OUTDOORS Walk of the month – Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail

PEACEFUL PASS Walkers must pass through an old stile at this tree-lined section of the Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail between Balla and Clogher.

Saintly heritage marks Croagh Patrick trail


Walking
Cathleen Fergus

Croagh Patrick Heritage trail
Total distance 61k
Balla – Clogher 8k (2 hours)
Clogher – Ballintubber 12k (3 hours)
Ballintubber – Killawalla 5k (1 hour 15 minutes)
Killawalla – Aughagower 16k (4 hours)
Aghagower – Murrisk 20k (5 hours)   
Difficulty Hard, but depends on distance and stages walked
Trail surface Forest roads, woodlands, minor roads, mountain track
Minimum gear Walking boots, raingear, stick, snacks and fluids, camping gear if necessary

It’s that time of year again when New Year resolutions are made so what better resolution to make than to get active and get out and walk one of the many wonderful trails we have in County Mayo.
Ireland has an impressive number of medium- and long-distance walking routes known as National Waymarked Trails, and Mayo boasts two: the Western Way and the Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail. 
The Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail extends from Balla to the village of Murrisk. At a total distance of 61k, it’s one to be done in stages or over a weekend. The trail was created by the Tochar Valley Rural Community Network in association with landowners and in partnership with a number of organisations. It passes through a variety of terrain, forestry, fields, woodland, bog, boreens and minor roads before leading you across the foothills of Croagh Patrick on a well-trodden mountain track that’s offers you stunning views of Clew Bay.



Should you still be feeling energetic at the finish point, which is just to the side of the gate that brings you onto Croagh Patrick above the statue of the saint, you have the option of ascending to the top.
The trail’s attraction owes itself to a number of reasons: Firstly, the variety of terrain – it has the lot; secondly, it can be done in stages, so it can be as long or as short as you want your walk to be; and finally, it is steeped in heritage.
Waymarked trails are inspected annually to ensure they meet the National Waymarked Standards. Over two fresh, blustery days in early December, the trail was inspected in the company of Pat McLoughlin from the Tochar Valley Rural Community Network, who enlightened us on many of these heritage sites as we made our way from Balla to Croagh Patrick, including the round tower in Balla, early Christian sites, ring forts, Doonamona Castle and Clogher House. To learn about these and more, why not sign up for the annual 2012 Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail Walking Festival, which takes place on March 23-25?

For further information and downloadable maps of individual sections of the walk, visit www.mayowalks.ie. For more information on directions, accommodation and services along the way, or the Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail Walking Festival, contact info@croaghpatrickheritagetrail.com or visit www.croaghpatrickheritagetrail.com.

Cathleen Fergus works for South West Mayo Development Company as Rural Recreation Officer. Her job includes the design, development and promotion of walking and cycling trails. She can be contacted at living@mayonews.ie.