Pu'u Pehe: Hiking Lanai's Sweetheart Rock
- Stephen Warner
- Nov 25, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 3
A short and simple hike near the stunning (and very spendy) Four Seasons Resort, this trail gives you a gorgeous vantage of Lanai’s southern coastline. Just stroll along the beach, hike up a mellow bluff, and soak in the views. It’s a perfect choice for sunrise or sunset!
Trail Info
Trailhead Name | Pu'u Pehe |
Distance | 1 mile / 1.6 km (out and back) |
Estimated time | <1 hour |
Elevation gain | 100 ft / 30 m |
Highest point | 100 ft / 30 m (Pu'u Pehe) |
Permits / fees | None |
Parking | Hulopo'e Beach Park lot |
Toilets? | At beach park |
Dog friendly? | Yes |
Know before you go
There are steep drop-offs at the top of the cliff. While the trail doesn’t bring you right to the edge, keep a close eye on kids and pets. The top of Sweetheart Rock rises about 100 feet above the ocean.
Scrambling down to the beach below Puʻu Pehe is possible but optional. It's not a swimming beach, but there are some cool pukas (rock holes) and sea caverns down there worth checking out.
Wear closed-toed shoes, especially if you're planning to explore the rocky areas or scramble down. The trail is mellow, but the rocks can be slick and sharp. Maybe leave the slippahs in the car.
Other trails nearby
Distance: 2 miles (3.2 km)
Elevation gain: Negligible
Details: Shoreline trail that heads west from the same area and winds along the coast; great way to see more of Lanai’s rugged beauty from a different angle.
The Trail
Our journey started from the lovely Hulopoʻe Beach. Since we were staying at the Four Seasons, we just walked out of our room and onto the trail. Not bad. Unfortunately, lodging on Lanai is… limited. And expensive. So if you want to visit here, start saving—or find a way to become friends with Larry Ellison.
If you're starting from the beach park parking lot, look for a sandy/rocky path on the left side of the beach. This is as tricky as the trail gets navigation-wise.
Within a few minutes, you’ll reach Puʻu Pehe. According to legend, a man named Makakehau from Lanai fell in love with a beautiful maiden named Pehe from Lahaina. He kept her hidden in a sea cave near the rock, but while he was away gathering supplies, a sudden storm came in and she drowned. Grief-stricken, Makakehau carried her body to the top of the rock, buried her there, and then leapt to his own death.
Romantic? Hmm. Not really. But definitely memorable. From here, you can either scramble down to the beach or head up the short trail to the top of the bluff.
We opted to scramble down to the beach. Not ideal for swimming, but the tide pools and little pukas made for a fun side adventure and some great photo ops.
After exploring the beach, we climbed to the top. The views up here are incredible. It makes for an ideal place to catch either sunrise or sunset. Look east and you’ll see Maui across the channel.
And west, you’ll get panoramic views of Hulopoʻe Bay and beyond. Not a bad little adventure steps from our hotel room. Now it's time for some overpriced resort food!
SS Reflections
My one and only trip to Lanai was a “maximize everything” kind of mission. We only stayed one night, so I made it my goal to hit every hike I could. That way, I wouldn’t feel the need to come back.
This hike ended up being my favorite. Part of it was convenience—we could walk right to it. But more than that, it was the views. From the top of the cliff, watching sunrise and sunset on back-to-back trips, I saw how light transforms this place.
I don’t know if I’ll ever return to Lanai. But this hike reminded me that every Hawaiian island has its own unique kind of beauty. And this little adventure captured Lanai’s.