Raad ny Foillan

Route and history

The Raad ny Foillan starts and finishes at the Millennium Bridge over Douglas Harbour. The path, which is 102 mi in length, forms a complete loop around the Manx coast, waymarked with signs showing a gull on a blue background.

The walk was created to mark the Island's "Heritage Year" celebrations in 1986 and generally follows the coast, passing through terrain varying from shingle beaches at the Ayres to over 1400 ft hills and cliffs.

The route comprises the following sections:

• Douglas to Castletown, including the Langness peninsula 19.75 mi
• Castletown to Port St Mary, 6 mi
• Port St Mary to Port Erin, 7 mi
• Port Erin to Peel, 15 mi (this section can be shortened by leaving out Bradda Head and the Niarbyl)
• Peel to Kirk Michael, 7.5 mi
• Kirk Michael to Jurby, 7 mi
• Jurby to Point of Ayre, 8.5 mi
• Point of Ayre to Ramsey, 7.5 mi
• Ramsey to Maughold, 5 mi
• Maughold to Laxey, 8 mi
• Laxey to Douglas, 10 mi

The Fastest Known Time (FKT) for the Raad ny Foillan is 21 hours, 21 minutes and 25 seconds, set by Orran Smith (self-supported) in October 2020.

Flora and fauna

The coastal sections may provide sightings of seabirds such as kittiwakes, Manx shearwaters, puffins, guillemots and sea gulls together with grey seals, and at points inland the rare Manx Loaghtan sheep on areas protected by Manx National Heritage.

References

References

1. (2009-04-17). "Walking and Wildlife on the Isle of Man - Raad Ny Foillan (Road of the Gulls) - Isle of Man Government -".
2. "Raad Ny Foillan (United Kingdom) | Fastest Known Time".
3. Smith, Rory. (15 June 2002). "Leg Man".