Croaghaun: Achill Island's incredible cliffs (hiking guide) 2017

Croaghaun is an imposing figure on the west coast of Ireland standing at 688m, the 3rd highest sea cliff in Europe. A wild and battered windswept mountain that exudes a raw natural power. The cliff mountain is on Achill Island in County Mayo and is a very special place as the views and the scenery spectacular and really show the effects of nature. I've also added a hiking guide So please, enjoy this video and feel free to subscribe and leave comments.
This is our 2nd hike as part of the 8 peak mountain challenge as we tackle mental health issues and fight the stigma.
Firesong by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommon...)
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[@alipitogen]

I recommend also. to those young or fit enough. to take in Croaghaun by a longer route, which is to head first for the remote beach of Annaugh, over one of the ridges between Croaghaun and Sliabh Mór mountains, the ridge being approached by one of the bog roads inland from Dooagh village past the derelict(as of 2021) Atlantic Hotel. Please research carefully the descent to Annaugh, and indeed the entire route I suggest, because there are many nasty surprise precipices, but at least two descents I know of are simple enough, even though daunting at first encounter. After taking in the magic of the inaccessible beach head generally west near the coast, taking in Lough Nakeeroga and Bunafreeva East, and eventually climbing to one of the most eerily beautiful places imaginable, Lough Bunafreeva West, a corrie lake with a mountain cowl. Arriving at its northernmost shore head left and seek the most gentle part of the slope heading up Croughaun mountain. You will ascend to a point above the said to be haunted lake before the start of those massive cliffs, so keep right up the ridge and carefully ascend to shortly reach the point where the brilliant uploader of this video (mean that though I don't know him) reaches the cliffs. This route is a 4-6 hour walk varying by pace and leisure. I hope the uploader doesn't mind my adding this suggestion because I loved this video, thanks.

[@MountainMikesAdventures]

Thank you for that wonderfully descriptive and detailed comment. I've been to Annagh strand before and it's a lovely place particular for a wild camp. I'm hoping to get back and video a hike/wild camp taking in Slievemore and Croaghaun getting shots of what you have described. Once again thank you for taking the time to write this comment I hope people find it helpful as I'm pinning it to the top.

[@alipitogen]

@@MountainMikesAdventures Thank you so much, so kind. I've done the walk I describe 3 times but it is many years since I did that entire route from Annaugh to Croaghaun. I just hope my memory was accurate, so apologies to all if I got any details wrong.

[@MountainMikesAdventures]

No it all sounded right to me so thank you again.

[@CharlieBahr]

We walked from Keem Beach up to the western side (330m). Because of the strong wind and low clouds, we stuck to that area and looked down from the ridge/lower mountain. I was petrified and amazed. We couldn’t see much of the upper mountain. What an incredible area. Thanks for the review.

[@TheMyeloman]

I've never felt as strong a pull, a longing to be in Ireland as when I watch these videos. Thank you for sharing not only your journey but these spectacular views. Absolutely breathtaking…

[@MountainMikesAdventures]

Myeloman wow that means a lot thank you. I love this country and the amazing nature that's in it. I'm very happy that comes through in the video. Thank you for all the support 👍

[@ciarandevaney385]

@@MountainMikesAdventures ist seher gut

[@MountainMikesAdventures]

Sadly my German is terrible so I had to translate what you said, "very good"? I think? if it is then thank you for the comment :)

[@martinaburke1543]

Great video! Thank you for sharing your trip to the top. I had hoped to do it at the weekend from Keem side but was a bit intimidated! Must try this route now that you've given such clear directions.

[@MountainMikesAdventures]

Thank you, I hope you enjoy and have a good time. However, if there's cloud cover on top don't summit as it can be very dangerous

[@martinaburke1543]

@@MountainMikesAdventures Thank you so much! I will definitely take that advice. I wouldn't have the skills to navigate that at all so definitely won't chance it. Loving the videos!

[@MountainMikesAdventures]

Thank you, it's an old one at this stage. I must get back and do it again. Happy Hiking.

[@michaelking9772]

Just came back from Achill beautiful place the cliff's the beach's the Wild Atlantic makes it a special place.!!!!Watch out for the Stags ,Red Deer I mean.

[@MountainMikesAdventures]

Yeah its a class place alright but most of the WAW is. I'm guessing you mean deer along the WAW and not Achill?

[@michaelking9772]

@@MountainMikesAdventures No a young Buck leaped across the road in front us about a mile before leaving Achill on October 6th scared the shit out of me and my son unfortunately no camera on the car to record it.!!!

[@jamesoutandaboutn.i227]

Brilliant video mate.i definitely have to explore this place. Well done 👍

[@MountainMikesAdventures]

Thank you very much and for the sub. Yeah it's a savage place and a great location to go hiking. I've spotted you do some hiking/wild camping videos yourself I must check them out in a bit. Next week I'm to be filming two wild camps so keep an eye should have the videos out over the next couple of months.

[@jamesoutandaboutn.i227]

@@MountainMikesAdventures thanks mate. Yea il keep an eye for your videos.i think it's only a few hours away from Belfast so il definitely be going there a some point. Nice speaking to you atb james

[@mossychestnut1]

well done Quinny,

[@MountainMikesAdventures]

Cheers buddy

[@morgandruet7255]

Hi and thank you for sharing. Mighty Croaghaun has been on my bucket list for years. How long was hike over and back ? Suitable for children ?

[@michaelc6828]

I love the content guys. thank you very much. I have done the west side cliffs only 2 times from Keem but I will do the main ascent next time...Can you do it from the Keem side? PS. I am also being called by the dragons tail but will recce this a couple of times erring on caution of course on your advice. Delighted I found your channel..I also have planned a wild camp on Annagh Strand due to your recent wild camp video so thank you again.

[@MountainMikesAdventures]

Thank you I'm glad you enjoyed it. You can of course do it the other way, however, it's very steep going from that side but much shorter. Yeah Annagh is a wonderful spot and if you can get it with nobody else there it's even better.

[@michaelc6828]

@@MountainMikesAdventures Perfect..thanks Mike

[@clayfada2384]

That beach has gone gallavanting again .It dissappeared this year a few weeks or days ago

[@MountainMikesAdventures]

Oh really, I never heard about that, thanks for the update.

[@MountainMikesAdventures]

You've gotta love the power of nature.

[@DariaArkova]

What a great video thanks for sharing ! How long takes this hike ?

[@MountainMikesAdventures]

Thank you for those kind words I'm glad you enjoyed it. That hike took me about 4hours I believe but you can do longer versions of it. I'm hoping to go back next summer and film another route as it's an amazing place.

[@DariaArkova]

@@MountainMikesAdventures thanks for the answer ! Hope you'll be able to find an other route this summer :) I'll do that hike this winter and your content helps a lot

[@MountainMikesAdventures]

@@DariaArkova A fantastic time to do it in, just take care. I'm planning on starting by climbing Slievemor and continuing on to Croaghaun, down along the cliffs to finish up on Keem beach... well that's the plan anyway it's just about getting the time ha

[@TheToco81]

Would it ever be advisable to hike out to the very end, the dragon's tail as some locals call it?

[@MountainMikesAdventures]

I wouldn't advise no but then again I wouldn't advise going up into the mountains in bad weather which I've done. If you felt compelled to do it be very carful and only go out as far as you feel comfortable but I wouldn't advise going out the whole way.

[@TheToco81]

@@MountainMikesAdventures Thanks Mike. I think I would bottle it if I had opportunity. When no one else is doing it there must be a danger! Was on Croaghaun twice. Great climb. Great video by the way.

[@MountainMikesAdventures]

@@TheToco81 ah theres a difference between bottling it and making the safe choice. Yeah its a savage spot but thats video is old I must get back and make another. Thanks for the kind words.

[@nialloneill1904]

Ye missed the most unbelievable corry Lake in Ireland - Bunafreva. After the steep part just keep going straight. Then traverse the cliffedge all the way to the top. The best way to go about the cliffs for sure.

[@MountainMikesAdventures]

Niall o neill cheers for commenting buddy 👍 I decided to leave that for a future video. I'll be attempting the cliff walk and then onto Slievemore.

[@nialloneill1904]

Excellent! Pm me if you need any tips. Benn up there a good 20 times. Epic landscape at the westernmost tip of Achill and completely undiscoverd.

[@MountainMikesAdventures]

Niall o neill cool it'll probably be next year as we nearly have this challenge finished. It's been up there with my favorites and I'll try and give it as much recognition it deserves 👍

[@lallyoisin]

Theres an elephant in the room!

[@MountainMikesAdventures]

How do you mean?