Forests cover around 9.4% of the world’s surface and luckily for us travellers, many of them are available to explore! Whether you’re heading to South America, Europe or even Asia, these 8 incredible forests are worthwhile becoming lost in:
1. Amazon Rainforest, South America
Spanning across Brazil, Peru, Venezuela, Colombia, Bolivia and other South American countries, the tropical rainforest of the Amazon is the largest and most diverse on Earth, making up over half of the world’s remaining rainforests. There are dozens of highlights to explore in the alluring Amazon, including the Amazon River, Machu Picchu, the city of Manaus and of course, the Basin.
2. Black Forest, Germany
Journey through the Rhine Valley and you’ll inevitably end up in the infamous Black Forest of Germany. Contrary to popular belief, the name of this forest comes not from the colour of the trees, but from the fact that the forest is so thick it blocks out sunlight, casting explorers in darkness. Unsurprisingly, the Grimm Brothers based many of their fairy tales, including Sleeping Beauty and Hansel and Gretel, in this amazing forest.
3. Sagano Bamboo Forest, Japan
Towering bamboo trees make this magnificent forest seem like something out of a fantastical world, but it is indeed very real. A short trip west of Kyoto in the province of Arashiyama, the Sagano Forest is a beautiful sight to behold and the bamboo here is used to make products like baskets, mats and cups. Walking through the forest is the best way to take in this natural wonder and hopefully, the bamboo will bring some good luck to your travels!
4. Forests of Redwood National Park, California
If you want to see some of the tallest and biggest trees in the entire world, Redwood National Park is the place to be. Word has it that you can’t even see the tree tops on a foggy day! Huge prairies and gorgeous rivers are also highlights of Redwood and animals like black bears, bald eagles, elk, mountain lions, beavers and even sea lions can be found here.
5. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
This incredible forest in the southwest of Uganda is one of the richest yet remote in the world, with many areas only accessible by foot. Monkeys are the biggest drawcard at Bwindi, with chimpanzees, baboons, colobus monkeys and the highly sought-after mountain gorillas all findable here too.
6. Daintree Rainforest, Australia
It rests in our own backyard and it’s the oldest rainforest in the world. The remarkable Daintree is a lush, green wonderland brimming with tropical diversity and incredible beauty. Here, you can likely spot an array of wildlife, including kangaroos, platypuses, cassowaries, possums, bats and snakes. Rivers, waterfalls and beach-lined coasts are also must-see features within the Daintree, with sports, activities and accommodation all easy to come by.
7. Tongass National Forest, Alaska
Covering 17 million acres of land, the Tongass National Forest is one of the only temperate rainforests left in the world. Coastal mountains, fjords and glaciers make up this forest and getting lost in this huge landscape is easy, especially since it’s an mind-blowing place to visit all year round. Whale watching and wolf and bear spotting are popular here, though much of the forest is highly endangered due to logging.
8. Valley of Nine Villages, China
Otherwise known as Jiuzhaigou Valley, China’s Valley of the Nine Villages is renowned for its breathtaking colours and its diverse scenery. The landscape here comprises of natural broad-leaf and mixed forests, as well as stunning snow-capped mountains and dazzling turquoise lakes. Much of the forest and park has been decked out to make room for visitors and many travellers head here while in China with the hope of spotting a wild Giant Panda.