ISLE OF MAN – Day 3
The one with enchanted waterfalls, Allie’s car commentary, and a final paddle in paradise.
SUMMARY
Our final day of walking delivered the magic: cascading gorge walks straight out of Middle Earth, quirky road antics courtesy of Allie’s car descriptions, and a coastal trail so beautiful it could rival the Greek islands. We ended with sandy toes, sun-kissed cheeks, and (of course) celebratory ice cream. What. A. Week.
☕️ 8:30 AM – A Toast to Sunburn & Tinned Fruit
It was a slower-paced morning with tired legs and happy hearts. Breakfast chatter was filled with tales of sore feet, trail tales, and the all-important topic of sunburn severity. (“You could fry an egg on my neck!” someone said.)
And yes, tinned mandarins made another glorious appearance. A retro delight!
🐴🚋 9:40 AM – Confused by Horsepower
We began walking to the tram stop, while seven of the crew had set off 30 minutes earlier to ride the famous Douglas Horse Tram. “Look! There’s Mark and Cheryl!” I cried as a tram zipped past — but it was going the wrong way. Had they abandoned the walk for a joyride?
Turns out… yes. They loved it so much, they did multiple laps just for fun! The Horse Tram, in case you’re wondering, has been clopping along the promenade since 1876, one of the last of its kind in the world.
🚃 10:11 AM – Full Steam & Faux Whistles
At the electric tram station, I strapped up my aching foot just as the full group reunited, horse tram joyriders and all.
“All aboard!”
The conductor’s whistle blew… followed by a chorus of humans doing their best steam whistle impressions. Naturally.
🐐 10:42 AM – Laxey Again: No Donkeys, No Drama
We arrived at Laxey — now a familiar stop, minus yesterday’s “baby donkey” (which, to my eternal shame, was actually a goat). From here, we disembarked at a tiny tram halt (I’ve forgotten the name) in the middle of nowhere. And that’s when the real magic began.
🧝♀️🌿 11:10 AM – Into the Gorge: Elves Not Included
We descended into a hidden glen — a lush, green wonderland straight out of Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings.
Imagine:
- Waterfalls cascading over mossy rock
- Ferns brushing your arms as you weave down the trail
- A clear stream bubbling over smooth stones
- Ancient trees arching above like a cathedral canopy
To top it off, a school group was “gorge walking” in helmets and wetsuits, splashing, tumbling, and squealing in delight. Pure joy.
🚐📸 11:45 AM – Road Rants, Tram-Selfies & The Car Spotter’s Game
Leaving the fairy-tale gorge behind, we climbed steep roads under the beating sun. We passed a futuristic-looking eco house with a living roof and self-tinting windows. If James Bond retired to the Isle of Man, he’d live there.
Ken, in creative spirits, took a group selfie using a tram mirror, while Allie found herself inspired by one of Ken’s stories. He told us about a past group who, instead of simply shouting “car!” from the back, would call out full vehicle descriptions — “Blue Ford Fiesta!” or “Red Vauxhall Astra!”
Allie couldn’t resist. She fully committed.
“White, battered old transit van!” she called.
“Nope, that’s a Renault,” Ken replied, without missing a beat.
From that point forward, every passing car got a full breakdown, and we all walked in stitches.
🐦🌄 12:02 PM – Charlie’s View & a Legend in Stone
We reached a peaceful hilltop spot called Charlie’s View, named after Charles Kerruish, a respected Manx politician and Speaker of the House of Keys. The viewpoint — known in Manx as Rhullick ny Quakeryn — offers sweeping vistas and features raven sculptures, symbolising Norse mythology and Celtic tradition.
Croquet was on the lawn nearby as we kicked off our boots and melted into the grass. Heaven.
🌞 12:20 PM – Maughold: Toilets, Tombs & Toasting in the Sun
We slogged along more tarmac in the midday heat (cue Allie again: “Dark grey Nissan!”), eventually arriving at the village of Maughold. The public loos here were immaculate, and the nearby Maughold Church is home to over 40 ancient Celtic crosses, some dating back to the 6th century. The site is both a spiritual sanctuary and a historical treasure trove.
Ken shared stories of the area, but all we heard next was the magic word: “Lunch.”
🧺 1:00 PM – Lunch Above the World
We climbed to a secluded hilltop above Maughold for the perfect picnic with a sea view. The coastline unrolled before us like a blue satin ribbon, Ramsey in the distance, and the sea glittering in hues of aqua, teal, and sapphire. You’d swear you were somewhere in the Med.
Apart from the occasional sonic boom (military jets?), it was perfectly still. Sun cream was flowing. Umbrellas were up. Life was very, very good.
🥾 1:50 PM – Splitting the Pack: Lighthouse vs. Coastal Heaven
At this point, we divided into two groups — one with Ken heading to Maughold Head Lighthouse, the other (my group) strolling the coastal path into Ramsey.
And what. a. path.
Craggy cliffs, sweeping sea views, and wild orchids lining the trail. The sea was glass-calm, shimmering in greens and blues, with bracken and wild thyme scenting the air. If you’d told me we were walking into a Greek fishing village, I wouldn’t have questioned it.
🌊 3:20 PM – Under the Arches & Into the Sea
Back on road, we made our descent into Ramsey, passing under a beautiful stone arch that demanded a photo or two. Once in town, we did the only sensible thing — shoes off, trousers rolled, and straight into the sea for a paddle.
The water was warm. The laughter was loud. The moment? Perfect.
🚃🚌 4:00 PM – Trams, Buses & Thank Yous
Ice creams were devoured, and then it was time to head back. Some chose the scenic 70-minute tram ride, others hopped on the bus (me!). Either way, there was a feeling of quiet satisfaction in the air.
Final Note 💙
A heartfelt thank you to Ken, our guide, who brought this island to life with stories, laughter, and a keen eye for goats disguised as donkeys.
I never expected the Isle of Man to have mountains, gorges, or so much soul — but it’s all here. This has been one for the memory bank, and then some.
Tomorrow, we head home. Thanks so much for reading the blogs. Until the next adventure… 👣