A visitor footpath at Glen Helen has re-opened to the public.
Paths in the glen, one of the Island's most popular, run up from the car park by the TT course to Rhenass waterfall.
Following clearance work and the installation of boardwalks, an additional route along one of the original Victorian paths is once more accessible.
This higher path runs from the Rhenass waterfall up the south bank of the glen and follows the southern boundary high above the river to join the Eairy Beg/Eairy Mooar track.
The downstream end of the track can be accessed across the wooden footbridge which crosses the river from Glen Helen car park. This bridge also leads to walks within Eairy Beg plantation.
Chairman of the Forestry Division, Brenda Cannell MHK said, "The newly-opened path enables visitors to the glen to enjoy much different aspects than those of the lower riverside paths. The path allows views across the glen and down to lower levels.
"Many people will already be familiar with the fascinating Giant Sequoias with their spongy bark which stand nearer the Swiss Chalet. With the opening of this path, more of the magnificent trees within the glen, particularly huge beech, are also now within easier reach".
Much of the glen as it exists today was created in the 1860s by a consortium of Manx businessmen interested in arboriculture.
They laid its paths, carried out extensive planting of trees and ornamental shrubs, constructed river bridges and even had a small menagerie which still operated to the 1950s.
"The romantic claim that the glen was created by Mr. A.F. Marsden, who planted over a million trees and named it after his daughter, is incorrect..."
The glen opened to the paying public in 1867. The attractive name Glen Helen was likely chosen from Greek myth to reflect the beauty of the location. The romantic claim that the glen was created by earlier owner, Mr. A.F. Marsden, who planted over a million trees and named it after his daughter, is largely incorrect.
Mr. Marsden was deceased at the time, had four daughters none of whom were named Helen, and a planting of that scale would represent nearly 4 trees per square yard!
The Glen came into the ownership of the Department’s predecessor, the Forestry Mines and Lands Board, in 1958 and, like many of the Island’s former pleasure gardens, has been managed in a more semi-natural manner as trees matured and the leaf canopy closed overhead.
The glen has a children’s play area and toilet facilities (including disabled). Refreshments and meals are available from either the nearby hotel or restaurant. There is reasonable access for the less-able along the north riverside path and ample parking in the car park.
