ALOHA!
So one of THE famous icons of Lanai is what is called Sweetheart Rock!
This also makes it one of the most popular things to do in Lanai.
To get to Lanai’s Sweetheart Rock (also called Puupehe or Puu Pehe), you’ll take the Puu Pehe Trail that goes right along the coastline the entire time.
This also means ocean views the whole way!
This also makes it one of the best hikes on Lanai!
Your “destination” will be Sweetheart Rock, where you’ll also see Sharks Bay from above!
Day trip to Sweetheart Rock
And if you’re taking the Lanai ferry over from Maui for the day, it’s also easy to make a part of your day trip to Lanai.
The “trailhead” for the Puu Pehe Trail is located about a 10 minute walk from Manele Harbor, which is where you’ll arrive by ferry.
This is one of the Lanai hiking trails that you can start from Hulopoe Beach.
Hulopoe Beach is THE main beach of Lanai.
The hiking trails that start from Hulopoe Beach are the Puu Pehe Trail on one side, and the Fishermans Trail on the other side.
👆 This is Hulopoe Beach. You will start the hike to Sweetheart Rock from one end of Hulopoe Beach.
👆 This is a view of Hulopoe Beach as seen from near the start of the Puu Pehe Trail.
Perfect sunrise spot on Lanai?!
If you are staying overnight on Lanai, then the Sweetheart Rock viewpoint can also make for a perfect spot to watch the sunrise on Lanai!
This means that if you’re staying at the Four Seasons Lanai located right next to Hulopoe Beach, or if you’re staying at Hulopoe Beach campground, the Puu Pehe Trail can make for the perfect early morning walk!
More below of what you can see while hiking the Puu Pehe Trail!
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Hiking the Puu Pehe Trail to see Sweetheart Rock and Sharks Bay
So once again, the Puu Pehe Trail to Sweetheart Rock starts near Hulopoe Beach.
Once you’re at Hulopoe Beach, it won’t be difficult to find the Puu Pehe trailhead.
The trail is also straightforward so you shouldn’t have trouble getting to the Sweetheart Rock overlook.
Puu Pehe trailhead
You’ll look for the start of the trail to Sweetheart Rock over on the left side of the beach as you’re facing the ocean.
This is the opposite site of the Four Seasons.
Then, you’ll start walking on the trail!
You’ll be walking along the coast with views of Hulopoe Bay.
Hulopoe Bay tidepools
After around 5 minutes (or less) of walking on the trail, you will come across the Hulopoe Bay tide pools!
You will know where they are because you’ll see stairs that lead down to the tide pools as you are walking on the Puu Pehe Trail.
These are known as the Lanai tide pools that can be relatively safe for swimming.
It’s the ocean, so there’s always a risk!
This can also be perfect to stop by on your way back from your hike as a post-hike activity!
Continue hiking along Hulopoe Bay to Uolokeahi Point
More coastal views of Hulopoe Bay!
And then maybe you will walk for another 5-10 minutes and you will start getting close to Uolokeahi Point!
Walk around the Uolokeahi Point overlook!
You will be standing on top of a cliff so you can see grand views from above!
To your right you will see Hulopoe Bay, out front you will see the vast ocean, and off to the left you will see Sharks Bay and Sweetheart Rock!
Once you have taken in the views at Uolokeahi Point, you can continue on the trail to the Puupuehe overlook to see Sweetheart Rock right in front of you!
Maybe this will take another 10-15 minutes to get to your final destination.
The final path to the Sweetheart Rock overlook with views of Sharks Bay
Yes it’s possible to get down to Sharks Bay beach. There are 2 main ways to get there, and it’s a bit of a more difficult terrain whichever path you choose. Either way has potential to be dangerous. Take care! See details here.
And then…
You have made it to the Puupehe Overlook aka Sweetheart Rock overlook!
And then after you’ve taken in the views…
You can head back and see your final views of Sharks Bay as you go back to Hulopoe Beach!
And back along Hulopoe Bay you go!
And so, how long the Puu Pehe Trail will take for you will entirely depend on how long you stop to take in the views, but you might give yourself about an 1.5 hours to finish the hike (there and back), although it is very possible to be faster than that.
At minimum, maybe give yourself an hour!
And if you’re up for more coastal hiking when you get back to Hulopoe Beach, you can walk across the beach to go to the other side of Hulopoe Bay to start hiking the Fishermans Trail!
And that’s a bit about the famous rock in Lanai!
See more of Lanai:
And if you’re coming from Maui, then be sure to also see:
- Pictures of ferry from Maui to Lanai
- Pictures of ferry from Lanai to Maui
- Lahaina without a car
- The best of West Maui
- The famous heart rock of Maui that’s no more
HAPPY HIKING THE PUUPEHE TRAIL TO SEE THE SWEETHEART ROCK!
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