Summer walking festival on the Isle of Man

The Isle of Man may be better known for the high-speed TT motorbike race, but this month sees a far slower event take place.

The Isle of Man Walking Festival, which takes place from June 24th to 29th 2007, is a great way to have a highly sociable active holiday in the UK.

As well as walks for holidaymakers of all abilities, the festival also offers a chance to see the island's tourist attractions and enjoy music and dancing events in the evenings.

There are between six and eight walks leaving every day of the festival from the first Monday, giving holidaymakers plenty of chances to try many different routes and take in lots of the island.

Most of the walks are graded A to C dependent on how challenging they are.

Some of the easiest walks include a visit to the Ballaugh Curragh Wildlife Centre which has no set distance, and offers a chance to see wild birds of prey that like to roost in the area. Bringing binoculars is recommended.

There is also a shorter walk on the Wednesday which makes its way around the most northern part of the island. Described as "very flat", holidaymakers meander along country lanes and field paths and visit Ayres Lighthouse and the nearby shingle beach.

You can also take two-hour walks through the island's woodlands and glens, where you can see Spooyt Vane - one of the highest waterfalls on the Isle of Man.

For a more challenging, easy-rated walk there is the Colby Glen to Bay ny Carrickey four-mile route, which takes in a wooded gorge on its way to the wide expanse of the bay itself.

However, if you are an experienced hiker and are looking for a more challenging walking holiday the festival also offers a chance to do the full 95 miles of the Coastal Path. Be warned however, the festival organisers explain it is a "long and demanding experience" that takes five days.

In the evenings there are ghost walks, and music and dance events including a jazz band, Manx dancers, a male choir, and a night of Celtic music and dancing.

A six-night Walking Festival holiday package to the Isle of Man in June 2007 is available from £299 per person, including six-nights' accommodation, return sea travel from Liverpool, all walks, social events, maps and on-island transport.

For an additional charge you can fly from a choice of 17 UK airports including London Gatwick, London City, Manchester, Bristol and Birmingham.

For more information see www.isleofmanwalking.com or www.visitisleofman.com