Sculpted by the elements, balancing rocks are naturally occurring geological formations featuring large rocks or boulders resting on other rocks, bedrock or on glacial till. Many of them are precariously balanced, as if refusing to give in to gravity, making them some of the world's most mysterious natural wonders. Here, we look at amazing balancing rocks you have to see.
(MORE: World's Strangest Natural Wonders)
1. Balanced Rock, Arches National Park, Utah
One of the most popular features of Arches National Park, located in Grand County, Utah, Balanced Rock has a total height of about 128 feet. The big rock, a red sandstone landform which has eroded over millions of years, is perched seemingly precariously on top and said to be the the size of three school buses. A smalled balanced rock called "Chip Off the Old Block" used to stand next to Balanced Rock, but it fell during the winter of 1975/1976. A short loop hiking trail, the Balanced Rock Trail, takes visitors to the landmark.
2. Balanced Rock (Window Rock), Big Bend National Park, Texas
Big Bend National Park in Texas is one of the country's lesser known national parks, but it actually has a lot to offer the adventurous traveler. Visitors and hikers to the Grapevine Hills will find Balanced Rock, an east-west window created by an Econoline-size boulder that's poised atop two stone pillars. The Grapevine Hills Trail is an easy, 2.2-mile (round-trip) hike. The area is dotted with several giant, rounded boulders that may be tempting to climb, but the National Park Service warns hikers to look out for snakes.
3. Krishna's Butterball, Tamil Nadu, India
4. Big Balanced Rock, Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona
Known as the "Wonderland of Rocks," Arizona's Chiricahua National Monument is home to several geologic formations, such as hoodoos and balanced rocks, one of which is the famous 25ft-tall, 1,000-ton Big Balanced Rock, which looks as if it's ready to topple at any time. The rock is accessible via a hiking trail.
5. Karlu Karlu/Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve, Australia
Located in Northern Territory, Australia, Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve is home to "Devils Marbles," boulders that are naturally but precariously balanced atop one another or on larger rock formations. The Warumungu, Kaytetye, Alyawarra and Warlpiri people call Devils Marbles "Karlu Karlu," which literally translates as "round boulders." Formed by erosion over millions of years, the Devils Marbles are made of granite, which surfaces like an island in the desert, and are found in scattered groups mainly in the western side of the reserve. At sunrise and sunset, the boulders appear to glow and change color, from pink to bright red, similar to the other geological wonders in Australia's Northern Territory, Uluru and Kata Tjuta, according to Tourism Australia.
6. El Tornillo (The Screw), El Torcal Nature Reserve, Spain
Within the Torcal de Antequera Natural Area in Andalucia, Spain are marine sediments which have been gradually and constantly eroded by rain, wind and ice for millions of years. The result is an amazing city of stone, with labyrinthine walkways, caves and weird and wonderful rock formations, such as the protected geological feature, the Tornillo del Torcal (Screw of the Torcal). The amazing rock formation's name comes from its distinctive appearance, as its limestone layers have been eroded making them look like the threads twisting around a screw.
7. Balancing Rocks, Epworth, Zimbabwe
Balancing Rocks are found in many parts of Zimbabwe, but the most famous are the huge, granite rocks of Epworth, which were featured prominently in the design of Zimbabwe's bank notes. And they weren't just any bank note, the Epworth Balancing Rocks were depicted in the one hundred trillion Zimbabwe Dollar note issued in 2008, the world’s highest denomination note. Visitors to the area can also see ancient rock art sites of the San, the indigenous people of southern Africa.
8. Kyaiktiyo Pagoda (Golden Rock Pagoda), Myanmar
A well-known Buddhist pilgrimage site in Myanmar, Kyaiktiyo Pagoda is built on the top of a granite boulder on Mt. Kyaiktiyo, and located 3,615 feet above sea level. The amazing boulder, covered with gold leaves glued on by devotees, seems to defy gravity, as it's precariously erched on a tabular rock and appears to be on the verge of rolling down the hill. According to legend, the Golden Rock itself is precariously perched on a strand of the Buddha's hair, given to a hermit by the Buddha himself. It is said that by gently rocking the boulder, a thread can be passed through between the Golden Rock and the rock table. When viewed from a certain angle, this separation can be appreciated by virtue of a thin beam of daylight shining through.
9. Kjeragbolten, Norway
Located on the edge of the Kjerag mountain in southern Norway, Kjeragbolten is a boulder wedged in a mountain crevasse, 3,500ft above sea level. It's a popular spot with thrill-seeking travelers who venture onto the boulder, with arms in the air, for the perfect, nail-biting vacation photo. The boulder is also a popular launching point for BASE jumpers, according to Atlas Obscura.
10. Mother and Child Balancing Rocks, Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe
The "Mother and Child" granite balancing rocks, weathered into fantastic shapes, are a well-known feature in Matobo National Park, in the Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe.
11. Mexican Hat Rock, Utah
Located in San Juan County, Utah, the Mexican Hat Rock is a sombrero-shaped, 60ft wide by 12ft thick, rock outcropping.
12. Balanced Rock, Queen Charlotte Islands, Canada
A large boulder left behind from the glacial retreat of the ice age, Balanced Rock sits perfectly suspended on another rock's pointed head, guarding the shores of Skidegate, Graham Island in Canada's Queen Charlotte Islands.
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