Some forests offer more than just natural beauty — they come with legends, ghostly sightings, and a reputation for the unexplained.
From India’s Dow Hill, where woodcutters claim to see a headless boy, to New Jersey’s Pine Barrens, home of the terrifying Jersey Devil, these forests are truly unsettling. Join us as we take a dive into the 10 Most Haunted Forests in the World!
Aokigahara – Japan
Japan’s Aokigahara forest is hauntingly silent, with volcanic rock that absorbs sound and high iron levels that disrupt cell signals. This creates an atmosphere of eerie isolation. Its dark history dates back to the practice of ubasute, where families allegedly left elderly relatives there to die. Some locals believe their spirits, or yūrei, still haunt the forest.
In modern times, Aokigahara has gained an even darker reputation as a site associated with suicides, fueled by literature that has called it an ideal place to die.
Ballyboley Forest, Northern Ireland
Ballyboley Forest, rumored to be haunted by a spectral woman in white, fills many visitors with an unsettling sense of dread. Strange lights and shadowy figures are often reported, adding layers to the forest’s already eerie reputation. For those brave enough to explore, Ballyboley offers a chilling experience steeped in local legend and mystery.
Island of Dolls – Mexico
Mexico’s “Island of the Dolls” stands out among haunted forests worldwide, not for its trees but for the eerie sight of thousands of dolls hanging from branches.
The story began in the 1950s when Don Julián Santana Barrera, who lived on a remote island, found the body of a young girl who had drowned with her doll. Fearing her spirit would haunt him, Barrera hung up her doll for appeasement and continued to add to the collection, creating a haunting, doll-filled landscape that now draws tourists to witness this chilling tribute.
Cobb Estate – California
The Cobb Estate in Altadena, California, once briefly owned by the Marx Brothers, is renowned not for comedy but for its reputation as one of America’s most haunted forests.
Hikers visiting the estate report chilling experiences, from strange blue lights and unsettling screams to the sensation of being watched and sightings of a “ghost in chains.” While no clear backstory explains its haunted status, rumors swirl about tragic events in the woods, and recent discoveries of bodies in 2010 and 2019 along the trails only add to the estate’s unsettling allure.
Hoia-Baciu – Transylvania
Romania’s Hoia-Baciu forest, located in the legendary region of Transylvania, is often called the most haunted forest in the world — and for good reason.
Known for its eerie “clearing,” a barren circle where nothing grows, the forest has drawn scientists, witches, and thrill-seekers intrigued by reports of UFO sightings, ghostly apparitions, and unexplained physical symptoms like nausea and anxiety. Unnaturally twisted trees and frequent malfunctions of electronic devices make Hoia-Baciu embody a mysterious and unsettling energy.
Devil’s Tramping Ground – North Carolina
The Devil’s Tramping Ground, a mysterious barren circle in Bear Creek, North Carolina, is known as the spot where the devil allegedly “tramps” each night, doing goodness knows what.
Nothing grows within this 40-foot diameter patch, and items left overnight tend to vanish, fueling local legends and supernatural speculation. While scientific studies have revealed high salt levels in the soil likely explain its barrenness, legends continue to surround the spot. Some theories even connect it with the lost colony of Roanoke, making it one of North Carolina’s most enigmatic haunted sites.
Related: The Creepiest Urban Legend from Each State
Epping Forest – Britain
Spanning nearly 6,000 acres, Britain’s Epping Forest is shrouded in tales of paranormal encounters and a violent past. Locacted between London and Essex, the forest has long been associated with chilling events, like Roman-era violence or burial sites for the the notorious Kray twins’ victims.
Visitors have reported encounters with spectral figures, from Queen Boudica to a headless biker, and strange phenomena like cars seemingly rolling uphill on “Hangman’s Hill.” This has solidified Epping Forest’s reputation as one of Britain’s most haunted sites.
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Freetown State Forest – Massachusetts
Back in 1974, then-California Governor Ronald Reagan reported seeing mysterious orbs in the sky while flying over Freetown State Forest, Massachusetts. Located an hour south of Boston, this 5,000-acre forest has been the site of multiple murders, including the tragic case of 15-year-old Mary Lou Arruda. There have also been reports of assaults, Satanic rituals, and other ritualistic activities.
Beyond these chilling histories, Freetown State Forest is also said to harbor supernatural beings, such as Native American cryptids called Pukwudgies, poltergeists, and ghosts.
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Pine Barrens – New Jersey
The New Jersey Pine Barrens spans 1.1 million acres of dense forest and is home to chilling tales of ghosts as well as the legendary Jersey Devil. Originally inhabited by the Lenni Lenape people, who left behind generations of ancestors buried there, the forest has since become associated with eerie apparitions, from a ghostly boy to the infamous pirate Captain Kidd.
No tale from Pine Barrens is more famous than the Jersey Devil, though. It was said to have been born in 1735 to a desperate woman named Mother Leeds, transforming soon after birth into a creature with a horse’s head, bat wings, and dragon-like talons. It’s been haunting the Pine Barrens ever since.
Related: From Coast to Ghost: The Most Haunted Place in Every State
Dow Hill – Kurseong, India
Dow Hill in Kurseong, India, is known for its breathtaking scenery and vibrant orchids. But it’s also reputed to be one of the country’s most haunted forests. Located about 20 miles from Darjeeling, Dow Hill has been home to chilling tales centering around “Death Road” and the century-old Victoria Boys High School.
Woodcutters claim to have seen the headless ghost of a young boy on the road, while locals report eerie whispers and footsteps around the school during its winter closure, making Dow Hill a chilling entry in the world’s haunted forests.
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