About
Marine Drive is a great dog walk with exceptional views. The road was closed to traffic some years ago but is open to walkers and cyclists and forms part of the Raad ny Foillan, ‘The Way of the Gull’ long-distance path. The more energetic can walk the whole route, approximately 8km, and possibly catch the steam train back.
You can start driving along, but you will have to turn around at some point. While driving, you must be aware that rock falls remain a problem. This means you can go to the road closure gates, park your car, and walk along.
You will get great views over the Little Ness Marine Nature Reserve (MNR), and you may spot some whales and dolphins. Minke whales are most common in September and October, Risso’s dolphins in the summer, Bottlenose dolphins in the winter, and Basking sharks occasionally.
Marine Drive was originally part of the Southern Electric Railway, which opened in 1896 but was closed during the wars. Although it reopened after WW1, it never reopened after WW2. After significant investment and work, primarily to remove the bridges and cut the road into the cliffs, Marine Drive opened in 1962 as a Douglas-to-Port Soderick roadway but closed 20 years later, in 1977, due to coastal erosion and landslides.
Dog Access and Rules
Marine Drive is a great dog-friendly location where off-lead walks are possible, though there are steep drops in places where the walls along the road have eroded.
Access and Facilities
You have no facilities on the road itself. You can start at either end using the trams, or you can do what we did: drive along until the barrier, park the car, and do an out-and-back walk.












