Making or planning to do a pilgrimage with my brother. Croagh Patrick, nicknamed the Reek, is a 764 m mountain and an important site of pilgrimage in Mayo, Ireland. How high is Croagh Patrick? We forgot to bring a rucksack which meant carrying everything. it took us roughly 3 and a half hours to get to the top and back down. Climbing Croagh Patrick mountain takes a couple of hours, and is quite arduous towards the top as you have to scramble over a giant cone of rocks before arriving at the small church on the summit. As I struggled up the first section, sun cream and sweat half blinding me, a kid that could have been no more than nine and a woman on the tail-end of sixty blazed by me. Each year, the Reek attracts about 1 million pilgrims and hillwalkers. The climb is always worth undertaking for the spectacular views. It is the fourth highest mountain in Mayo on the international P600 listing after Mweelrea, Nephin and Barrclashcame. The white Church pictured above was built in the early 1900s by Dr Healy, Archbishop of Tuam, and Fr Michael McDonald. Answer 1 of 5: I've seen varying accounts of how long it takes to climb Croagh Patrick. Ideally, you’d want to set-off on the climb in a pair of hiking boots but we had to improvise. Even from there the views were spectacular. There are many high hills in Ireland but this one has the distinction among the Irish people of being called 'The Reek'. They’re dead handy on the way up and make things an awful lot easier on the way down. Croagh Patrick is situated near the town of Westport in County Mayo, Ireland. Croagh Patrick known locally as the Reek is 2,510 feet high, almost 3 miles … Magnificent views of Clew Bay and the surrounding south Mayo countryside are to be … When you begin the climb, look out for the small well from where St Patrick baptised his first converts. During an archaeological excavation on the summit in 1995, the foundation of a stone oratory dating back to between 430 and 890 AD was unearthed. My level of fitness is pretty good, as I climbed various mountains in the past such as Snowdon, and the Yorkshire 3 peaks. Edited by Mr. Harry Hughes, it shows many visual aspects of the mountain and a variety of … If you’re planning a visit, knowing what the weather will be like in advance is essential. I was very cold and soaked to the bone. It's located in Connacht, Ireland.Croagh Patrick is situated in South County Mayo and stands 764 metres tall. But due to a number of reasons, it wasn’t until 2016 that myself and the aul lad visited Mayo and we actually ended up reaching the top. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Any insight? Climb the mountain, but this time as a pilgrim. Related read: Staying nearby? My husband & myself are thinking of climbing it tomorrow, NYears eve, what better way to end one year & get ready for the next! In 2016, 20,000 people climbed Croagh Patrick on Reek Sunday. While secretly wondering whether or not my travel insurance would foot the bill for the pair of us being airlifted from the top of Ireland’s Holiest mountain…. Ireland’s holiest mountain stands at an impressive 764 m (2,507 ft) and you’ll be able to see it in the distance from many places in the county. Croagh Patrick is situated five miles from the picturesque town of Westport in the village of Murrisk, and the mountain’s conical shape soars majestically above the surrounding countryside. However I am just concerned about the weather, is it wise to attempt the climb in November? This is going to completely depend on the person. There’s no shame in resting. Is Croagh Patrick hard to climb? Make sure you’ve some snacks packed for your Croagh Patrick hike. You battled your way up it over the course of a few hours and the view out over Clew Bay (if it’s a clear day…) will make it all worthwhile. This site exists to inspire and guide you on an Irish adventure that’ll give birth to a lifetime of memories (sounds very arsey altogether, I know!) In particular, pay close attention to the weather section and the packing essentials (don’t just arrive at the mountain empty-handed!). It is reckoned that more than 100,000 people climb ‘The Reek’ every year. NEARLY 25,000 PILGRIMS from Ireland and overseas are expected to climb up Croagh Patrick in Mayo for ‘Reek Sunday’. Or you can buy the sticks for four Euros at the cafe in the car park. My husband and I were in Westport on honeymoon during the annual pilgrimage back in 2012 and it was busy! How long does it take to climb Croagh Patrick? My Stay in Westport . Have a great time. We reached only half-way to the top because of wind and rain. When we were planning our trip, I used yr.no to get as much info on Croagh Patrick weather conditions as far in advance as possible. By Mary Catherine Fitzsimmons The idea of climbing Croagh Patrick has drawn two different flocks of believers, going all the way back to St. Patrick’s own time. At the time, I was 5 months post-back surgery and he had a dodgy hip. Many people make the journey everyday the weather permits. It is approximately 92 km from Galway City and 230 km from Dublin City. Croagh Patrick Ordnance Survey Maps: 30 & 37. On Reek Sunday (or more properly Garland Sunday), the last Sunday in July, around 25,000 pilgrims climb the holy mountain, many in their bare feet. A nice little souvenir. By far the trickiest part of the climb was the first 20 minutes of the descent – but we made it without any falls, Thank God. Just wondering if there are any toilet facilities on the route up the mountain. It's a Other size geocache, with difficulty of 2, terrain of 5. It was around 2 and a half hours to the top. It’s most difficult as you begin your final climb towards the summit. Just outside the Wild Atlantic Way town of Westport in County Mayo stands the scree-covered peak of Croagh Patrick. You can buy poles on site. Rent one of the sticks when you get there and take your time. Croagh Patrick (GC5XCYT) was created by buachaill on 6/12/2015. As you ascend and descend you’ll see people catching a breather. I did it in the summer with my Dad and it was pretty busy. I’ve just asked my dad there as I couldn’t for the life of me remember. Croagh Patrick can be seen for miles. I stuffed a little bag of almonds into my pocket along with a banana, which did the job. Or you can buy the sticks for four Euros at the cafe in the car park. Hi Keith, we were there last week and the rate for the sticks is four Euros, with two returned back. Known locally as “the Reek”, it’s scaled by thousands each year on Reek Sunday, the last Sunday in July, with some of the more devout tackling the 7km pilgrim trail and 750m climb barefoot. Strongly suggest waterproof gear and shoes. However, regardless of fitness level, climbing Croagh Patrick is pretty difficult in places. Gotta say, I loved the hotel package I signed on for when I arrived in Westport. The car park and climb are free, but donation boxes are set up along the route. Ledge isn’t the right way to describe the thing that you can hold, but I can’t for the life of me remember exactly what it was. The second is from the Mountain Rescue base at Taobhnacroibhe off the Leenane rd (Turn right at the sign … Sunday week, July 26, is Reek Sunday, or Garland Sunday or Garlic Sunday or even Crom Dubh Sunday, and I am sure there are many other names to describe the famous pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick, when many thousands climb to its rocky summit. If you don’t think you’re up for it, just give the top half a miss. It could have just been thin rock jutting up out of the mountain. That being said, always exercise caution. You could join thousands of others (some barefoot) on ‘Reek Sunday’, the last Sunday in July or on St Patricks holy day (17th March). The one thing you’ll realise pretty quickly is that the stone underfoot from the top to the bottom of Croagh Patrick is incredibly loose – so the more grip the better. Considered to be Ireland’s holiest mountain, Croagh Patrick is renowned for its Patrician Pilgrimage in honour of Saint Patrick, Ireland’s patron Saint. Thanks! The Croagh Patrick Mountain (764m or 2500 ft) Pilgrim Path and Hiking Trail is a moderate to strenuous 7km (3-4 hr) walking route to the ever popular, spectacular and iconic peak of Croagh Patrick Mountain which rises above Clew Bay and the surrounding landscape near the popular tourist town of Westport on Irelands Wild Atlantic Way. Located roughly Most people who climb this holy mountain do so along the traditional pilgrim route from Murrisk Abbey, although some pilgrims complete 'the Pilgrim way'- the Tochair Padraig from Ballintubber Abbey. If you’re planning on climbing Croagh Patrick and you fancy seeing more stuff nearby, hop into our guide to County Mayo. Good God that picture is bad! We're younger women that want to take in all of the sights on the way and at the top. As far as the stick rental place and the visitor centre, I’m not sure. Pilgrimage will be led by Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam accompanied by the Apostolic Nuncio and Bishop Brendan Kelly of Achonry. Climb the mountain! A special Pilgrim Prayer Card is being launched in Westport, Co Mayo today in time for the annual Reek Sunday pilgrimage, which is expected to see as many … Good shoes and a hiking stick are a must. The hike, as you can imagine, is steep – your legs will be burning, but you expect this with a mountain like Croagh Patrick. There’s a lovely little pub just outside the car park where you can grab a victory pint and a bite to eat. Known as Reek Sunday, it attracts over 25,000 pilgrims each year and originally began during the time of the pagans, when people gathered here to celebrate the beginning of the harvest season. Good for: People who don’t know how to navigate, but who want great views of the Atlantic coastline. © Copyright © 2020 The Irish Road Trip | All Rights Reserved, I’ll be honest – dodgy back or not, I wasn’t gone on the idea of renting a stick for our Croagh Patrick hike, Climbing Croagh Patrick: Some quick need-to-knows. It was at the summit of the mountain that Saint Patrick fasted for forty days in 441 AD. if you’re travelling from Westport, it’s a handy 13-minute drive, a kind of handy 32-minute cycle and a definitely not handy 3-hour walk. Croagh means mountain. The last thing you need at 2,000 feet is a twisted ankle. We're younger women that want to take in all of the sights on the way and at the top. Thanks! Duration: 7km each way (check), 3-4 hours return. Listen to your body and rest when you need to. There's a pay and display car park for a few euro. Stretching back a whopping 5,000 years from the Stone Age to the present day without interruption, the pilgrimage takes place on the last Sunday of July. Once you start to get stuck into your hike, you’ll realise that climbing Croagh Patrick isn’t as straightforward as just, well, just climbing. Climbing Croagh Patrick, the Magic Mountain. 3. Check out our guide to 11 of the best things to do in Westport (adventure centres, kayaking, beaches and more!). The mountain is 764m (2,507ft) tall and is the third highest mountain in Mayo after Mweelrea and Nephin (but is undoubtedly the most popular!). Croagh Patrick: Where do I start the climb? You'll find everything from. Known as Ireland's holiest mountain, it soars 762 metres above the surrounding countryside. Croagh Patrick is 5 miles from the picturesque town of Westport and its conical shape soars majestically above the surrounding countryside. This is going to completely depend on the person. Loved your advice and tips. It could be worth grabbing one of those walking sticks with the spike at the end from a hiking shop before departing. Now, carrying a banana in your pocket may seem a bit awkward, but let me tell you, it’s about fifty times more awkward than it sounds. Hi, I will be travelling to Westport on Friday 1st November and I am so hoping to climb CP that weekend. By sheer luck, the sun was blazing. It is climbed by pilgrims on Reek Sunday every year, which is the last Sunday in …