The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The Cabin In The Woods. The Blair Witch Project.
What do all these horror movies have in common with each other? The obvious answer is that they are all favourites during Halloween season. Another running theme is that these films are set in a forest.
There’s something about the deep, dark woods that conjure up the stuff of nightmares – think axe-wielding lunatic, mischievous goblins and wandering lost souls.
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The late notable film academic Professor Peter Hutchings, in an interview with The Guardian, said forests have the potential to elicit a range of emotions in people.
“The forest is often used as a source of threat in our culture. It represents an older, pre-modern world that we have pushed aside, but which will now come back to endanger our protagonist,” said Prof Hutchings in the report.
“In The Blair Witch Project, for example, the forest is used to excellent effect. It’s a landscape of increasing disorientation where modern gadgets such as mobile phones fail to work. It’s also a place that forces you to experience the full darkness of the night,” he added.
That sense of disconnect can be terrifying for most city dwellers who are accustomed to modern day comforts. Imagine being stranded in the middle of nowhere with poor cellular connection and no WiFi. Of course, some people call that camping...
That being said, there are also thrill-seekers who are lured by the promise of a haunted forest. The infamous Aokigahara in Japan, for instance, is popular among tourists.
“There’s a sense of eerie peacefulness and I want to visit again,” remarked a traveller review on TripAdvisor.
And over at New Jersey Pine Barrens in the United States, locals are capitalising on the mystery of the Jersey Devil, a mythical beast born to a woman.
Curious visitors to nearby towns will find keychains and other souvenirs in the likeness of the terrifying creature said to haunt the forest grounds.
Meanwhile, others merely visit mysterious forests for a good hiking experience. Hikers are constantly looking out for the next great trail and some of these trails are tucked within notorious woods.
The Black Forest in Germany beckons outdoor enthusiasts with many scenic hiking and mountain biking trails.
In the spirit of Halloween, we tracked down some supposedly haunted forests around the world. Whether you’re looking for a good scare in the great outdoors or just enjoy a terrifying set of local legends, these woods are worthy additions in the travel itinerary.
Annabelle and Chucky might be credited for giving dolls a bad rep, but there has always been something creepy about human-like figurines. Now, try to imagine being surrounded by hundreds of baby dolls hanging on trees.
That’s exactly what visitors to Isla de las Munecas (also known as Island of the Dolls) in Mexico will find. Located in Xochimilco to the south of Mexico City, the small island was never intended to be a tourist attraction, but the legend surrounding the place has attracted many curious thrill-seekers.
According to folklore, the dolls are dedicated to the soul of a girl who drowned at one of the area’s many canals. The island’s caretaker Don Julian Santana Barrera – who found the girl’s body – would later hang up some dolls as a tribute to the deceased.
It is said that he kept hanging more dolls to appease the girl’s soul. Unfortunately, reports say that the caretaker was found drowned years later at the same spot where the girl was found.
This forest, which is located at the foot of Mount Fuji, reportedly has the second-highest suicide incidents in the world. Reports also say that Japan has one of the highest suicide rates in the developed world, and many people usually frequent this particular forest to end their lives.
It’s a grim fact that you probably wouldn’t be able to tell from the calm and beautiful environment of the place.
There’s even a sign at one of the entrances of the forest that urges “suicidal visitors” (or distressed folks) to reach out for help.
Aokigahara’s dark reputation was rudely highlighted in 2018 when YouTube star Logan Paul posted a video that showed the body of man (believed to be a suicide victim) hanging from a tree in the forest. While the video was distasteful, it renewed curious travellers’ attention to the place.
Its grim nature aside, Aokigahara is also famous for its walking trails. The large density of trees in the area, however, has led to many hikers getting lost. This is why visitors will find tapes, clothing or strings strewn around for hikers to mark their path – adding to the eerie vibe of the forest.
The phrase “until death do us part” takes on a dark twist in this forest. The creepiness of the former royal hunting grounds is perpetuated by the tale of Amy Robsart, the wife of the Earl of Leicester. She had died after mysteriously breaking her neck in 1560. Several years later, the Earl encountered Robsart’s ghost in Wychwood while on a hunting trip.
According to legend, the Earl was “told” by his deceased wife that he would be joining her soon. The man quickly fell ill and died not too long after the ghostly encounter.
Since then, locals have warned that anyone who is unfortunate enough to see the ghosts of the couple will have a similar fate befall them.
That ghost story hasn’t stopped avid hikers from frequenting the trails here. The forest has a 11.6km loop trail that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for hikers of all skill levels.
If the name sounds vaguely familiar, that’s because many of us have probably chanced upon the Black Forest in fairytales. The Brothers Grimm were allegedly so inspired by the forest in their native country that they made it the setting for many of their stories such as Hansel And Gretel, Rapunzel and Sleeping Beauty.
(The original versions of many of these Brothers Grimm fairytales are actually a lot darker and... grim than what some of us may be used to; they’re certainly not as “friendly” or cute as the cartoon versions!)
If anything, the mystery surrounding this impenetrable forest is more of a fantastical nature instead of something horrifying. Think dwarves, werewolves, nymphs and headless horsemen.
As for the seemingly sinister name of the forest, it is because hardly any sunlight could penetrate through the dense conifers.
Fairytales aside, the area around Black Forest is known for traditional medieval towns and villages. There are also many hiking and mountain biking trails. The trails will bring visitors through deep gorges and majestic waterfalls.
Fast forward to the future: the Pine Barrens (also known as the Pinelands) today is still mostly rural despite its close proximity to Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) and New York. Curious travellers will visit the area to immerse in the history of the abandoned mills and mining settlements.
The grounds of the Pine Barrens is also purported to be haunted by wandering spirits. But its most famous supernatural dweller is the Jersey Devil. The legendary creature is said to be the 13th child of a woman named Deborah Leeds. It was born with leathery wings, a goat’s head, and hooves.
Upon birth, the Devil flew up the chimney and into the Pine Barrens where it is said to still be lurking and preying on unsuspecting victims today.
Schools at night can be a terrifying place, with all the empty classrooms and long hallways. The Dow Hill Victoria Boys’ School certainly has its fair share of spooky tales. But so does the Dow Hill Forest in Kurseong town itself, which is located in the surrounding area of the school. There’s also a path between the school and the forest that the locals call the “Death Road”...
According to local legends, the forest – located about 30km from Darjeeling – is home to many spirits. Those who wander the woods in the evening have reported unexplainable chills and noises.
Some people have also reported sightings of a headless boy wandering around the forest. But those who dare to look past the ghost stories will find the area to be filled with tranquil rolling hills and scenic plantations. In fact, a check on online reviews show more accounts of natural wonder than supernatural encounters by travellers.
For many decades, that particular clearing has mystified scientists as no vegetation would grow there. The eerie atmosphere is compounded by the fact that trees in the forest tend to grow in weird patterns. The trunks and branches twist and spiral, giving the impression that they are trying to ensnare those who venture close.
A famous local legend claims that spirits are housed within these crooked trees. But the supernatural aside, Hoia Baciu Forest is a perfectly fine recreational venue. The unique trees here make for an unusual hiking experience for outdoor enthusiasts.
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