Text and photography copyright 2011 by David W. Lockeretz, all rights reserved. Information and opinions provided are kept current to the best of the author’s ability. All readers hike at their own risk, and should be aware of the possible dangers of hiking, walking and other outdoor activities. The author does not take any responsibility for injuries sustained during hikes or walks on the routes described here. Check the informational links provided for up to date trail condition information.
Frascati Trail
- Location: Rancho Palos Verdes. From the south end of the 110 freeway, take a left on Gaffey St. and go 0.7 miles. Turn right on 9th st and go 2.7 miles (9th becomes Miraleste on the way). Turn left on Palos Verdes Drive East and go 0.3 miles to Corsini Place. Turn left and park on the corner of Corsini and Palos Verdes Drive East.
- Agency: Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy
- Distance: 0.7 miles
- Elevation gain: 250 feet
- Difficulty Rating: G
- Suggested time: 30 minutes
- Best season: Year-round (best after recent rains)
- USGS topo map: San Pedro Hills
- More information: here
- Rating: 4
It’s very easy to miss the Frascati Trail, but if you’re looking for a nice, secluded hike on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, this one is well worth checking out. Although it’s short, the trail offers a wide variety of scenery, including ocean views, a shady canyon – and waterfall.
From the corner of Corsini, walk left on Palos Verdes Drive East and pick up the signed Frascati Trail. It descends with nice views of the ocean to the left, and soon you enter a wooded area where the trail makes a hairpin turn to the left. Here, you can scramble a little ways off the trail and see a small waterfall (be careful on the rocks).
Past the waterfall, the trail continues its descent, and soon there are virtually no signs of civilization. Except for the occasional car or motorcycle on Palos Verdes Drive East, you’re likely to only hear the sound of the stream along side the trail.
The trail ends after a third of a mile at Via Colinita. Of course, I wish it were longer – but considering that three hours before I posted this entry I hadn’t even heard of the Frascati Trail, I have nothing to complain about.
The Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy runs nature walks throughout the area, and have one scheduled for October 8th, 2011. For information about that walk and other events by the PVPLC, click here.
If you turn left at via colinita and continue you will find the trailhead to the colinita trail which is .67 miles and will make the hike a bit longer. Just discovered it this past weekend! And it’s a great climb if you want to get some good excercise. At the top of colinita you will end up turning right and walking up the road for a while until you hit PV Drive East. If you turn right and go down the road a way you will eventually hit the beginning of the frascati trail again.