Isle of Man Coast Path – Peel to Glen Mooar

by Alan Cole · Published Thursday, October 30th, 2025 · Updated Thursday, October 30th, 2025

It might not be a huge distance, but I did at least manage to run along some of the coast path while on the Isle of Man. Last time I was there, I ran the short section from Niarbyl to Peel, so this time I started in Peel — at the exact spot I’d finished.

It wasn’t looking like the nicest day for running — pouring rain, a NW gale blowing in off the Irish Sea, and pretty chilly too. Despite Anna pointing out that I didn’t have to do it, I decided to make a start and see how I got on. I was dropped off at the beachside car park by Fenella Beach and set off at a jog up onto the small cliffs below Peel Castle. I’m not sure if the loop around the castle is actually part of the official route, but I decided to do it anyway. Once up the steps, I rounded the headland and was hit by the full force of the wind and rain — nice!

It was just a short loop, so I was soon back where I started, crossing the bridge over the harbour and running along the prom. I met Anna and Pat at the end of the prom and told them I’d continue on. It was cold, wet, and windy, but I felt OK and figured I’d soon warm up. I’d come this far; I might as well do a few miles at least. The next meeting point was an old railway car park partway along the coast.

I headed uphill away from the streets of Peel and onto the headland, where I had a good view back across the bay — a couple of people were surfing below, and the castle looked impressive through the gloom. The path was easy to follow and well surfaced along here, with just a few minor undulations as it twisted and turned along the cliff tops. It was nice along here, though I didn’t stop for many photos thanks to the weather.

After a couple of miles the track joined the road and soon led to the car park where I met Anna and Pat. I was still feeling good, so I had a sip of water from them and carried on, with plans to meet again at Glen Mooar a few miles further on. I went through the gate and set of trottingh along the path – the sign on the gate had said “No Galloping” which was a shame!

The trail from there followed an old railway line — now a grassy, muddy track scattered with puddles. Having been a railway, it was flat and easy to follow, so I plodded along at a steady pace. The trees had passed their autumnal best and the bracken was a bright orangey-brown along the embankments. I crossed a few small streams and some impressive autumnal glens, ducked through a tunnel under the road, crossed a bridge.

With the easy going nature of the path I soon found myself back on the main road into Glen Mooar, where I turned left and made my way down to the beach. I found Anna and Pat waiting in the car park, where I called it a day — 6.5 miles done.

Not the longest of runs or the most exciting stretch of path, but satisfying to have ticked it off — and the weather made it more of an adventure than it might otherwise have been. Once I was moving, it wasn’t really an issue, and certainly better than slogging through a baking hot day.