Broken Hill Trail

The Broken Hill Trail is the most extensive hiking route within Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, offering a rewarding 2.5-mile loop through a varied landscape that encompasses eroded sandstone badlands, coastal chaparral, rare Torrey pine forest, and access to the spectacular beach canyon below. The trail is named for the dramatically eroded terrain of Broken Hill, a section of the reserve where centuries of wind and rain have carved the soft Del Mar sandstone into a rugged, deeply furrowed landscape of gullies, ridges, and exposed cliff faces.

The route traverses the full width of the reserve, providing hikers with a comprehensive experience of the diverse habitats and geological features that make Torrey Pines one of the most ecologically significant protected areas in coastal Southern California. Views from various points along the trail encompass the Pacific Ocean, Penasquitos Lagoon, Los Peñasquitos Canyon, and the broader coastal landscape stretching north and south along the San Diego County shoreline.

At the southern end of the loop, a spur trail descends steeply to the beach via Beach Trail, providing access to Torrey Pines State Beach and the opportunity to explore the base of the remarkable sandstone cliffs from sea level. The loop gains 300 feet of elevation on a well-marked but sometimes steep path. The $25 per vehicle reserve entry fee applies. Dogs are not permitted in the reserve. Hikers should wear sturdy footwear suitable for the sandy and sandstone terrain and bring adequate water.