Sweeping views, plenty of heather, and a killer climb make this another one of those random rambles that turned out way better than expected, despite the distance and elevation gain.

Directions

Park at the crossroads in Crosby, there’s plenty of space and a public loo by the playing fields. Start heading west on the Heritage Trail, a former railway line linking Douglas to Peel. After 5 km leave the trail at Curragh Road and walk north to the Ballacraine crossroads. A the time of writing there’s roadworks going on between you and the junction, so if you’re attempting this hike at any point over the next eight years you may need to make a detour to St. Johns.

200 meters north of Ballacraine there’s an entrance to a greenway road on your right, dead opposite the exit from Tynwald Mills. You’ve probably driven past it a thousand times and never noticed, today you’re taking that bad boy all the way up to where it meets Mill Road from Greeba, just below the Beary Park Plantation.

Go straight across the top of Mill Road and follow the track down to a 90 degree left bend, after which it starts to climb again with Glion Gill Plantation on your right. Follow the track past the plantation and through the heather. You can try to ignore the vertical geography right before you, but it’s no use – you’re going over the top. Console yourself with one last look towards the western horizon, where on a good day you should be able to see the Mountains of Mourne in Ireland.

From the top of Lhargee Ruy, carry straight on until your path intersects with another, and turn right. If you haven’t hit your rations yet this might be a good place to sit and munch while you look south towards the airport and yet more distant mountains, this time in North Wales. Follow the path down towards civilisation, turning right onto the Millennium way just after you’ve passed Braaid Farm on your left.