How I conquered the Isle of Man’s top trails

There is a magical swimming pool at Ballaglass Glen. Deeply cut into the old flagstones, in the middle of oaks, larch and beech, it is fed by a waterfall, dotted with sunbeams and probably skins more beautiful vegetarian - Manx Gaelic for the mythical 'little people'. As I slid my tired legs into the numbingly cold water, I felt a sense of excitement.

It had been the most glorious of days, as I took on my first of the island's eight new top walks; in between, these moderate to challenging routes conquer 25 of the Isle of Man's 300+ meter ...