Isle of Man Mountain Road (TT Course)
A18 · Ramsey → Douglas · Isle of Man
- Length
- 14 miles
- Drive time
- 25 min
- Type
- Technical road
- Region
- Ireland & the Isle of Man
Before you go: ⚠ Closed to cars during TT (late May–early June) and Manx GP; fog on the mountain is common
The most famous stretch of road in motorsport: Ramsey to Douglas over Snaefell on the TT course, past Guthrie's, the Bungalow, Kate's Cottage and Creg-ny-Baa. Sections outside towns are derestricted — no national speed limit — but treat it with the respect the TT's history demands, and watch for bikes at all times.
Ramsey to Douglas on the A18 is the Mountain Course: Guthrie's, the Bungalow, Kate's Cottage, Creg-ny-Baa. Outside the towns the road is derestricted — no national speed limit — which is a legal fact, not an invitation. The surface is generally excellent, wide enough, and the sightlines on the mountain are the ones you have seen on television. What the television does not show is hill fog sitting on Snaefell, sheep, and bikes travelling at a very different pace to a road car. Treat every crest as occupied.
The road is closed to ordinary traffic during the TT (late May into early June) and the Manx Grand Prix. Check the calendar before you book the ferry, not after. The rest of the year it is a normal A-road that happens to be famous. Fuel in Ramsey before you climb; Creg-ny-Baa is the food and photograph stop — the hairpin and the pub sit together, with a proper car park, not a verge. Guthrie's Memorial is a smaller pull-off; the Bungalow is the tram halt and a windy lay-by.
Pair it with a lap of the rest of the TT course if you have the day, or just drive it once each way and get the boat. Heysham or Liverpool to Douglas is the usual crossing from Britain.
People have died on this mountain in races and on ordinary Tuesdays. Drive it as a road with a history, watch for bikes at all times, and do not treat derestricted as a target.
Highlights of the Isle of Man Mountain Road (TT Course)
- Derestricted mountain mile
- Creg-ny-Baa pub hairpin
- Snaefell & TT landmarks
Where to stop on the Isle of Man Mountain Road (TT Course)
- Spar filling station, Ramsey fuel — Last fuel before the Mountain Road — nothing on the A18 between Ramsey and Douglas
- Guthrie's Memorial viewpoint — Lay-by at the memorial bend — views back over Ramsey and the island's northern plain
- The Bungalow viewpoint — Open moorland crossing at ~420 m where the Snaefell tram meets the course — classic TT vantage point
- The Famous Creg-ny-Baa food — Corner pub on the fast drop towards Douglas — grandstand seat for the TT's most famous bend
Drive the Isle of Man Mountain Road (TT Course)
Open Isle of Man Mountain Road (TT Course) on the map → ⬇ Download GPX
GPX works with Garmin, TomTom, Beeline and most bike sat-navs. Free, no sign-up — these are indicative waypoints, so follow the road signs, not the arrow.
Plot it, add it to a club run with a meeting point and pit stops, then share the whole trip as one link. Free, no account, works offline.
Route research: Venture Bound
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