Lifting stone

Lifting stones are heavy natural stones which people are challenged to lift, proving their strength. They are common throughout Northern Europe, particularly Iceland (where they are referred to as steintökin), Ireland, Scotland, Basque Country, Faroe Islands, Wales, North West England centred around Cumbria, Switzerland, Germany and also in the United States and parts of Asia such as Japan.

Recently, lifting stones have been incorporated into the World's Strongest Man and other similar strongman competitions, using various cast, found, or established challenge stones such as the Húsafell Stone, Dinnie Stones, Steinstossen, Nicol Stones and Odd Haugen Tombstone. They also do modernized versions of events derived from ancient contests, in which athletes would see who could load the heaviest stones onto a platform, known as Atlas stones or Castle stones.

Famous lifting stones from around the world and the greatest stone lifters are listed below.