Shipwreck Trail is a 4.6 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Palos Verdes Peninsula, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking and nature trips and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
This is a rocky hike along the beach to a shipwreck site. Although the hike is near the road, it has great views. Wear sturdy shoes. Great ocean views, lovely bays, exciting shipwreck to explore, rocky shoreline.
April 11, 2021This is not a pleasant hike. Sure, there is the ocean and the beachside weather, but it’s difficult to pay attention to that when you need to negotiate every step across the rockiest beach in all Southern California. If you choose to hike this trail, be prepared. Wear appropriate shoes. No Birkenstocks, no flip flops, no streetwear, no clown shoes. Wear hiking shoes or trailrunners; something with ankle stability to avoid injury. I nearly rolled my ankle on an unstable rock on this one. I respect the difficulty of this trail. The jagged, unstable rocks are evidence of how difficult nature really is. The famous shipwreck deep into this trail demonstrates man’s folly for not respecting this Nature. The trail seems otherworldly in a negative way: It saddens me to see so much of the wreckage, detritus and garbage along this trail—it must be difficult to maintain due to rocky terrain. I didn’t see many hikers during this hike—just fishermen, surfers and local teenagers looking for hormonal seclusion. I regret not being able to complete the entire length of the trail, but given the monotony of the rocky walk and limited daylight left, I needed to turn around.
April 10, 2021It smells really bad
March 21, 2021great walk! be careful with the rocks they can hurt!
March 14, 2021Way too rocky, views beautiful at beginning but 99% of the time you’re looking at your feet trying to make sure you don’t step on a loose rock or trash. Trail at the cove 2ish mi in and just walk the street back to the entrance. Dirty, rocky, smelly, buggy, not worth it. Don’t waste your precious beautiful weekend
March 8, 2021For most of the trail there is no elevation gains except the beginning and return. The difficulty comes with the terrain. Not a sandy beach hike at all. Very large rocks for the entirety of the trail. Concentration is key throughout the hike, if you don't want to fall on loose rocks like I did. Best to stop if you want to enjoy the views before starting up again. Good to say you completed it, but wouldn't be a hike I would on the regular. Wear hiking shoes and lace them tight. Your feet moving around in your shoes are a recipe for blisters and slipping on the rocks...dang rocks...haha
March 7, 2021Very very rocky, not kid - friendly. The rocks are terrible to walk on and twisted ankles!! Plus you can barely see the ship wreck! Do not go!
February 21, 2021February 13, 2021Good views but a lot of bugs once you get down to the beach.
February 13, 2021February 11, 2021Obviously there’s so much beauty around you! I am terrified of heights... TERRIFIED and when you first walk down there’s a step downhill slope. Ya girl was scared but i did it! There’s little trails to go down into the rocks but if you just stay on the trail, you’ll end up on the rocks anyways and it’s safer! Dogs are allowed but be mindful there’s so many rocks so take your time, wear shoes!
February 10, 2021I keep going here to see the shipwreck but can never catch it on time please tell me the best time to go so we can see it?
February 7, 2021If you don’t like rock-hopping, you’ll hate this. Granted, you’ll also hate some of the best peakbagging I’ve ever done in the West! Shoes with ankle support will be best. It’s probably worth checking a tide chart before going to not get wet or run out of options. The shipwreck is interesting but not impressive. Tons of trash everywhere: this would be a great trail to bring a trash bag on. 3.5/5 stars
February 6, 2021February 6, 2021Very Rocky probably will never do it again but I'm glad I completed it.
February 3, 2021the rocks are harsh to walk on.
January 31, 2021January 31, 2021If you're considering going on this trail, wear sturdy shoes and long socks! We encountered lots of patches of seaweed. The entire trail is on treacherous rock. Be prepared to get wet if the tide is high!
January 31, 2021Main trail to the water with small steep side trails down to the rocks/ waters as well to different rock points. Beautiful hills view
January 24, 2021This is less a trail and more a jumble of rocks just large enough to make walking very difficult. This shipwreck isn't impressive enough to warrant walking all the way out there. The wildlife was worth a trek, but I would go halfway to the wreck and head back.
January 24, 2021Beautiful ocean front, but it's not easy or even difficult for some people to walk on those rocks and muddy road.
January 24, 2021Great weather but busy. More of a rocky walk but nice day activity.
January 21, 2021Very slow going, extremely rocky, but beautiful views and cool tide pools
January 18, 2021Rocks. Rocks. Rocks. Lots of them.
January 17, 2021I mean, it’s 5 stars considering you actually finish and get to the shipwreck. Beware that it’s literally 4 miles of uneven terrain there and back. Good trail though
January 10, 2021Awesome. Easy down, much harder up. Beach is very rocky and slippery for dogs.
January 10, 2021
