Inside ‘world’s creepiest forest’ where UFOs are seen & people disappear among gnarled trees as scientists left baffled
NESTLED between two mountain ranges in Transylvania is a forest locals have long refused to enter for fear of what lies within.
Now, a tour company is venturing into the Hoia-Baciu Forest, where UFOs, strange shadows, and other supernatural phenomena occur.
Legend says the area was named after a shepherd, Baciu, who supposedly entered the “world’s most haunted forest” with a flock of 200 sheep – only to never be seen again.
Marius Lazin is the President of the Hoia-Baciu Project, an organisation first formed to prevent the forest from being destroyed.
He told The Sun Online: “Growing up, the Hoia-Baciu Forest was shrouded in a rich tapestry of stories and rumours that kindled fascination.
“These tales often revolved around eerie occurrences, mysterious disappearances, and the uncanny energy that permeated the woods.”
Tales surrounding the forest also include unexplained disappearances – including the tale of a young girl who entered and was presumed dead.
Five years later, she is said to have reemerged unaged, wearing the same dress she vanished in and unable to remember where she’d been.
Many locals and visitors have claimed to see ghostly apparitions of soldiers who died in battles that took place nearby.
Hauntingly, no vegetation grows in a circular section of the forest – and this is where much of the paranormal activity is documented.
Trees on the edge grow in twisted, bizarre patterns, and scientists have even taken samples of the soil within the circle but are unable to determine why nothing grows.
Lazin explained that part of the forest’s mystique is linked to its proximity to an archaeological site, with 10 bodies discovered that date back to 6500 BC.
Tour guides with the Hoia-Baciu Project have witnessed many events that defy logic while hosting tours to the forest.
The woods first gained infamy for extraterrestrial life after biologist Alexandra Sift took several photos of what appeared to be a UFO flying above the trees in 1960.
Email Barnea, a military technician, took further photos of a flying saucer over the treeline in 1968 – and the tales took off from there.
Investigators quickly tried to debunk Barnea’s photo, but no weather balloons, blimps, or other things were found to be in the sky that day.
His photo negatives were also examined to see if they were altered – but no evidence of tampering was found.
Despite these tales spanning decades, many still opt to venture into the forest with the help of the Hoia-Baciu Project tour guides.
Lazin told how many guides have witnessed unexplained events while in the forest – ranging from electronic device malfunctions to creepy voices.
He said: “Participants have recounted whispers that seem to emanate from the very fabric of the forest, an eerie feeling of being scrutinised by unseen eyes, and even the fortuitous capture of enigmatic images on their cameras.”
Many who enter the forest with their cameras have captured photos of unexplained orbs floating by the trees.
Some visitors have reported feelings of nausea, dizziness and disorientation – with many reporting scratches and bruises after reemerging.
One tourist said: “There was a strange photo on my phone that I did not take. I slept with the nightlight on in my Airbnb!”
Many claim the hauntings experienced by visitors are due to the ancient village dating back to 6500 BC, while others claim it’s the ghosts of a village of peasants who are responsible.
Despite the varying tales and experiences, Lazin said: “An astonishing phenomenon has emerged through these tours.
“A cross-cultural thread binding diverse individuals from various countries, continents, and backgrounds.
“In certain pockets of the forest, individuals consistently report similar sensations and uncanny experiences.”