Cairn making is a surprisingly meditative activity that can bring you closer to the earth and your community. You can make a traditional rock pile or a creative stack to help you focus on balance, permanence and harmony.
Various cultures have used cairns for many purposes throughout history. They may have been used to mark out a route, to indicate food sources, or to warn people of danger. In North America Native Americans also made cairns to serve as burial places, a tradition known as inukshuk.
The word “cairn” comes from the Gaelic for “heap of stone”. They are usually constructed in the form a hill. They can be small rock sculptures or large man-made stones hills.
Cairns have many uses, especially for hikers. They can be used to guide hikers back to the trailhead after a tough day of hiking, or to aid them in finding their way in remote areas of wilderness.
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, however, argue that cairns don’t belong in nature and violate the Leave No Trace principle.
