Dhoon Glen - Glion y Dowin

Dhoon Glen (Glion y Dowin) is in the Parish of Maughold and to the north of Laxey (Manx: Laksaa). It is the deepest glen on the Island and one of the most beautiful. It is a steep glen with many steps and that needs to be remembered, particularly when it is time for you to return to the top. However, the views are wonderful and is worth the effort.

The glen is a wooded valley and when descending you suddenly find yourself in a clearing with panoramic views down to the Irish Sea. Covering an area of some forty-four acres the glen has the spectacular waterfall of Ineen Vooar (Big Girl) which falls over forty feet in two drops. A small path takes you to the bottom of the fall and as you stand next to a pool it cascades down in front of you.

The large structure before reaching the waterfall is the remains of the wheel case which was used to service a mine in the mid nineteenth century. The path leads down to a small cove with a shingle beach surrounded by high rocks. A note of interest is the story that the glen is haunted by the ghost of a girl who drowned many years ago.

Access is by car, (ample parking across the road from the entrance), bus or electric tram. A little cafe stands at its entrance.

Our visit

It was a cold Autumn day when we visited just before Halloween or Hop-Tu-Naa as it is known to the Manx. The leaves were turning into shades of brown, red and gold. It offered a magnificent views down to the deep blue Irish Sea below. Despite the time of year we did not meet the ghost that is said to haunt the glen but it certainly does have a magical feel and quality. A glen that needs to be visited and we finished with a welcome cup of tea at the small cafe at the entrance which is next to the tram stop.