Stone Stacks From Around the World in 12 Mesmerising Pictures

Despite the stone-stacking resurgence of late, the practice dates back to prehistoric Scotland, where rock cairns were used as ancient wayfinding references and spiritual markers.

Not including the traditional cairns built specifically for navigating and marking summits, trackless paths or ancient monuments (seriously, don’t touch them), a wide array of artists, creatives and zen-seekers across the world look to stone stacking as an art form. Oh, and it just so happens to be wildly therapeutic!

Many can conjure up sky-high towers, while some even concoct dramatic stone-arched bridges. Since the correct status quo is to leave no trace, these intricate sculptures usually garnish the landscapes before shifting back to their natural state.

After admiring the otherworldly creations from the 2018 European Stone Stacking Championships (Europe’s largest stacking competition) held in Dunbar near Edinburgh, we’ve put together some of the most aesthetically satisfying pictures of stone stacks from all over the world.

Whether a self-confessed stacking pro or searching for some calming material, these gravity-defying structures are everything.

Curious about stone stacking? Explore our rock cairn guide to learn all about the history and discover how to use them.