A Guide to Hiking Croagh Patrick: Ireland's Sacred Mountain

Croagh Patrick, a majestic peak located near the town of Westport in County Mayo, is one of Ireland's most iconic and sacred mountains. It stands at more than 2,500 feet and is not only a destination for avid hikers, but it's also a place that holds deep religious significance. Each year, thousands of pilgrims make the trek up this rugged mountain, particularly on Reek Sunday, which falls on the last Sunday in July. Whether you're climbing for religious reasons, the stunning views, or simply the challenge, hiking Croagh Patrick is a rewarding experience. I'll guide you through everything you need to know about hiking Croagh Patrick, from the historical and religious significance to practical tips for a successful summit.

A Guide to Hiking Croagh Patrick: Ireland's Sacred Mountain

The Significance of Croagh Patrick

Before you even set foot on the trail, it's important to learn a little bit more about the importance of Croagh Patrick in Irish culture and history. Known locally as "The Reek," Croagh Patrick has been a pilgrimage site for over 5,000 years, dating back to the pre-Christian era. The mountain became more widely known due to its association with Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. 
According to tradition, in the year 441 AD, Saint Patrick fasted for 40 days on the summit of the mountain while battling the forces of darkness. It is said that he used this time to banish snakes from Ireland, a symbol of driving out evil and converting the Irish people to Christianity. Today, the mountain remains a site of deep religious reverence, and pilgrims climb it in honor of Saint Patrick, often barefoot to take part in his hardships. 
You'll find a lot of stone piles as a place of remembrance for families who have lost loved ones. We also saw remembrance books, obituary cards and rocks with prayers on them from people bringing their prayers closer to God.

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Getting to Croagh Patrick

Croagh Patrick is located about 5 miles from the picturesque town of Westport in County Mayo. Westport is the perfect home base for your hike, offering charming accommodation options, cozy pubs, and a fun town to wander and enjoy. 
We stayed at the Westport Coast Hotel. It was a great hotel with easy access to Croagh Patrick, but it wasn't in the heart of the city, rather close to the Quay. It did have a great thermal spa that was included that made the stay that much more enjoyable. And there was free parking that was included.
It's about a 10 minute drive to get to Croagh Patrick's visitor center. There is plenty of parking for a fee {at the time of this writing it was 3 euro for unlimited time}.  If you go early enough or are lucky, we were able to find street parking for free. 

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The visitor center has a lot of useful information about the hike, the history of the area and toilet facilities. If you are planning your hike on Reek Sunday or during peek tourist times, prepare to arrive early to secure parking and avoid the crowds.

Pro tip: The visitor center has walking sticks you can buy {borrow?} for 4 euro. I honestly think a walking stick gets more in the way and is more of a hindrance. When we got there at 9 am, most people weren't using walking sticks. By the time the day progressed and we were headed down, almost everyone heading up had a walking stick. I'd skip it, but that's me. 

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The Route: What to Expect on Your Hike of Croagh Patrick

The hike up Croagh Patrick is a challenging one. We do a lot of hiking in the Pacific Northwest with a fair amount of elevation gain, and this one was a doozy! The trail has three main sections: the base, the shelf, and the summit.

1. The Base

The first section of the hike starts at the visitor center and follows a well-marked path up a gradual incline. You may not feel like this is a gradual incline, but compared to the other parts of the trail, trust me, it is. This portion of the trail is manageable for most skill levels, and has a scenic start to the climb. The first part of the hike gives you magnificent views of Clew Bay and its many islands, as well as some of the surrounding countryside.

At this point in the climb, there is a lot of lush landscape and even some beautiful streams and waterfalls. As you gain elevation, the path starts to get steeper, and the terrain gets rockier.

Pro tip: while some people hike this mountain barefoot, might I suggest some good hiking boots with ankle support to help you navigate any of the loose rocks that you'll find on the trail. The trail is often uneven and can be slippery, so come prepared!

2. The Shelf

This middle section is known as the shelf. This is where the hike becomes significantly more challenging. You might come to this section and get excited to see the bathroom facilities, but from my understanding these have been closed for quite some time and are pretty disgusting so avoid them. 

The shelf levels out a bit but then the trail starts to steepen. The terrain is rough and stony, and has a lot of loose rocks underfoot. It doesn't make the climb any easier if you ask me! You might need to stop and take a few breaks to catch your breath. Make sure you're staying hydrated!

The weather on Croagh Patrick can be unpredictable, and the winds can really kick up. Having lots of layers of clothing is really helpful. I warmed up, and then quickly cooled down in a matter of minutes.

Make sure you also take some breaks to look back and take in the spectacular scenery. The higher you go, the more dramatic the views! 

3. The Summit

The final ascent to the summit is the most difficult part of the hike. The path becomes so steep that it almost seems like it's vertical! There are a LOT of rocks. A lot. It seems never ending!

At the summit, you'll find a small white chapel, St. Patrick's Chapel, built in 1905. The chapel is sometimes open for services on Reek Sunday and other special occasions, but it's generally closed. You'll also get some incredible 360-degree views if you're lucky. The views popped in and out of clouds as we were on top. On a clear day you can see all the way to Connemara to the south, Mweelrea to the north, and the Doolough Valley to the west. Clew Bay and its 365 islands {yep, one for every day of the year!} is just below!

Take some time at the top to enjoy the views and refuel before beginning the descent. You might be glad you've got a windbreaker or an extra layer of clothing {and gloves} at the top! It gets cold up there. Going down all those rocks takes a bit of time!

Pro tip: it took us 1 hour and 20 minutes to get to the top from the parking lot. We spent 30 minutes on top to enjoy the view. We thought it would be a quick downhill, but the uneven terrain doesn't make it easy. It took us 1 hour and 10 minutes to get down.

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Tips for a Successful Hike

To make the most of your hike to Croagh Patrick these practical tips might help!

1. Wear the right shoes! We saw people hiking in flip flops and it looked miserable. I'd even venture to say that tennis shoes probably aren't your best bet either because they lack the ankle support. Bring hiking boots. The trail has a lot of uneven rocks that will make your trek easier.

2. Dress in layers: We got lucky with a beautiful warm day, but boy was I glad that I had my fleece lined windbreaker at the top! The wind whips up and it gets cold and there's nothing protecting you at the top!

3. Start early: We started our hike at 9 am and I couldn't believe the long trail of people coming up mid morning as we were coming down. It's a popular hike so keep that in mind!

4. Bring snacks and water: You'll burn a few calories, so make sure you are fueled up! 

5. Watch your step on the way down! I don't think I can say it enough, this trail is very rocky and the path is very uneven. Be prepared.

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The Spiritual Experience of Reek Sunday

While we didn't hike Croagh Patrick on Reek Sunday, we chatted with some "regulars" who have. There are thousands of pilgrims from around the world that come to climb the mountain. Many do so barefoot in an act of penance, following in the footsteps of St. Patrick. Masses are held at the summit, and priests are available for confession. It's definitely more crowded and adds a bit to the challenge, the communal and spiritual atmosphere of Reek Sunday is a unique event in and of itself.

We actually summited with a man in his 70's who hikes Croagh Patrick every single Sunday. This was his 100th summit! His whole family was with him to celebrate. He uses his weekly hikes as a time to offer up prayers for his friends and family in the community who are sick. 

Hiking Croagh Patrick is much more than just a physical challenge. It's a journey through Ireland's history, culture, and spirituality. There's definitely something pretty special about it and the hike will provide an unforgettable experience for your trip to Ireland. 

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