Tholt-y-Will Glen

Tholt-y-Will runs down the western flank of Snaefell into the Sulby valley, a steep glen with a waterfall on the stream and paths climbing through conifer plantation and older broadleaf above the road. The Sulby reservoir, the largest on the island, lies below it, and the road continues up past the glen to the Bungalow on the mountain course. It is one of the higher and wilder of the national glens with open moorland above.

Background

Tholt-y-Will Glen fills a small side valley that branches off Sulby Glen close to Sulby Reservoir. It holds official status among the Manx National Glens and is the only one in the island's mountainous centre, kept in a semi-natural state by the Forestry Amenity and Lands Directorate. A small car park and picnic area sit at its entrance. The main glen below runs north to south for about 5 km, its floor narrowing in places to only 50 metres between steep sides, with the Sulby River and the A14 road along it. Sulby Reservoir, at the head of the glen, was created in 1982.

Source: Wikipedia, "Sulby Glen"

Highlights

• The waterfall - the drop on the stream partway up the glen.
• The forest paths - routes climbing through plantation and older woodland.
• The Sulby reservoir - the island's largest, in the valley below.
• The moorland above - the open ground running up towards Snaefell.

When to go

April to October gives the best footing and the fullest colour. Winter can leave the upper paths waterlogged. Autumn is the best month for the woods.

Good to know

The paths are steep and rough with limited waymarking. Forestry work closes sections without much notice. There are no facilities at the glen.

Nearby

Snaefell is above, and Ramsey is northeast.