Isle of Man
North Barrule
565M
1854FT
About North Barrule
Dominating the skyline above Ramsey, this peak marks the rugged northeastern end of the island's main mountain range. The climb across heathery slopes is rewarded by a clear sightline over the northern plains and across the Irish Sea to the fells of the Lake District and Galloway.
Key Statistics
Rank
2nd Highest in Isle of Man
Parent Range
Isle of Man
Prominence
?
387m
Nearest Town
Maughold
Geology
You are walking over ancient layers of mudstone and siltstone. These foundations of hardened mud and small pebbles form the solid ground beneath your boots.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SC442909
Latitude
54.2899°N
Longitude
4.3951°W
Did You Know?
- •The name Barrule stems from the Old Norse Vörðufjall, meaning 'Watch-tower Mountain'. This refers to its historical importance as a lookout for spotting invading fleets, with the peak serving as part of a chain of coastal warning beacons.
- •On an exceptionally clear day, the summit offers a view of the 'Four Kingdoms', allowing walkers to see the English Lake District, the Scottish Southern Uplands, the Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland, and the mountains of North Wales.
- •The hill forms a key part of the Millennium Way, a long-distance path following the ancient 'Via Regia' (Royal Way), which was the historical route used by the Kings of Mann between Ramsey and Castletown.
- •While the hill looks exceptionally sharp and mountainous from the promenade in Ramsey, the summit itself consists of broad peat hags that are considerably less photogenic when you are trying to navigate through them in the mist.