Home ⎜ Hikes & Wanderings  ⎜ California ⎜ Broken Hill Trail

This is a beach to cliff loop that begins at Carmel Valley Road, winds down the beach and before climbing the Broken Hill Trail. It then continues down the Torrey Pines Park Road to the Guy Fleming Trail where it takes the loop trail and then continues downhill back to the beach and Carmel Valley Road.

Distance: 7 miles

Time: 3.5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation Gain: 350 feet

Dog Friendly: Unfortunately, no.

Trailhead Directions: Take the Genessee Avenue exit from I-5 and follow signs for Torrey Pines. At the intersection of North Torrey Pines Road and Genesee, stay to the right and continue for 3.7 miles to Carmel Valley Road and make a sharp right. Continue down the hill and find roadside parking along Carmel Valley Road near McGonigle Road.

Hike Directions: From the intersection of Caramel Valley Road and McGonigle Road (across the street from the Del Mar Scenic Parkway), take McGonigle Road to its end at the beach parking area for Torrey Pines State Beach. Continue onto the beach and walk to the left toward the cliffs of Torrey Pines State Park. Walk along the beach for 0.7 miles before passing a second beach parking lot area at the foot of the cliffs. Continue along the beach for another 0.7 miles to Flat Rock, a large prominence that juts out into the Pacific Ocean at the north end of Black’s Beach. Here you’ll find the western terminus of the Broken Hill Trail. The trail first ascends the cliffs along steps, and then via gentle and sandy switchbacks. Continue uphill for 1.5 miles along the Broken Hill Trail, and take care to look behind you as the ocean glistens below. At the top of the cliffs you’ll find yourself across the way from the Torrey Pines Golf Course. Take a narrower trail on your right to the broken sandstone hills that gave Broken Hill Trail its name. Continue back to the main trail and go right as you continue along a flat trail to the Torrey Pines Park Road. Turn left at the park road and walk downhill for 1 mile to the Guy Fleming Trail, a fun loop trail that appears on the left. At only 0.75 miles, its an easy and scenic departure from the asphalt Torrey Pines Road. The loop offers views of Torrey Pines State Beach, Del Mar and the interior of Penasquitos Lagoon. After completing the loop, continue downhill on the Torrey Pines Park Road, back to beach level. Walk along the beach and turn right at the North Parking Lot off McGonigle Road. Continue along McGonigle Road to Carmel Valley Road and your car.

Scenery: 9/10