By Julius Choudhury
We live in a beautiful world. In honor of International Day of Forests on March 21, dearJulius.com Travel Magazine has picked its beautiful forests from across the planet. Celebrate the occasion, check out some of the world’s most magnificent wooded areas.
Sagano Bamboo Forest, Japan
Located on the outskirts of Kyoto, the wind produces an ethereal whistling sounds as it passes through the bamboo trees. The Japanese have listed the sound as one of “100 must-be-preserved sounds” in the country.
Amazon Rainforest, South America
The world’s largest tropical rainforest, the Amazon stretches over an area of 6,700,000 sq. km. (2,586,885 sq. mile) and is home to a wide array of rare animals, like the Poison Dart Frog and the Golden Lion Tamarin monkey. As accessible from the Peruvian side as the Brazilian, you can visit the Manu National Park and Alto Purus National Park from cities like Pucallpa and Puerto Maldonado.
Ancient Beech Forest, Germany
Identified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Germany’s Ancient Beech Forest is an extension of the Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians. In autumn, the trees are covered in bright red and golden leaves – a must-visit for all shutterbugs and nature enthusiasts out there.
Western Ghats, India
Technically a range of mountains that runs down the western coast of the Indian peninsula, the Western Ghats are a series of inter-linked, lush green forests that control the tropical climate of the region and bring much-needed monsoon rains to the country. Also a member of UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ghats are older than the Himalayas and home to rare flora and fauna.
Jiuzhaigou Valley, China
Also known as the “Valley of Nine Villages,” the Jiuzhaigou Valley National Park is dotted with beautiful lakes, waterfalls and snow-capped mountains. With elevations ranging from 2,000 to 4,500 meters (6,560 to 14,800 ft), the forest has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992.
Durmitor National Park, Montenegro
Located in the north-west of Montenegro, the Durmitor National Park has several lofty peaks that touch 2,000 meters (6,560 ft). Climb up some of these to admire the incredible views or bungee jump Tara Canyon, which is 1,000 meters (3,280 ft) deep.
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, California
The Bristlecone Pine Forest is home to some of the oldest trees on the planet, specifically the nearly 5,000-year-old Methuselah. The location of that tree is kept secret, to avoid defacement by vandals. The trees can grow at altitudes of 3,000 meters (10,000 ft) and offer some of the most gorgeous groves in the world.
Tongass National Forest, Alaska
The largest temperate rainforest in the world, the Tongass National Forest stretches over 69,000 sq. km. (26,640 sq. miles). The forest is home to native tribes and eagles and bears, as well as spawning salmon. Be sure to take a floatplane tour of this beautiful forest.
Tarkine, Australia
Home to 3,000-year-old Huon pine trees, The Tarkine is a large temperate rainforest and a great place for freshwater fishing. If that doesn’t interest you, take a long hike through a stunning variety of landscapes – from mountain ranges to moorlands – or explore one of the many cave systems in the area.
Coconino National Forest, US
The Coconino National Forest has trees growing on mountains as high as 3,600 meters (12,000 ft) and is named after the Mogollon and Coconino plateaus on which it is located. Visitors can experience a range of landscapes, from desert to alpine tundra.
Nantahala National Forest, North Carolina
Home to some of the largest hardwood trees on the east coast of the U.S., the Nantahala National Forest offers some memorable hiking trails and breathtaking views of waterfalls.
Waipoua Forest, New Zealand
Only a two-hour drive from Auckland, the Waipoua Forest is the best place to see the beautiful and ancient Kauri trees. Be sure to go on a glowworm-watching tour in the Waipoua river caves and take kayak trips from the nearby town of Dargaville.
Black Forest, Germany
According to folklore, this is where Hansel and Gretel met the wicked witch. The Black Forest, known locally as Schwarzwald, is a dark evergreen woodland with a rich diversity of plant life and geology.
Yakushima Forest, Japan
More than 7,000 years old, the dark, wet Yakushima Forest has been marked as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Check the semi-permanent camping shelters in the middle of the trails and enjoy the light showers which make the forest come alive with unforgettable sights and sounds.
Daintree Rainforest, Australia
The Daintree rainforest has played home to a diverse variety of flora and fauna for over 100 million years. It is a remarkably beautiful region with mountain ranges, dense forests, breathtaking waterfalls and (nearby) white sandy beaches of the Queensland coast.
Araucaria Forest, Chile
The Chilean forest of Araucaria is one of the best places to spot 1,000-year old Chilean pine trees. Don’t forget to visit the Conguillio National Park (pictured) and the Tolhuaca National Park or take a hike to the Villarrica volcano summit (pictured in the background).
Bialowieza Forest, Poland and Belarus
Białowieża Forest, on the border between Poland and Belarus, was once the favored hunting ground of kings and tsars. It was marked as a National Park in the early 20th century. Visit this 7,000-year-old forest to gaze at gigantic spruce, maple, silver birch and oak trees. You can ride on rented bikes or walk the forest trails.
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Costa Rica
Named after the nearby town of Monteverde, this Costa Rican forest receives around 70,000 visitors a year. With over 2,500 plant species, 100 species of mammals, 400 bird species and thousands of different insects, Monteverde is a paradise for nature lovers from all over the world.
Great Bear Rainforest, Canada
The Great Bear Rainforest is a temperate rainforest stretching 250 miles (400 km) along the central and northern coasts of British Columbia. It is the only place in the world where you can see the elusive Kermode (spirit) bear, which is a sub-species of black bears. The best time to visit the place is from late August to mid-October.
Dragon's Blood Forest, Socotra, Yemen
The spooky Dragon’s Blood Forest is home to trees with UFO-like tops. These are colloquially known as dragon’s blood trees. You can also marvel at granite mountains and limestone plateaus. The forest is also home to large tracts of frankincense trees, as well as myrrh trees and several rare species of birds.
Hallerbos Forest, Halle, Belgium
A large tract of forest land between a small river called Zenne and a neighboring forest called Zonien, the Hallerbos Forest is marked by extensive and beautiful fields of bluebells and giant Sequoia trees. These bloom around mid-April and, while strolling along the paths, you may even catch glimpses of deer and red squirrels.
Humboldt Redwoods State Park, California
The Humboldt Redwoods State Park is spread over 82 sq. miles (214 sq. km.) and offers stunning views of some of the world’s most majestic and ancient redwood groves, as well excellent opportunities for fishing, boating and swimming. It is open year-round and even has motor-home facilities.
Crooked Forest, Poland
This forest in Poland is home to some 400 peculiarly shaped pine trees – the trunks buckle out in 90° angles. No one knows how or why this happened, although it is presumed to be man-made. The trees were believed to have been planted in the 1930s.
Otzarreta Forest, Spain
This protected area, which is a part of the Gorbea Natural Park, is located between the provinces of Alava and Vizcaya in the Basque Country. It comprises beech trees whose branches face up to the sky and are covered with green moss. During fall, the forest looks enchanting as reds and oranges cover the floor.
Mossy Forest, Malaysia
This moist, tropical evergreen forest is ideally suited for moss, ferns, lichen and orchids. A wide variety of insects, snakes, frogs and birds can be seen. You can explore the forest on a 1.5-mile (2 km) walk, just before the peak of Gunung Brinchang.
Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire, England
Robin Hood may have been fictional, but Sherwood Forest isn’t. Although less extensive today than it was in the past, this woodland area is filled with pine plantations, heath and, in some areas, veteran oak trees. Diverse fauna, like hedgehogs, weasels, fallow deer and shrews call this forest home.
Valle de Cocora, QuindÃo, Colombia
If you want to see the largest palm trees in the world, visit the Valle de Cocora in Colombia, South America. A broad green valley fenced by sharp mountain peaks, a hike through the valley will reward you with sightings of endangered mountain tapirs, spectacled bears and even mountain lions.
