Croagh Patrick

The stick shop at the bottom of the mountain is incredible. During that hike the walking stick was my best friend. It saved me from a few falls, and also worked as a great rapier.

What a beautiful hike! I was going to skip the reek, but I am so glad I changed my mind. The views throughout the entire way up and down are stunning. I’m not religious, but I thoroughly enjoyed the hike — it’s for everyone! It can get pretty challenging towards the top — lots of loose rocks, but it takes people anywhere between 1.5−3 hours to hike up. The day I went, it was extremely windy and cold at the top — I would advise bringing layers, a hat, and gloves if you have them. Do not miss out on hiking the reek!

Hiking the reek has been a bucket list item for me for quite sometime. We decided to stay away from Reek Sunday and do the Monday after. Good thing as we heard the rain and wind were even worse on Sunday than Monday.
In the spirit of a pilgrimage the hike was beautiful — full views and islands galore. When we hit the first flat place the fog came in and with it the rain. Certainly a different kind of beautiful — But we had rain coats and walking sticks.
This is not an easy climb when it is pouring rain with horrible wind, but we did it. Especially scary the last haul before the top. Vertical and extremely slippery not to mention other pilgrims knocking rocks down.
I am so glad we did the hike, but I will need to come back and hike it on a dryer day. It would have been nice to see the top as we ascended.

Nothing to add about the place or the hike itself. The other reviews are accurate. All I can say is that if you are near Croagh Patrick then by all means find the time to visit. It is simply extraordinary. The views are magnificent and you do not need to walk to the top to experience them. This is a very special place. The energy is wonderful and soothing. I will return.

This is a challenging hike, even for fit people. We’re not expert hikers, but we do go on several hikes a year while on vacations and typically exercise regularly while at home. I knew Croagh Patrick was going to be difficult, but wasnt expecting such a steep ascent. Most of the hikes I’ve been on are over heavily tree-​lined mountains and have some areas of relatively flat terrain to break up the vertical rise. Croagh Patrick offers little of this respite and presents instead mostly rocks and the odd sheep! It’s literally a straight climb to the top and the wind makes it all the more unforgiving. I did struggle, I won’t lie. The views of County Mayo and Clew Bay are astounding, however, and completely worth it. There is something very special and spiritual about the hike and I definitely urge you to try it if you’re prepared! We did not take sticks although at points I wish we had done so. We somehow did the hike in 2.5 hrs roundtrip, although my arse is currently paying the price. I’d probably slow down and go in 3 or 3.5 the next time. Stop for a Flake 99 ice cream at the bottom of the mountain and then over to the Tavern Pub for a luscious pint of Guinness to reward yourself at the end!

Croagh Patrick, nicknamed the Reek, is a 2,507 ft tall mountain and an important site of pilgrimage in County Mayo; it is 5 miles from Westport.
A really enjoyable hike with stunning panoramic views! It is a relatively tough hike so I would recommend proper hiking footwear and a stick, especially for the descent as the loose stones are very difficult to walk on!
The view at the top is amazing; The Chapel at the summit, St. Patrick’s leaba, and, of course, Clew Bay; according to tradition, there is an island in the bay for every day of the year.
Trust me, you will feel like ditching the stick on the way up; but you will regret it on the way down.

Great excercise. Loads do it but it’s tough going in parts particularly near the top where it’s very steep. Do yourself a favour and get a good stick, they sell them near the bottom for 1 or 2 euros.
If you’re lucky and it’s clear at the top the views are fabulous.

Nicknamed the Reek, is where St Patrick banished the snakes from Ireland from and is a pilgrimage site for thousands every year, particularly on Reek Sunday (I wouldn’t dream of going then)
2550 feet high and the last quarter of that to reach the summit is very slippery, so not an east climb, if you are fit you can do it in 3 hours, but realistically any where from 3 to 5 hours is the guide time. Bring a coat, water, snacks and the most important thing… a good stick!
Don’t for one minute think it is an easy climb, thousands do it but its difficult and tough going.
But well worth it