Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail |
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Croagh Patrick
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| Length | 61 kilometres (38 miles) |
| Location | County Mayo, Ireland |
| Designation | National Waymarked Trail |
| Trailheads | Balla, Murrisk |
| Use | Hiking |
| Elevation gain/loss | +1,205 m (3,953 ft) |
| Highest point | 310 m (1,017 ft) |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Season | Any |
| Website | http://www.croaghpatrickheritagetrail.com/ |
The Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail (Irish: Siúlóid Oidhreachta) is a special walking path in County Mayo, Ireland. It's about 61 kilometers (38 miles) long. This trail starts in Balla and finishes in Murrisk. Most people take three days to walk the whole trail. It's a great way to explore the beautiful Irish countryside!
Discover the Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail
The Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail is a famous long-distance trail. This means it's a path designed for walking over several days. It's officially known as a National Waymarked Trail. This title is given by the National Trails Office of the Irish Sports Council. This group helps make sure trails in Ireland are well-maintained and safe.
The trail was officially opened on March 6, 2009. It was opened by Éamon Ó Cuív, who was a government minister at the time. The trail even won an award! It was a runner-up in the Heritage category of the 2009 Pride of Place awards. This award celebrates great local community projects.
Exploring the Route
The trail travels west from Balla. You will walk on different kinds of paths. These include quiet roads, small country lanes called boreens, open fields, and tracks through forests and mountains.
You will pass through several villages along the way. These include Clogher, Ballintubber, Killavally, and Aghagower. The trail then crosses the northern side of Croagh Patrick. This is a famous mountain. Finally, the trail ends in Murrisk, near the coast.
Keeping the Trail Great
In November 2016, good news came for the trail. The government announced that money would be given to improve it. About €34,600 was set aside for general upgrades.
More money, €25,000, was also planned for a new starting point in Knock. This funding would also help extend the trail from Balla to Knock. Finally, €9,600 was provided to update the signs. These new signs would help walkers find their way easily from Balla to Murrisk.
