Top 10 Spookiest Haunted Forests Around the Globe

For decades, these dark and mysterious woods have been capturing people’s imaginations. We’ve heard many stories of haunted forests, and while some travelers steer clear, others find themselves intrigued. There is something compelling about entering the deep woods, offering chances to explore and experience the supernatural.

Across the globe, numerous places boast persisting rumors of hauntings, attracting modern-day ghost hunters equipped with various gadgets. These enthusiasts search for definitive proof of the paranormal in some of the world’s most storied forests. Many visitors share a thrill, reminiscent of watching scary movies, where the suspense evokes questions about the unexplained—what if it’s true?

1. Black Forest, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

This bewitching landscape along the Rhine River looks just as you’d imagine—dense with fir and pine trees, sunlight barely pierces through. It serves as an ideal playground for mythological creatures like sorcerers, werewolves, witches, and kind-hearted dwarves. The Brothers Grimm set many of their fairy tales in the Schwarzwald (as it’s called in German), immersing readers in the world of Black Forest necromancy.

2. Wychwood Forest, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

Visitors to Wychwood Forest, once a royal hunting ground, often report mysterious experiences such as invisible hands touching their shoulders or the sounds of unseen horses. Compelling folklore surrounds the tale of Amy Robsart, whose ghost reportedly confronted her husband, predicting his untimely demise.

3. Devil’s Tramping Ground, Chatham County, North Carolina

The intriguing story of a barren 40-foot ring in the woods, where the devil is said to stomp nightly, has caught the attention of both locals and visitors. The North Carolina Department of Agriculture’s investigations provided no explanation for this odd phenomenon.

4. Dow Hill Forest, Kurseong, India

Dow Hill Forest surrounds Kurseong’s Victoria Boys School and is notorious for paranormal activity, with reports of headless apparitions and the eerie sensation of being watched by visitors exploring the woods.

5. Hoia-Baciu, Transylvania, Romania

Known as the “Bermuda Triangle of Romania,” Hoia-Baciu has intrigued paranormal enthusiasts for decades. Locals tell tales of its twisted trees and a circular clearing at the center, believed to be a portal for those daring enough to enter.

6. La Isla de las Muñecas, Xochimilco, Mexico

The eerie Isla de las Muñecas features trees adorned with hundreds of dolls, a chilling tribute by the island’s former inhabitant, which has since become a dark tourist attraction.

7. Randolph Forest, Randolph, Maine

Hiking through this Maine forest, travelers may encounter ghostly orbs and unexplained voices, particularly at night when the atmosphere shifts. This forest is enveloped in a layer of history, having once been a passage for soldiers returning home.

8. Freetown-Fall River State Forest, Bristol County, Massachusetts

This forest is not only picturesque but also steeped in dark history, associated with a local cult related to murders in the late 1970s. Visitors have reported eerie sightings within its boundaries.

9. Epping Forest, London, United Kingdom

Stretching through East London and Essex, Epping Forest carries tales of notorious figures and hidden secrets. It’s a place where the supernatural and historical converge.

10. Old House Woods, Diggs, Virginia

This 50-acre forest, known for its ghostly tales involving British soldiers and pirates, holds secrets intertwined with lost treasure and haunting melodies heard by visitors.