Climbing Croagh Patrick In 2023: How Long It Takes, Difficulty + The Trail

A morning spent climbing Croagh Patrick Mountain is arguably one of the best things to do in Mayo.

Nicknamed ‘The Reek’, Croagh Patrick Mountain stands at an impressive 764m (2,507 feet), which makes it the 4th highest mountain in the county.

And, while the climb is tricky towards the top (more on this below), those that conquer the Croagh Patrick hike on a clear day will be treated to one of the best panoramic views in Ireland.

In the guide below, you’ll discover everything you need to know about the walk, from how like it takes to climb Croagh Patrick to what to expect along the way.

Some quick need-to-knows about climbing Croagh Patrick

So, unlike some of the shorter walks in and around Westport, like the one out to Tourmakeady Waterfall, the Croagh Patrick walk needs a little bit of planning.

Here’s some quick need-to-knows, from how long does it take to climb Croagh Patrick to where to park nearby.

1. How long it takes

How long it takes to climb Croagh Patrick will depend on your pace and how long you stop along the way and at the summit. When I did it last, it took us 3.5 to 4 hours from top to bottom. I’ve heard of a few people doing it in 2 and a half hours and I’ve heard of a lot of people taking 4 hours+ to get up and down.

2. Height

Ireland’s holiest mountain strands at 764m (2,507 feet) in height, making the Reek the 4th highest mountain in County Mayo.

3. Difficulty

The Croagh Patrick climb, for the most part, is just a long aul slog, as you’re walking at a sharp incline for a good chunk of the hike. The tricky part that’s quite dangerous is when you get close to the top, as you need to make your way up past a lot of loose stones. This can be challenging on the way down.

4. What to bring

A light bag with snacks and water. Dress for the weather and remember it’ll be a lot cooler towards the top of the mountain than it is at ground level. It’s also worth getting a stick from the place in the car park. More on this below.

5. Parking

There’s a car park at the foot of Croagh Patrick Mountain but, as this is one of the most popular things to do in Westport / Murrisk, this tends to fill up quickly on weekends, especially during the summer. If you can’t get space here, you’ll find parking space along the road, not far from the car park entrance.

6. Weather

It’s worth checking the weather (yr.no is a good one) before setting off on your climb, and then planning your climb accordingly. The clearer the day the better – otherwise you’ll arrive at the top to a sea of misty cloud.

An overview of each stage of the Croagh Patrick climb

So, I’m going to break down the various stages of the Croagh Patrick hike, for those of you that like to know what to expect.

Later in the guide, you’ll find some essentials for the hike, like what to bring, what to buy (yes, I’m banging on about a stick again…) and more.

1. Before climbing Croagh Patrick, appreciate its history

Considered to be Ireland’s holiest mountain, Croagh Patrick is renowned for its Patrician Pilgrimage in honour of Saint Patrick, Ireland’s patron Saint. It was at the summit of the mountain that Saint Patrick fasted for forty days in 441 AD.

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.

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.

2. Starting the walk

One of the beauties of the Croagh Patrick walk is how straightforward the route to the top is. The ancient pilgrimage route for the Reek starts from the little village of Murrisk, but you can kick things off right from the car park.

You’ll find the Croagh Patrick Visitor Centre (aka Teach na Miasa) just past the car park where there’s a coffee shop, restaurant and toilets. I’d recommend that you nip in here and grab a stick (€4 a few years back).

When you leave the car park, you’ll make your way onto a tarmac road and you keep going until you reach some steps. It’s from here that the Croagh Patrick walk really starts.

3. The Croagh Patrick hike begins

From the steps, you’ll notice the ground underfoot start to become rocky, sometimes muddy and always uneven. You’ll start to notice a gentle increase in the incline from here, as you walk up along a little stream.

The views start to open up a little behind you, and you get your first glimpse of the islands on Clew Bay. There’s plenty of places to rest up if you need it.

4. The ‘half way’ point

Keep on going for around 40 minutes to 1 hour and you’ll come to a point where the ground levels out. This is referred to by some as the half way point.

There’s a bathroom not far from this point. Now, some people turn around here, others use it for a bit of a food pit-stop while others power on through.

Head towards the foot of what nearly looks like a second mountain. It’s time to make your final descent. When we did this last, it took us 40 minutes to reach the summit from this point.

This section of climbing Croagh Patrick is steep and it’s very easy to loose your footing. A stick comes in very handy here. Keep on going and make sure to soak up the views behind you.

5. The tricky scramble to the summit

Arguably the hardest part of the Croagh Patrick hike is the section right before you hit the summit – it’s just loads of very loose stone that you really do need to scramble to get up.

What makes this even more tricky is the fact that your almost vertical at this point, so make sure to use care (again – a stick comes in handy).

Update: This section of the the path has been greatly improved in recent years

6. The reward

When you reach the summit, you’ll be greeted (hopefully) with one of the best views in Ireland. It really doesn’t get much better than this.

In front of you, the mighty Clew Bay opens up. Take a seat and soak it all up. The story goes that Clew Bay has 365 islands – one for every day of the year.

It was on the summit of the mountain that Saint Patrick fasted for forty days in 441 AD and, according to The Book of Armagh, built a Church.

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. The white Church pictured above was built in the early 1900s by Dr Healy, Archbishop of Tuam, and Fr Michael McDonald.

7. Making your way back down

When you finish up at the summit, it’s time to get back down, and this is where the Croagh Patrick walk can be dangerous.

The stones that you used to get to the summit give way under you at times so take it handy and stick to the left.

There’s a slight edge from the summit that runs a good stretch of the way down. You’ll be able to get a decent bit of grip here to help you on your way.

Things to do near Croagh Patrick

If you’re planning on climbing Croagh Patrick and you fancy seeing more stuff nearby, hop into our guide to County Mayo.

It’s packed with things to do, places to visit and advice on where to grab a post-adventure pint or bite to eat. Here are some other suggestions.

1. Post-hike food (and/or pints)

If you’re in need of a feed after climbing Croagh Patrick, you’ve this lovely little pub just outside the car park where you can grab a victory pint and a bite to eat. Or, there are plenty of restaurants in Westport and loads of pubs in Westport to drop into, also. There’s also lots of hotels in Westport and B&Bs in Westport if you’re looking for somewhere to stay.

2. Beaches, Islands and an incredible valley

If you fancy doing a bit of exploring after climbing Croagh Patrick, you’re a short spin away from loads to see and do. Here are some suggestions:

• Old Head Beach (10-minute drive)
• Silver Strand (30-minute drive)
• The Lost Valley (35-minute drive)
• Inishturk Island (20-minute drive to Roonagh Pier)
• Clare Island (20-minute drive to Roonagh Pier)
• Doolough Valley (25-minute drive)
• The Great Western Greenway (starts from Westport)
• Westport House (in Westport itself)

FAQs about climbing Croagh Patrick Mountain in Mayo

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from how long does it take to climb Croagh Patrick to queries about Croagh Patrick height an difficulty.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.

How long does it take to climb Croagh Patrick?

The length of time that it takes you to complete the climb is going to completely depend on pace. It took us roughly 3 and a half hours to get to the top and back down.  I’ve heard of a few people doing it in 2 and a half hours and I’ve heard of a lot of people taking 4 hours to get up and down.

How high is Croagh Patrick?

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.

Is Croagh Patrick hard to climb?

This is going to completely depend on the person. However, regardless of fitness level, climbing Croagh Patrick is pretty difficult in places.When get close to the summit, the ground is extremely loose which makes getting a solid footing no mean feat.

How do you get to Croagh Patrick from Westport?

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. You could also grab a taxi from the town if you’re not driving.