Castle Peak Hike Castle Peak Route Castle Peak Trail Heart Lake Hike Shasta-Trinity National Forest California

The short hike from Castle Lake to Heart Lake explores a scenic part of Shasta-Trinity National Forest near Mount Shasta. The fun doesn’t need to stop once you reach that endearing lake. Hike off trail up a ridge from Heart Lake to a summit with extraordinary views that has been given the unofficial name of Castle Peak. You will feel like royalty when you stand on this mountaintop, taking in a bold perspective of the Castle Crags and at least three snow-capped volcanoes (Mount Lassen, Mount Shasta, and Mount McLoughlin) while also looking down over Heart Lake and Castle Lake.

Routes up the north and east sides of Castle Peak make it possible to visit the summit on a loop above Heart Lake. Hiking from Castle Lake to Heart Lake to Castle Peak and back down is around 3.2 miles round trip with 1,180 feet of elevation change. Castle Peak has awesome views and, as off trail summits go, is not too hard to reach.

The route to and above Heart Lake is not well marked. Review the hiking directions to Heart Lake and nearby Little Castle Lake, which could be added to this itinerary to extend the hike from around 3.2 miles to just over four miles. The hike starts from Castle Lake, which is a beautiful mountain lake and a great hike-free attraction in the national forest.

Castle Lake Shasta-Trinity National Forest
Castle Lake
The basic directions to Heart Lake are:
  1. Set out from the end of Castle Lake Road on Castle Lake Trail (0 miles)
  2. Cross Castle Lake Creek and turn right at the split (0.07 miles)
  3. Leave the forest and turn right at the first of two unmarked junction onto Heart Lake Trail (0.57 miles)
  4. Bear right as the trails to Heart Lake come together (0.64 miles)
  5. Stay to the right through an unclear junction (0.67 miles)
  6. React the outlet of Heart Lake (1 mile)
Heart Lake Shasta-Trinity National Forest
Castle Peak above Heart Lake

It is a 0.7-mile ascent from Heart Lake to the summit of Castle Peak, gaining 585 feet. At the point where Heart Lake Trail crosses the creek that flows from Heart Lake, you’ll have a wide-open view down over Castle Lake toward Mount Shasta and Black Butte. The trail continues around the far side of Heart Lake and comes to a split. Staying to the left, you could continue around the lake to the bottom of the heart shape for a perspective back across the water toward Mount Shasta. To get up to Castle Peak, bear right at this split. The trail dwindles to a footpath as it passes a few trees toward a grassy area above the lake with a small, potentially dry, pond.

Just past the pond, bear right as the path splits again. The steep slope on the north side of Castle Peak is ahead of you. The trail, to the extent that their still is one, really breaks up once you reach the base of this slope, about 0.15 miles from Heart Lake. Begin a steep 150-foot climb up the side of the ridge in front of you. You can take multiple paths up this slope and any route to the top of the ridge will do. One option is to angle to the right toward the ledge at the end of the ridge. Here you can hike along the edge of the thick brush atop the steep granite cliffs above Castle Lake. This would be a precarious route to take when snow and ice are present, but during summer months, you’ll be rewarded with views over Castle Lake toward Mount Shasta.

Castle Lake and Mount Shasta
Castle Lake and Mount Shasta from the ridge above Heart Lake

Ascend along the cliff’s edge or cut back to the left for a less daunting approach. Once you come over the top of a rounded ridge, the various footpaths consolidate and form an easier-to-follow path. Turning to the right, the route heads south following the ridge to the summit. The trail weaves through clusters of manzanitas and climbs across boulder piles toward a grove of pines on the east side of the ridge. Stay to the left of the trees and push up the spine of the ridge. Patches of snow can be present on this side of the mountain even in summer months. Safely make your way over or around the snow to arrive at the mountaintop.

Heart Lake Shasta-Trinity National Forest
Heart Lake and mountains to the northeast

The route up the ridge reaches a level spot where fellow hikers have built a circular stone shelter as a refuge from the wind. To the right, a short path leads west to an outcropping of rocks at the true summit. From the high spot, you can look south and west over surrounding ridges in the Klamath Mountains. The finest views are visible right from the rock shelter, looking southeast toward the Castle Crags and northeast over Heart Lake and Castle Lake.

Castle Peak Summit
A rock shelter at the top of Castle Peak
The Castle Crags from Castle Peak
The Castle Crags from Castle Peak

Look northeast to see familiar features from the hike up. Heart Lake is cradled beneath the peak and below that you’ll see the much larger Castle Lake. The snow-covered mass of Mount Shasta rises beyond the immediate forest. The smaller Black Butte sits to the left of the 14,180-foot volcano. In the distance, you should see the snowy peak of Mount McLoughlin, 85 miles away in Oregon.

The view to the southeast is completely new and captivating. Look over Castle Crags Wilderness toward a crown of jagged, sawtooth peaks, each with its own dramatic shape. This exotic cluster of granite points known as the Castle Crags is out-of-place from the surrounding landscape and is mesmerizing to look at. In the distance, beyond this daunting gathering of peaks, you should have a view of Mount Lassen, nearly 70 miles away. Pacific Crest Trail crosses the slopes on the south side of Castle Peak and you will see the trail as it wraps around the base of the Castle Crags Formation in the foreground to the east.

Enjoy all the views from this 6,615 summit before moving on. You could return the way you came, which was a roughly 1.7-mile long ascent from Castle Lake. Alternatively, you can hike down the east side of the peak. The previously described route up the north side is easier to follow, which is one reason it is recommended for the ascent. The route on the east side of the mountain is less defined, which is less of a concern on the hike down. Also by hiking down the east side, you’ll face the Castle Crags and can spend the descent admiring every sheer granite point.

Castle Crags California
Castle Crags from the ridge east of Castle Peak

Set out down the east side of Castle Peak, hiking over loose rock and boulders. A path leads over step-sized rocks and through a few patches of brush. Just do your best route finding as you descend the mountainside. Spectacular views of the Castle Crags are joined by a perspective looking down the steep ridge toward Heart Lake. The heart shape is very defined from this nearly overhead angle.

Castle Lake and Mount Shasta
Castle Lake and Mount Shasta from the ridge east of Castle Peak
Heart Lake Aerial View
Looking down on Heart Lake

About a quarter mile below the summit, a path drops off the side of the steep ridge toward Heart Lake. You could take this route, but it seems better to stick with the ridge until it reaches more tapered terrain.

In another tenth of a mile, you will hit a split. One path branches off to the left and takes a gradual route down the side of the ridge. The other path sticks with the top of the ridge. Ahead, the ridge curves to the left around a bowl-shaped depression in the terrain and curls toward the mountain pass at the junction of Heart Lake Trail and Castle Lake Trail. You could continue along the ridge to drop down to Heart Lake Trail at a lower point, but it seems to make just as much sense to leave the ridge top here.

Bearing left at the split, 0.35 miles below the summit, the path gradually cuts along the side of the ridge through a pine forest. You will only sacrifice a bit of elevation as the trail runs parallel to the ridge. As the path reaches the bowl in the terrain that is formed by the ridge, the slope becomes less steep. The path seizes on this opportunity and turns left to go downhill more quickly. Make your way down a few switchbacks as the path breaks up into different routes used by previous hikers. The paths are narrow, but easy enough to follow over the open terrain. Looking back up the slope, the paths are much harder to identify, making this route more difficult to track in reverse.

Mount Shasta and Heart Lake Trail
A view of Mount Shasta from the hike down to Heart Lake Trail

Hike down the slope toward Heart Lake Trail. As you get close to the trail, the paths seem to disappear completely. Just curve to the left and find Heart Lake Trail near the steep spot below Heart Lake.

When you hit the actual trail, turn right to return to Castle Lake. If you hike farther along the ridge, you’ll return to Heart Lake Trail at a lower point. Either way, hike down to Castle Lake Trail and turn left to get back to the trailhead (or make a right turn to check out Little Castle Lake).

This hike up to Heart Lake and Castle Peak ascends 1,180 feet and is around 3.2 miles round trip depending on your route. Dogs are welcome on this outing as well. No permit is required to day hike in Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Parking at the trailhead does not require a fee, so get out and enjoy! Camping is available just 0.3 miles down the road at Castle Lake Campground. Other nearby hikes include Lake Siskiyou Trail (South Shore Loop), Faery Falls, and Spring Hill.

To get to the trailhead: Take interstate 5 to exit 73B in Mount Shasta. At the end of the offramp, head west (away from the city) on Lake Street toward Hatchery Lane, following signs for Lake Siskiyou. Turn left on Old Stage Coach Road and drive south for 0.2 miles. Veer right onto Barr Road and drive another 2.3 miles to Ney Springs Road. The intersection comes after you cross the outlet of Lake Siskiyou. Turn left up Ney Springs Road and make the next right onto Castle Lake Road. Drive 7 miles up to the end of the road at a parking area by Castle Lake where the hike begins.

Trailhead address: Castle Lake, Castle Lake Road, Dunsmuir, CA 96025
Trailhead coordinates: 41.2303, -122.3816 (41° 13′ 49.07″N 122° 22′ 53.76″W)

Elevation Profile
Click or hover over any spot on this elevation profile to see the distance from the start and elevation above sea level at that location, which will be highlighted on the map.
Trail Map

View Castle Lake Area in a larger map
Or view a regional map of surrounding Northern California trails and campgrounds.

Photos

Castle Lake Shasta-Trinity National ForestCastle Lake Shasta-Trinity NFCastle Lake Shasta-Trinity National ForestCastle Lake Mount ShastaCastle Lake CreekCastle Lake TrailCastle LakeCastle Lake Shasta-Trinity NFCastle LakeCastle Lake Shasta-Trinity NFCastle LakeCastle Lake TrailCastle Lake TrailCastle Lake TrailLarkspur WildflowerTufted Phlox WildflowerColumbine WildflowerGolden Stars WildflowerCastle Lake Trail HikeCastle Lake Trail Heart Lake TrailHeart Lake Hike Shasta-Trinity NFCastle LakeCastle Peak Heart Lake TrailHeart Lake TrailBlack Butte and Mount McLaughlinBlack Butte ViewCastle LakeCastle Lake TrailCastle Lake TrailHeart Lake TrailHeart Lake TrailHeart Lake TrailHeart Lake TrailHeart Lake Trail Mount ShastaHeart Lake TrailHeart Lake TrailHeart Lake Shasta-Trinity National ForestHeart Lake Shasta-Trinity NFHeart LakeHeart Lake TrailHeart Lake Shasta-Trinity National ForestHeart LakeHeart Lake Shasta-Trinity National ForestCastle Lake and Black ButteCastle Lake, Mount Shasta, and Black ButteCastle Lake, Mount Shasta, and Black ButteMount ShastaHeart Lake PathHeart Lake PondHeart Lake PondHeart Lake Foot PathHeart Lake Foot PathCastle Peak RouteCastle Peak RouteCastle PeakCastle Lake and Mount ShastaCastle Lake and Mount ShastaMount ShastaHeart Lake Shasta-Trinity National ForestHeart Lake Hike Shasta-Trinity NFHeart Lake Hike Shasta-Trinity NFCastle Peak RouteCastle Peak RouteShasta-Trinity National ForestCastle Peak HikeCastle Peak HikeHeart Lake Hike Shasta-Trinity NFCastle Lake and Mount Shasta from Castle PeakCastle Lake and Mount Shasta from Castle PeakCastle Lake and Mount Shasta from Castle PeakCastle Peak SummitCastle Lake and Mount Shasta from Castle PeakCastle Lake and Mount Shasta from Castle PeakCastle Lake and Mount Shasta from Castle PeakCastle Lake and Mount Shasta from Castle PeakCastle Lake and Mount Shasta from Castle PeakCastle Lake and Mount Shasta from Castle PeakCastle Lake and Mount Shasta from Castle PeakMount ShastaCastle PeakCastle Peak Shasta-Trinity National ForestCastle Peak Shasta-Trinity National ForestCastle PeakCastle PeakCastle Crags Shasta-Trinity NFCastle Crags Shasta-Trinity NFCastle Crags Shasta-Trinity National ForestCastle CragsCastle Crags Shasta-Trinity National ForestCastle CragsCastle CragsCastle CragsTufted Phlox WildflowerCastle Lake and Mount ShastaCastle Lake and Mount ShastaCastle Peak HikeCastle Peak HikeHeart LakeCastle Crags Shasta-Trinity NFCastle Crags Shasta-Trinity NFCastle Crags Shasta-Trinity NFCastle Peak HikeCastle Lake and Mount ShastaCastle Lake and Black ButteCastle Peak RouteCastle Peak HikeCastle Peak HikeCastle Peak RouteCastle Peak, Mount Shasta, and Black ButteCastle Peak, Mount Shasta, and Black ButteCastle Peak, Mount Shasta, and Black ButteCastle Peak HikeMount Shasta ViewMount Shasta Heart Lake Trail

These photos were taken in June of 2016. Click to enlarge.
Nearby Trails
Heart Lake and Little Castle Lake Heart Lake and Little Castle Lake
This 2 to 3-mile hike visits lakes in a beautiful area of Shasta-Trinity National Forest, including the charming-contoured waters of Heart Lake.
Faery Falls Ney Springs Trail Faery Falls and Ney Springs
This short hike travels along a creek up to an impressive 50-foot waterfall, passing the ruins of an old resort along the way.
Lake Siskiyou Trail Lake Siskiyou Trail (South Shore Loop)
This short and easy lakefront loop offers great views across Lake Siskiyou toward Mount Shasta and the surrounding evergreen wilderness.
Spring Hill Trail Spring Hill
This 2.9-mile hike hits a short summit near Mount Shasta with excellent views of Mount Shasta, Black Butte, and the surroundings.
Crags Trail Castle Dome Crags Trail to Castle Dome
This 5.6-mile round trip hike in Castle Crags State Park ascends 2,150-feet through a garden of granite crags to the base of Castle Dome. This hike can be extended to 6 miles round trip by taking a worthy side trail to Indian Springs.
Root Creek Trail Castle Crags Root Creek Trail
This 2.2-mile round trip hike in Castle Crags State Park takes a level and easy course to a tumbling creek in a mossy forest.
Vista Point Castle Crags Vista Point Trail
This short hike reaches the principal viewpoint in Castle Crags State Park, which has a great perspective of granite peaks known as the Castle Crags, along with views of Mount Shasta and the surrounding wilderness.
Hedge Creek Falls Trail Hedge Creek Falls Trail
This short hike leads to a forest-wrapped waterfall, passing behind the falls to arrive at a Sacramento River Overlook.
Bailey Cove Trail Bailey Cove Trail
This easy 3.1-mile loop circles a hill-covered peninsula on the McCloud Arm of Shasta Lake, providing both lake views and shade.
Hike Northern California More hikes in Northern California
Explore more trails in Northern California, including redwood grove and oceanfront parks along the North Coast.
Nearby Camping
Castle Crags State Park Camping Castle Crags State Park Campground
There are 76 developed campsites within this state park that are nestled within a pine forest with access to nearby trails.
Castle Crags State Park Camping Antlers Campground
This well-shaded 59-site campground in Shasta-Trinity National Forest has level sites on a bluff next to Shasta Lake.
Castle Lake Camping Castle Lake Campground
This six-site campground in Castle Lake is shaded by conifers in Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
OK! Add to trails I’ve hiked
OK! Add to trails I want to hike
Tagged with · Klamath Mountains · Lakes · Shasta-Trinity National Forest
Distance: 3.2 miles · Elevation change: 1180 feet

Ask a question or share your experience

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Go the extra miles...
Submit a rating of this hike to go with your comment. Contribute to the average trail rating.

2 Comments on Castle Peak and Heart Lake in Shasta-Trinity National Forest

  1. Josh Auerbach wrote:

    Is this trail still accessible?

  2. Philip Sigler wrote:

    My wife and I are not great route-finders. The part of the hike up to Heart Lake looks pretty straightforward but the loop up and around Castle Peak is probably not well-marked. Is there a way to download a gps, gpx, or similar version of the Castle Peak loop portion of the hike? We usually use Gaiagps.com and have the ability to download a gpx file to our Gaia app.
    Thank you for your great website and your assistance.
    Philip