{{Short description|Set of stones used for crossing water}} {{Other uses|Stepping stone (disambiguation)}} {{refimprove|date=January 2008}}{{BridgeTypePix| |type_name = Stepping stones |image = StepStones4956.jpg |image_title = A rustic stepping stone bridge across a stream. |sibling_names = Natural stepping stone stream crossing |descendent_names = Clapper bridge, Zig-zag bridge, Log bridge |ancestor_names = None, this is one of the few foundational types, but see also: ford (crossing). |carries = Pedestrians |span_range = Has no spans, but stones must be spaced to allow water flow and a comfortable step or leap |material = Selected stone |movable = No |design = Low-rustic to Artisan applied art design |falsework = No |}} '''Stepping stones''' or '''stepstones''' are sets of stones arranged to form an improvised causeway that allows a pedestrian to cross a natural watercourse such as a creek, a small river; or a water feature in a garden where water is allowed to flow between stone steps.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.sctrails.net/trails/LIBRARY/TrailTerms.htm|title = Glossary of Trail and Greenway Terms|date = 2008|access-date = 5 January 2014|publisher = South Carolina State Trails Program}}</ref> Unlike bridges, stepstone crossings typically have no spans, although wood planks or stone slabs can be placed over between the stones (which serve as the piers) to improvise as low-water bridges. Although their historical origin is unknown, stepping stones, along with log bridges, are likely to have been among the earliest means of crossing inland bodies of water devised by humans.
In traditional Japanese gardens, the term ''iso-watari'' refers to stepping stone pathways that lead across shallow parts of a pond, which work like a bridge-like slower crossing. Using ''iso-watari'' for crossing ponds, or shallow parts of streams, one can view the aquatic animals and plants around or in the pond, like carp, turtles, and waterfowl.
Today, stepping stones are commonly used by mountaineers and hikers as a makeshift way of crossing uncharted or unanticipated streams and torrents. They may occur alongside a ford.
==Historic stepping stones== {{See also|Robert Burns and the Eglinton Estate}}
The Drukken Steps in the Eglinton Woods of North Ayrshire in Scotland were a favourite haunt of poet Robert Burns and his companion Richard Brown, while the two were living in Irvine from 1781 to 1782.<ref>Love, Dane (2003), ''Ayrshire : Discovering a County''. Ayr : Fort Publishing. {{ISBN|0-9544461-1-9}}</ref>
The name "Drukken" steps derives from a person's gait as they stepped from stone to stone whilst crossing the Red Burn. Seven or more stones were originally set in the Red Burn which was much wider than in 2009.<ref>King, Robert (2009). Oral Communication.</ref>
Burns himself used the Scots spelling "Drucken" rather than "Drukken".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.robertburns.org/works/84.shtml|title=Robert Burns Country: Scotch Drink|website=www.robertburns.org}}</ref> The ruins of the Drukken Steps are in the Eglinton Country Park.
<gallery class=center caption="Historic stepping stones"> File:SteppingStoneBoltonAbbey.jpg|Stepping stones in Bolton Abbey File:Stucco stone from footbridge.JPG|A stucco stone from The Drukken Steps, stepping stones in Scotland File:Stepping Stones - geograph.org.uk - 5528.jpg|The stepping stones in the Rothay, Lake District, England File:Stepping_stones.jpg|The stepping stones across the Mole at the foot of Box Hill, Surrey, England </gallery>
== In popular culture == A deadly version of stepping stones involving glass tiles is featured in the 2021 South Korean series ''Squid Game'' as the fifth game played in the series.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Akula|first=Lakshay|date=2021-10-21|title=The Squid Game glass bridge game explained with probability|url=https://medium.com/@lakshayakula/the-squid-game-glass-bridge-game-explained-with-probability-138371d77b52|access-date=2021-11-04|website=Medium|language=en}}</ref>
== See also == * {{annotated link|Clapper bridge}} * {{annotated link|Footbridge}} * {{annotated link|Ford (crossing)}} * {{annotated link|Kūlgrinda}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Stepping stones}} *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds1G1fBqGtU Stepping stones on the River Ayr] *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znWANk0ZD1A Stepping stones on the Annick Water]
{{Garden features}} Category:Footbridges Category:Stone bridges Category:Garden features Category:Stonemasonry Category:Chinese gardening styles Category:Japanese style of gardening Category:River crossings