Approximately thirty percent of the land on our planet is covered by lush green forests. It serves as a habitat for about eighty percent of the Earth’s total terrestrial biodiversity and its ancient and natural charm is irresistible. Photographers, travelers and even people who want a break from the bustle of the city want to spend some uninterrupted, peaceful time with nature. When you enter a forest, your senses will become more aware of your surroundings, your lungs will be filled up with wonderful fresh air, and you will become one with nature.
If you’re the adventurous type of person who loves to explore the unknown, wild world hidden in the forests, we are here to give you a list of the most mysterious forests in the world that should be included in your bucket list.
‘Sunken’ Forest, Lake Kaindy
Located in the Tien Shan Mountains, Lake Kaindy got its “sunken forest” name because of its massive spruce trees rising out of its clear sparkling turquoise colored waters. The beautiful lake was a result of an earthquake in 1911. It created a tragic landslide that killed more than 450 people. The landslide allowed the formation of a natural dam. Then eventually, rainwater started to fill the valley and created the lake.
Lake Kaindy is famous to tourists because of its stunning views both above and under the water. The lake water is cold even in the summer and on winter days, the lake freezes over making Lake Kaindy a great spot for ice diving and trout fishing.
Sea of Trees or Aokigahara
Located at the northwest base of Mount Fuji in Japan, Aokigahara was formed on 30 square kilometers of hardened lava that was laid down by Mount Fuji’s last major eruption in 864 CE. The western side of Aokigahara is very dense and the porous lava absorbs sounds that make this forest popular to tourist and visitors because of the solitude feeling that it gives. This forest is very dense and dark. The only light you can see in this forest are sunbeams. This made the hikers and tourist use plastic tape to mark their trails so that they won’t get lost.
Aokigahara or the Sea of Trees is also known as Suicide Forest. In 2004, 108 bodies were reportedly found in Aokigahara, and a total of 247 people attempted suicide in this forest in 2010. The suicide rate became very alarming that police and volunteers conduct an annual body search throughout the forest. They usually find bodies that are hanging from the trees. The Sea of Trees is the world’s second most popular suicide location next to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
Hoia-Baciu Forest, Romania
Named after a shepherd who vanished in this forest along with his two hundred sheep, Hoia-Baciu is considered one of the haunted forest in the world and sometimes referred to as the Bermuda Triangle of Transylvania. Even the locals are afraid to enter the forest because they believe that anyone who enters it will never return.
Hoia-Baciu is also known for different paranormal activities. Tourist and visitors have claimed they saw mysterious orb-like lights and apparitions. They also heard female voices giggling and crying. They also reported that they have seen a UFO flying around the area. Some people also say that when they enter the forest, they suddenly remember all their past experiences in the trees but they forget all of it once they exit the forest. Different scientists from Germany, the United States, and France have captured strange images that involve faces and apparitions in this forest.
Tsingy Forest
Located in Madagascar, Tsingy Forest is also known as the Forest of Knives. It was included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990 because of its marvelous geography and well-preserved mangrove forests. Most of Tsingy Forest land is made up of sharp limestone rocks that stand up to 70 meters up in the air. This may also be one of the dangerous forests you can visit but the view and experience will make your trip worth it.
Dark Entry Forest
Also known as Dudley Town, this used to be a thriving community in Cornwall, Connecticut during the 18th century. This area was a popular place until people started reporting unexplained murders, weird sightings, and even mass murders. Residents also claimed that they experienced hallucinations that included demons who tell them to commit suicide. The disappearance of sheep and other herd animals in the area is also a common occurrence in this forest.
Because of these incidents, many residents of Dudley Town started to think that the area was cursed. By the middle of the 20th century, everyone in the town had died or moved away. Dudley Town or Dark Entry Forest is now a thick, rocky forest that sits in the shadows of, Woodburry Mountain, the Coltsfoot Triplets, and Bald Mountain. Just like other mysterious forest, visitors say that they saw unexplained lights and heard strange noises in this forest.
Dow Hill of Kurseong
Kurseong is home to a small hill station with orchid gardens, forested hills, tea plantations, and astounding vistas. But it is also known for death roads, haunted school, and a headless ghost. Paranormal activities are happening here anytime. Local woodcutters say that they saw a ghost of a headless young boy walking and disappearing in the forest. Visitors also claim that they feel like they are being followed and watched over by someone. They even reported that they’ve seen a ghost of an old woman dressed in grey.
Black Forest
Located at the south west of Germany, this large forested mountain range is known as a home to a lot of myths and legends. It turns into an enchanting place during fall. But don’t you fear because this forest is surrounded by eccentric villages and beautiful hiking trails.
There are many things to do when you visit this forest, especially during summer and autumn. You can do water sports like diving and windsurfing at lake Titisee and Schluchsee. You can experience bathing in thermal baths in the town of Baden-Baden. And you can also visit a flower and wine village at Sasbachwalden. The Black Forest also offers a vast forest, mysterious lakes, open mountain heights and enthralling valleys that are famous to tourists and visitors.
Devil’s Tramping Ground
This is a camping spot located in a forest near Bear Creek, North Carolina is an unusual place because of an inexplicable 40-foot circle where no trees or plants grows. What makes it more unusual is even the animals don’t cross this said circle. Stories say that this is the place where the devil rises from the depths of hell and walks in circles while he spreads evil into the world. People claim that they have seen red glowing eyes there at night. People have also tried placing their valuables in the circle during the night and they found them thrown out the next morning. They said this is because the devil came and cleared his dance floor.
Red Forest
This forest is located at the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone in Ukraine. It is the 10 square kilometer area around the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant near the city of Pripyat. It is also known as the Worm Wood Forest. After the Chernobyl nuclear accident in 1986, the Red Forest was one of the areas which received the highest dose of radiation. The lively forest turned ginger brown and slowly died because of radiation. The explosion contaminated the atmosphere, soil, and water in the forest. During the post-disaster cleanup, most of the trees were taken down by a bulldozer and the “liquidators” buried it in trenches. It was covered by thick sand and they planted pine seedlings afterward.
The Red Forest is still one of the most contaminated areas on Earth but as impossible as it may seem, the forest has become a fertile habitat for endangered species. In 2005, 21 rare Przewalski’s horses had escaped and found a home in Pripyat. From 21 horses, there are now 64 Przewalski’s horses that are now living in Pripyat.
Crooked Forest
Located in Nowe Czarnowo, West Pomerania, Poland this is a grove of very strange trees that have an unusual curve in them. There are about 100 pines that were planed in the early 1930s. Many believe someone made them grow this way but no one is sure exactly and if they did it why. Regardless they make for a pretty interesting site!
These forests are certainly mysterious and the stories behind them are really interesting. For the adventurers out there, maybe it’s time for you to update your travel bucket list and discover the wonders of these forests. Which of them would you like to visit soon?