10 Amazing Natural Rock Formations Around The World

Earth is a truly incredible place. It’s not just the only planet we know of that can support life, but it’s also constantly reshaping itself. While around 71% of our planet is covered in water, the rest features stunning landscapes, including mountains, forests, and, of course, natural rock formations.

These natural formations are sculpted over millions of years by the relentless forces of wind and water, resulting in weird and wonderful masterpieces. Some of these formations resemble familiar objects, while others are abstract enough to ignite the imagination. Here are 10 rock formations around the world that are absolutely worth a visit.

Princess of Hope, Pakistan

Located in Hingol National Park in Balochistan, Pakistan, the Princess of Hope rock formation appears as if it was carved by human hands. However, this impressive structure is a fairy chimney, formed over 750 years by heavy rainfall and strong winds from the Arabian Sea.

Many believe the rock resembles a young woman gazing towards the horizon, draped in a long, flowing skirt. Angelina Jolie, after visiting the park in 2002, named this stunning formation the Princess of Hope, mesmerized by its beauty.

Near the Princess stands another remarkable rock formation shaped like a sphinx. While most scientists attribute its form to natural erosion, some propose that it was intentionally carved to guard the remains of a Hindu temple.

Elephant Rock, Iceland

Guarding the coast of Heimaey, Iceland, Elephant Rock stands tall in the ocean. This rock formation strikingly resembles an elephant’s head, complete with a trunk dipping into the water.

While some doubt that Elephant Rock is a natural formation due to the basalt rock’s color, experts believe it and other formations on Heimaey are the result of eruptions from the Eldfell volcano.

Interestingly, from a certain angle, some people see the features of Cthulhu, a monstrous character created by H.P. Lovecraft, instead of an elephant. Regardless, the waters around Elephant Rock are teeming with marine life, including orcas and dolphins. Heimaey is also home to the largest puffin population on Earth, making it a must-visit destination.

Wave Rock, Australia

Australia is home to unique rock formations, including the Sawn Rocks in Mount Kaputar National Park, which resemble giant organ pipes, and the otherworldly Pinnacles. Among these is Wave Rock, a 50-foot (15-meter) tall natural wonder of great cultural importance to the Ballardong people.

Local tribes believe that Wave Rock was created by the Rainbow Serpent, resembling a breaking ocean wave. Legend says the serpent drank all the water in the area and then dragged its body toward the waterhole, forming Wave Rock in its wake.

Located in the Golden Outback, Wave Rock is over 2.6 billion years old. Its yellow, grey, and red stripes are the result of carbonates and iron hydroxide washed down the slope during rainfall.

Bucegi Sphinx, Romania

The Bucegi Sphinx, found in Romania’s Bucegi Mountains, has a rather eerie appearance. Some believe aliens shaped this rock, but scientists have confirmed that wind erosion carved its human-like face over time.

First photographed in 1900, it only received its nickname 35 years later. The sphinx shape isn’t visible from all angles, becoming clear only from a specific sideways perspective.

This “shape-shifting” has led to many theories, including that it predates the Egyptian Sphinx. Others claim a time tunnel or “energy corridor” exists between the two sphinxes. On November 28, the setting sun forms an energy pyramid over the Bucegi Sphinx, drawing crowds seeking to absorb this energy.

Shiprock, New Mexico

Shiprock in New Mexico is a sacred and dramatic landmark located on Navajo Nation land. Rising from a barren desert, it is the remnant of a volcanic eruption from over 30 million years ago.

In Navajo, the rock is called Tsé Bitʼaʼí, meaning “winged rock.” This formation holds a significant place in Navajo mythology. One legend tells of the rock as a giant bird that transported the Navajo from the northlands to the Four Corners.

The legend continues that when the ancient Navajos were fleeing from another tribe, their shamans prayed for help. The ground transformed into a giant bird, carrying them to safety. The bird landed where Shiprock now stands, but it was soon attacked by a dragon-like creature called Cliff Monster.

Monster Slayer came to their aid, defeating Cliff Monster and turning the injured bird into stone to preserve it. Today, Shiprock resembles a massive bird with folded wings, or a 19th-century clipper ship, hence its English name.

Kilt Rock, Scotland

What are the odds that a rock formation in Scotland would resemble a kilt? The 195-foot (90-meter) high basalt and dolerite Kilt Rock on the Isle of Skye is a geological wonder.

Formed by volcanic activity over millions of years, the hexagonal rock columns look like the pleats of a kilt. The nearby 197-foot (60-meter) Mealt Falls, which plunges directly into the Sound of Raasay, adds to the stunning view.

The Isle of Skye also features the Old Man of Storr, a 180-foot (55-meter) high basalt rock formation believed to be the thumb of an ancient giant. According to legend, it’s all that remained of the giant as the ground swallowed him up.

Old Harry Rocks, England

The Old Harry Rocks near Dorset are an unforgettable sight. Legend says these chalk sea stacks once served as a bed for Old Nick (Old Harry). Another story attributes the name to pirate Harry Paye, who supposedly used the rocks to hide his ship and ambush merchant vessels.

These formations mark the end of the Jurassic Coast, dating back 65 million years. During World War II, pilots even used them for target practice.

The most prominent stack is Old Harry, while another, Old Harry’s Wife, collapsed in 1896. Eventually, Old Harry will also collapse, leaving only a stump behind.

Seven Strong Men, Russia

The Manpupuner rock formations, or Seven Strong Men, stand on the Man-Pupu-nyor mountain in Russia’s Pechora-Ilych Nature Reserve. Snow, frost, heat, and wind eroded former mountain ranges to create these massive stone pillars. Six of the pillars stand at the edge of a cliff, while one stands apart.

These formations resemble the Easter Island Moai, giving off a vibe of a mysterious civilization. Some link them to the Arctic Circle, while local legends speak of spirits gathering here thousands of years ago.

The Mansi tribe considers the ground sacred. Because the rocks sometimes make unexplained sounds, some believe they are the remains of Samoyed giants who wanted to destroy the Mansi. Legend says their shaman dropped his drum in fear, which formed a conical mountain, and the giants turned to stone.

Pulpit Rock, Norway

Norway is home to several incredible rock formations, like Trolltunga and Kjerag. Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) towers above the Lysefjord at a steep 90-degree angle. The cliff is over 1,968 feet (600 meters) high, offering a dizzying view.

Thomas Peter Randulf spotted this inspiring formation in 1896 while cruising the fjord. He hiked to the top with his friend Ole Hausken, taking several days with the help of locals.

By the turn of the 20th century, Pulpit Rock became a tourist destination. Today, it is one of Norway’s most popular hiking spots and a celebrated symbol of the country’s wilderness.

The White Desert, Egypt

Egypt’s White Desert National Park is filled with unique chalk and limestone rock formations shaped by sand and wind erosion. The best time to visit is at dawn or sunset, when the rocks take on fantastical shapes, colored in pink and orange hues.

Some rocks resemble chess pieces or igloos, while under a full moon, they appear ghostly white, with shapes resembling camels or human faces. During the Cretaceous period, a shallow sea covered the White Desert, depositing the chalk and limestone layers that form the rocks.

As the sea receded, it exposed these rocks, which are still being eroded by sandstorms. Beneath the sand lie seashells and fossils of prehistoric marine creatures. The Egyptian government and conservation groups work to preserve this historical wonder, ensuring its beauty for future generations.

These natural rock formations offer a glimpse into the Earth’s geological history and the powerful forces that shape our planet. Each site tells a unique story, blending science, mythology, and the sheer beauty of nature.

Which of these rock formations would you love to visit? Let us know in the comments below!