Broken Hill Trail

Broken Hill Trail is the longest trail in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, about 1.3 miles to the beach by the South Fork or 1.4 miles by the North Fork. It crosses chaparral and sagebrush to a scenic overlook of eroding sandstone and joins the Beach Trail just above Flat Rock. State Parks calls it the less crowded way to the beach. It is closed until about March 1, 2027.

The Two Forks

Both forks end at the Beach Trail just above Flat Rock. The State Parks brochure says the North Fork passes an "elfin forest" of dense, low chaparral. The trail has few trees; this is the open, scrubby side of the reserve.

Broken Hill Overlook

The overlook looks across Broken Hill, a slope of eroding, layered sandstone. The State Parks trail guide pictures the view from here.

Accessible South Fork

State Parks rates the South Broken Hill Trail as accessible as far as the overlook: 0.88 mile each way along an old road through coastal brush near the golf course. The surface is gravel, asphalt and wood, mostly under a 5% grade, with some stretches of 5% to 8% and one 15-foot section at 10%. Parking and restrooms in the west lot are generally accessible.

Tide and Rain

Below Flat Rock, the beach is impassable two to three hours either side of high tide. Broken Hill is also one of the trails State Parks closes after rain.

Good For / Maybe Skip If

Good for: a longer, quieter route to the beach, and wheelchair users who want an ocean overlook.

Maybe skip if: you came for the pines themselves; the State Parks trail guide calls the Guy Fleming Trail forested.