The Great Shasta Rail Trail (GSRT) follows an old railroad line that will eventually connect McCloud and Burney across 80 miles when fully completed. Right now, sections are open for hiking, biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing—which means depending on the season, you’ve got real options for how to explore this.

The Esperanza to Bartle Wye to Hambone section is your best bet from McCloud. It’s about 25.8 miles total, and the trailhead is straightforward to find: head east on Highway 89 South from downtown McCloud for five miles, then turn left on Esperanza Road and go another mile. You’ll see the trail entrance on your right. The surface is cinder, which feels good underfoot and works for most dogs. There are some rock barriers around Sheepheaven (about 8.8 miles in) and at Harris Spring Road (around 12.5 miles), but these are easy enough to walk through with a dog. Just keep in mind that motorized vehicles aren’t allowed, which means it’s genuinely quiet out here.

If you’re coming from the Burney side, the Burney to Lake Britton section—nicknamed the “Stand By Me” Bridge route—runs 9.8 miles and has its own appeal. The trailhead parking is on Black Ranch Road near Highway 299 on Burney’s east side. You’ll park in the large area between the fenced building and two power poles. This section takes you toward that iconic bridge and follows the old railroad grade through quieter terrain.

The trail sits at elevation in Siskiyou County, so weather changes quickly—bring layers. The cinder surface can get dusty and reflects heat on hot days, so early morning hikes work better in summer. Over 50 miles still need to be developed, but what’s open now gives you a real sense of what this project will eventually become: a substantial recreation corridor through some genuinely remote country. The historic railroad route means you’re walking where trains once ran, which adds a certain character to the experience.