Cairn-making is a surprisingly meditative exercise that can bring people closer to the earth. Whether you’re making a traditional rock cairn or a creative stack of rocks, it’s a way to take your mind off the everyday and focus on balance and permanence.

Throughout history, cairns were used by different cultures for a wide range of purposes. They were used to mark a route or indicate a food source. In North America, Native American peoples also used cairns as burial sites, a practice called inukshuk.

The word “cairn” comes from the Gaelic for “heap of stone”. They are usually constructed in the form a hill. They range in size from small rock sculptures to large man-made hills of stone, some of which are comparable to kistvaens and dolmens but built of stone rather than ephemeral earthworks.

Cairns are used by many people, but they her latest blog are most commonly used by hikers. They can guide hikers home after a long day’s hiking, or help them navigate in remote areas.

A well-placed cairn can save lives and can help guide a group of hikers who are lost or have difficulty locating their trail path. Some people claim cairns are not part of the natural environment and that they violate Leave No Trace.