Filiorum & Portuguese Bend Loop

Dogs Leashed

Features Views · Wildlife

This hike provides a great taste of what the Filiorum and Portuguese Bend has to offer. Ocean views, dense vegetation, and some moderate climbing!

The reserves close after any rainfall. Check the current status on rpvca.gov

Park near Del Cerro Park by the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve. Hike north on the sidewalk along Crenshaw a short distance before entering a private neighborhood on the left. Make a left on San Clemente Drive followed shortly by a right on Santa Catalina Dr. Follow the road until the cul-de-sac, and there will be a gate adjacent to a house on the right that leads into Filiorum Reserve.

Take an immediate right ontothe singletrack trail that will lead onto a cliffside McBride Trail. Enjoy the ocean views to the left and the big houses on the right. Eventually, you'll take a short downhill and there will be a hairpin turn onto a trail descending to the left into the reserve.

At the bottom, take Zote's Cutacross to the left. This trail has two steep sections that traverse two drainages (note the walk-your-bike signs). After the second drainage, turn right and follow the trail alongside the drainage until you encounter a fence line. Stay along this fence, and you'll come across the Eucalyptus Trail. This is a lovely section of forested trail that is well-shaded. After the Eucalyptus Trail make a right on Gary's Gulch Trail and follow it to a left on Vanderlip Trail. This is a steep rutted uphill but before you get too far make a quick right onto Kubota Trail. This is a fairly level section but can have heavy vegetation encroaching on the singletrack. Take the first left and after another short, steep uphill you'll reach the Burma Road Trail.

Burma Road Trail is a wide open fire road that goes uphill gradually. Go left (uphill), and you'll connect with a singletrack on the right called Eagle's Nest Trail. This makes two big switchbacks up the hill and comes to a nice lookout point with a bench. Take a quick rest and enjoy the views! Next meet up with the Burma Road Trail and finish the winding uphill that should take you back to the end at Del Cerro Park.

Note that this route can typically be cut short by heading left and uphill along the network of trails. Rattlesnake Trail and Burma Fire Road are both easier/more direct return routes if necessary.