Raad ny Foillan

Infobox Hiking trail
Name=" _gv. Raad ny Foillan"
Photo=Raad ny Foillan sign.jpg
Caption=Raad ny Foillan sign
Location=Isle of Man
Designation=National Trail
Length_mi=95
Start/End Points=Circular: Douglas
Use=Hiking
ElevChange=
HighPoint=
LowPoint=
Difficulty=
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" _gv. Raad ny Foillan" ( _en. The Way of the Gull) is a long distance footpath in the Isle of Man. [ [http://www.gov.im/tourism/activities/walk/raad_ny_foillan.xml Isle of Man guide] ]

Route and history

The " _gv. Raad ny Foillan" starts and finishes at the Millennium Bridge over Douglas Harbour. The circular path, which is 95 miles in length, is way marked around the Manx coast on 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 comprising terrain varying from shingle beaches at the Ayres to over 600 ft high hills and cliffs. [ [http://www.douglas.gov.im/attractions.asp?ID=2265 Douglas Borough Council] ]

The route comprises the following sections:

*Douglas to Castletown (13 miles)
*Castletown to Port St. Mary (7 miles)
*Port St. Mary to Port Erin (5 miles)
*Port Erin to Peel (16 miles)
*Peel to Kirk Michael (6 Miles)
*Kirk Michael to Jurby (5½ miles)
*Jurby to Point of Ayre (13½ miles)
*Point of Ayre to Ramsey (7 miles)
*Ramsey to Maughold (5 miles)
*Maughold to Laxey (8 miles)
*Laxey to Douglas (9 miles)

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. [ [http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2002/jun/15/unitedkingdom.walkingholidays.guardiansaturdaytravelsection guardian.co.uk] ]

ee also

*The "Bayr ny Skeddan" ( _en. Herring Road) - a 14 mile walk between Castletown and Peel based on the route once used by Manx fishermen.
*The IOM Heritage Trail - a 10½ mile walk along disused Isle of Man Railway lines from Douglas to Peel.

References

External links

* [http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/paths/coastal/index.htm IOM.co.uk ]
* [http://www.gov.im/tourism/activities/walk/raad_ny_foillan.xml Manx government website]
* [http://www.manxfootpath.org/index.htm Manx Footpath Conservation Group]