Croagh Patrick

Croagh Patrick

Overview

Croagh Patrick, known as The Reek, rises to 764 m above Clew Bay in County Mayo. Its summit chapel is a focus of pilgrimage, especially on Reek Sunday. The standard walk climbs from Murrisk on the Pilgrim Path and returns the same way, with a steep final ascent on the rebuilt stone path.

Summit

The summit chapel stands at the top of the mountain. The 764 m summit record uses its northwest corner as the location reference at L905802; this is a summit elevation, not the height of the building.

Pilgrim Path: complete return walk

Start at the signposted paid car park in Murrisk on the R335. Pass the statue of Saint Patrick and follow the main path up the northern slopes to the shoulder, then climb the steep stone steps on the summit cone to the chapel. Return by the same Pilgrim Path to the Murrisk car park. The complete out-and-back is approximately 7 km; allow three to four hours, with longer for rests, bad weather or pilgrimage crowds. The rebuilt path does not remove the demands of a steep mountain descent. Stay on the defined tread and do not bring dogs.

Terrain and weather

An uneven mountain path climbs from Murrisk to the shoulder, followed by a steep final climb on constructed stone steps to the summit chapel. The path restoration was completed in April 2024. Loose scree remains on the surrounding upper slopes. The summit cone is steep and the descent demands sustained care; wet stone steps and uneven ground can be slippery. Wind, cold and low cloud can be much more severe at the summit than in Murrisk. Bring waterproofs, warm layers, sturdy footwear, food, water and navigation equipment.

Access and conservation

Mountaineering Ireland asks walkers not to use the Ben Goram descent to Kilsallagh because parked vehicles have obstructed farm access. Return on the Pilgrim Path instead. This is a specific advisory about that descent, rather than a closure of the whole mountain. The path crosses private working farmland. Dogs are not allowed. Stay on the defined path and keep clear of habitat-restoration areas. The mountain streams supply drinking water to the local community; protect them from pollution and take litter home.

Parking and public transport

Use the signposted paid Croagh Patrick car park at Murrisk on the R335, at the start of the standard Pilgrim Path. Keep access clear and follow parking stewards during pilgrimage events. Bus Éireann route 450 serves Westport, Murrisk and Louisburgh. Check the operator’s timetable for your walking date, including the return journey from Murrisk.

Facilities

Cafés and visitor-centre facilities are available at the foot of the mountain in Murrisk; check opening times before relying on them. Use toilets at the base before climbing: Westport Parish states that there are no toilet facilities on the mountain. Carry food and water for the complete return walk.

Views

In clear weather, the summit overlooks Clew Bay and its islands, with views across the surrounding Mayo landscape and towards Connemara.

Geology

Croagh Patrick consists mainly of Silurian Cregganbaun Formation quartzite and psammite. The resistant metamorphic sandstone forms the prominent peak, while angular scree covers much of the upper slopes. These deposits include debris accumulated during the last Ice Age; later runoff has cut gullies into the northern slopes.

Name and pilgrimage

The Irish name is Cruach Phádraig. The local name The Reek refers to the mountain’s distinctive rick-like conical shape. Croagh Patrick is a longstanding pilgrimage mountain associated with Saint Patrick, who according to tradition fasted on its summit for forty days. Reek Sunday takes place on the last Sunday of July. The pilgrimage includes stations on the mountain; Reilg Mhuire lies down the western side and is separate from the usual summit-return route. Reek Sunday brings large crowds. Allow extra time and follow stewards and mountain-rescue instructions. Wear suitable walking footwear; mountain rescue advises against climbing barefoot.

Nearby

Murrisk village and Clew Bay lie below the northern approach. The Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail finishes at Murrisk; it is a separate long-distance walk, not the summit ascent.