Mayo · Ireland
Croagh Patrick
Ireland's holy mountain — the pilgrimage summit St Patrick reputedly fasted on for 40 days. Loose scree climb, 360° view over Clew Bay.
Updated August 23, 2026
The last hour is loose quartzite scree — genuine care needed on the descent. Ideally not in cloud. The 30,000-person Reek Sunday pilgrimage (last Sunday of July) is a sight but not the day you want to climb.
Best months: May-September (dry conditions)
Trailhead / base town: Westport
Nearest airport: NOC
Waymarked: No — navigation skills required
Waypoint map — 5 points
Topographic base map + trail polyline. Click each waypoint for the trail-note.
Elevation profile
Estimated — download the GPX for definitive elevation data on device.
611m
Peak gain
Profile is an approximation from the trail's published ascent metres + typical mountain-profile shape. Real per-metre elevation available in the GPX download opened on Garmin, Gaia, Komoot, or Apple Watch.
Community reviews
Real hikers, real dates, real conditions. No premium tier — no AllTrails-style paywall.
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Trail waypoints in order
- 1
Murrisk Car Park (Start)
- 2
First Station
Statue of St Patrick
- 3
The Shoulder
Where the scree starts
- 4
Summit + Oratory (764m)
Small chapel, celebrated Mass on Reek Sunday
- 5
Murrisk Car Park (Finish)
Getting out of Westport (NOC)
Skip the taxi rank and lock in your fare before you land.
Pre-book a fixed-price transfer
Our pickDriver waits at arrivals with your name, tracks your flight, and the price you see is the price you pay. English-speaking, fixed price. No surge, no haggling at 2am.
Check transfer pricesRenting a car instead? Compare rentals with free cancellation.Croagh Patrick — frequently asked
How long does the Croagh Patrick take to complete?
4-6 hours (day hike) for the full 7km (764m total ascent). Difficulty grade: challenging.
Is the Croagh Patrick waymarked?
No — this is a navigation-required route. Bring an OS 1:50,000 sheet + compass, know how to use them, and check the MWIS forecast before you start. Not for first-time hillwalkers alone.
When is the best time of year for the Croagh Patrick?
May-September (dry conditions). Outside these months conditions can turn technical (mud, mist, short daylight) and the value-per-effort drops sharply.
Where should I base myself for the Croagh Patrick?
Westport — the trailhead is here and it's the natural place to sleep before + after. Fly into NOC, pre-book airport transfer, and pick a base hotel with parking if you're doing multiple sections.
Do I need a permit for the Croagh Patrick?
No permit required — the trail crosses public land, National Parks land, or is a formally waymarked national trail with open access. Respect any farm-stile signs and leave gates as you found them.