The loop starts at Funayama Car park and heads south along the blazed trails to Tennyosan (at the base of Gongen Mountain) here the trail passes the southern end of Yatsugataki and heads north, the climb then begins firstly up Akadake then across to Amida and down back to the car park.

The Castle Dome of Castle Crags State Park is a must do hike/run/scramble for anyone that visits the area.  Sitting at the top of the Park's Dome Trail, this granite dome offers one of Northern California's premiere scrambles as well as some great moderate rock routes, including great views of the surrounding granite formations and a full panorama of Northern Californias 14,127 foot Mt. Shasta.  Starting around 2,600 feet above sea level, the summit of Castle Dome stands at around 5,000 feet offering an overall elevation gain of roughly 2,400 feet in less than two and a half miles.