chance to learn more about the island’s marine life. Marine Drive is home to one of them, so binoculars are a must.
If that wasn’t enough – Marine Drive is also a prime spot for stargazing.
Little Ness Car Park, situated along the cycle route, is a registered Dark Sky Discovery Site, and on a clear night on the island, you can even see the world-famous Northern Lights caressing the Manx sky.
5. Douglas Head Loop
Map: view
Distance: 43km
The Douglas Head Loop is one of the most challenging but rewarding cycle routes on the Isle of Man. Its mixture of A roads and major climbs make this route suitable mainly for proficient cyclists.
As the name suggests, it begins in the capital before leading you out into the tranquil Manx countryside and back again.
The Loop is the perfect way to explore the island’s magnificent glens, including Groudle Glen and Molly’s Quirk Glen, the latter of which is famous, despite its pleasant name and scenery, for supposedly being named after a woman who was once murdered in the glen!
You need to be well prepared if you’re taking on the Douglas Head Loop, as you’ll encounter some pretty major climbs along the route. These include Bibaloe Beg, Ellerslie Hill, and the Braaid.
The end of the route also encompasses Marine Drive, which you’ll already be familiar with.
6. Port Erin
Map: view
Distance: 33km (max.)
Cycling and scenery go hand in hand, and there’s certainly no shortage of the latter in Isle of Man’s southwest.
Starting and finishing at Port Erin Railway Station, this route guides you through several miles of gorgeous coastline with an optional ride to The Sound – another Dark Sky Discovery Site on the island’s most southerly tip and one of the most scenic locations in the whole of the UK.
A hotspot for seals, dolphins and even basking sharks, The Sound is worth a visit for sure. It also provides stunning views over to the Calf of Man – a small, intriguing, 618-acre island located half of a mile off the Isle’s southern tip.
Port Erin consists predominantly of A roads, so it’s well suited to fairly adequate cyclists. You’ll also encounter major climbs between the port and Cregneash, in Bradda East, and from The Sound to Cregneash, too.
7. Tynwald Hill Loop
Map: view
Distance: 47km
Starting in Peel, this route loosely follows the River Neb towards Tynwald Hill – one of the Isle of Man’s most distinctive landmarks, as we mentioned earlier.
Though the four-tiered hill itself (pictured above) only measures 12ft high, it’s regarded as a symbol of the island’s independence as a self-governing crown dependency.
The hill is thought to be made from piles of stones that are bonded together with soil from each of the 17 ancient parishes of the island.
From the hill, riders can head south towards Foxdale and Ballasalla, where the route turns back northeast towards Douglas.
All roads from Douglas then lead back towards Peel to complete the loop. En route, you’ll pass an impressive quintet of mountains; Lhargee Ruy, Sileau Ruy, Beary Mountain, Beary Pairk, and Greeba Mountain, before entering the final stretch into Peel.
8. Brandywell Climb
Map: view
Distance: 48km
Brandywell is a mountainous area and coniferous woodland region located in the Isle of Man’s Northern Upland Massif.
Interestingly, it’s said to have got its name from the distinctive brandy-coloured water which was once kept in a venerated well nearby.
The area also makes for a brilliant cycle route. Starting in Douglas, riders head south along the Central Promenade before heading northbound to Strang and into the mountainous region even further north.
Sileau Ree, Carn Gerjoil, Beinn y Phott, Injebreck Hill, and Sileau Maggle are just a handful of examples of green mountains you’ll pass as you navigate through Brandywell and complete the loop back down into Douglas via Crosby and Glen Vine.
The small village of Glen Vine is a point on the famous Isle of Man TT course, so you’ll be following in the footsteps (or tyre-turns) of many a cyclist pedalling these roads.
9. Castletown
Map: view
Distance: 21km
On the south coast of the Isle of Man, Castletown was once the Manx capital (although not since 1869).
As the name might suggest, there’s a pretty famous castle in Castletown. The town centre is pretty much dominated by Castle Rushen – a well-preserved medieval castle originally built for a Viking king.
Castle Rushen is one of the best examples of medieval castles to still exist in Europe and is used as an education hub and museum even today, so it’s well worth a visit if you’re cycling in Castletown.
The Castletown cycle route covers gentle mountainous slopes as well as the nearby village of Ballasalla. If you like to go ‘off-grid’, too, there are two main detour routes available to Silverdale and Langness, both of which are less frequently cycled than the main established route.
10. Laxey Cycle Route
Map: view
Distance: 10km
Last but by no means least on our list of Isle of Man cycle routes is the 10km loop around Laxey, on the island’s east coast.
Although relatively short in distance, you’ll need a decent base fitness to complete the Laxey cycle route as you’ll be faced with various hills and inclines along the way – en route to Ballaquine, in particular.
However, rest assured – your efforts will be worth it, as there’s some gorgeous scenery on this route, both old and new, too.
Laxey is home to Manx National Heritage site, King Orry’s Grave – the island’s largest known Megalithic tomb. Partly in a private cottage garden, the grave is somewhere between 4000 and 5000 years old.
If that wasn’t enough, riders can also choose to take a detour to visit the Laxey Wheel (pictured above) or Old Laxey Harbour. The former is built into the Laxey hillside and is the largest working waterwheel in the world.
Specialist cycling insurance from Cycleplan
Whatever bike you have and whatever route you choose to take on (be it on the Isle of Man or elsewhere), you need to ensure you have the right insurance before heading out.
At Cycleplan, our specialist insurance is designed to cover a range of bikes, so whether you already own a bike or are currently in the market for one – you’re in the right place.
Our range of insurance policies are designed to protect both you and your bike, with Personal Accident cover included alongside Theft and Accidental Damage protection, too.
We also offer Public Liability, which covers your legal fees if you injure somebody else or damage property while out on a ride.
Click here to learn more about our bike insurance policies and get an instant online quote today.
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Please note the information provided on this page should not be taken as advice and has been written as a matter of opinion. For more on insurance cover and policy wording, see our homepage.