The enchanted forests that look like they're straight out of a fairy tale

Forests number some of the world's most exuberant natural wonders. Many are described as enchanting, and in folklore and fantasy, an enchanted forest is associated with legend, myth, and magic. Others, however, are aligned with darker, more mysterious forces, and these are forests you probably don't want to venture into on your own.

Browse the gallery and take a walk through these weird and wonderful woodlands.

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Hemlock Trail, China - Wander through Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area in Taiwan and you'll reach this bizarre-looking forest, which contains a number of sacred shrines and temples.

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Halles Forest (Hallerbos), Belgium - It's known as the blue forest for its carpet of bluebells that flower for a few weeks in spring. This really is picture-book stuff!

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Jiuzhaigou Valley, China - This forest is blessed with crystal-blue lakes, a number of different species of trees, and mountains over 4,572 m (15,000 ft) high. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Hoia-Baciu Forest, Romania - Regarded as one of the most haunted forests in the world, Hoia-Baciu has been dubbed the "Bermuda Triangle of Transylvania" such is its association with weird paranormal activity.

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Halnaker Tunnel, England - This beautiful natural tunnel is what makes this forest in the United Kingdom famous.

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Epping Forest, England - This forest is the setting of many legends, and it is said that it served as a hiding place for the 18th-century highwayman Richard Turpin. British career criminal Harry Roberts, who was convicted of the murder of three policemen in 1966, hid out here while on the run.

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Arashiyama Forest, Japan - A 10th-century legend recalls a man cutting bamboo who found a baby girl inside a bamboo stalk. Gold subsequently appeared at the spot where the plant was cut down and the girl's adoptive family grew wealthy. The girl was actually Princess Kaguya, sent to complete a mission on Earth by the people from the moon.

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Frith Wood, England - During the 19th century, a prison stood on this spot where captured French soldiers were interned. A local woman fell in love with one of the prisoners, but was later killed by her father and brother for doing so. It's said that her restless soul still roams the forest.

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Aspen Forest, USA - Oregon state is known for its forests of aspen, a tree which in the northern hemisphere is considered to be a symbol of prosperity.

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Randolph Forest, USA - Strangely, Randolph Forest is filled with a large number of abandoned cars. Furthermore, local residents believe the forest is home to spirits that make strange noises.

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Wychwood Forest, England - One of the most famous tales to come out of this forest is that of Amy Robsart, wife of the Earl of Leicester, who mysteriously died of a broken neck and then appeared in front of her husband while he was out hunting, telling him of his imminent death. He allegedly died five days later!

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Sherwood Forest, England - One of the most famous forests in the United Kingdom, Sherwood was said to be home to the legendary outlaw Robin Hood, who stole from the rich to give to the poor.

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Rata Forest, New Zealand - Named after a strange type of gnarled tree that's found on Enderby Island on the Auckland Islands archipelago, Rata Forest's flora is unworldly in appearance and conjures up images of a magical place where trees come alive.

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Penmaenpool Forest, Wales - The 19th-century Victorian poet Gerard Manley Hopkins wrote 'Penmaen Pool' based on his visits to this forested area. It's said the spirits of those drowned in a nearby 1966 boating accident roam the woods seeking salvation.

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Island of Dolls, Mexico - This forested island is known for its dolls attached to trees. This tradition began in the '50s when Don Julian Santana, the island's only inhabitant, discovered a dead child floating in the lake clutching a doll.

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Aokigahara Forest, Japan - The tranquil scene is misleading. Aokigahara has a historical reputation as home to "yūrei," or ghosts of the dead. The forest has a notorious reputation as one of the world's most preferred destinations for taking one's own life. In fact, there are now signs urging visitors with suicidal thoughts to contact a local s u i c i d e prevention association.

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Crooked Forest, Poland - Located outside Nowe Czarnowo, the trunks of the tress in the "crooked" forest resemble inverted question marks. But why is this? Some believe they were shaped by foresters to produce naturally curved timber for boats. But the definitive answer remains a mystery.

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Goblin Forest, New Zealand - Set within Tararua Forest Park, this bizarre and rather creepy-looking woodland features trees smothered in green moss, the so-called "goblin glow," as locals describe it.

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Amazon rainforest, South America - Legend says that in this forest, an indigenous woman fell in love with the moon and ended up drowning in a lake because she believed its reflection embodied God on earth. Moved by the story, the moon decided to turn the woman into a water lily decorated with sweet smelling flowers that only open after dark.

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Stanton Moor, England - Four Bronze Age stone circles sited on the moor lend this forest of twisted and bewitching silver birch trees a tangible air of mystery.

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Otzarreta Forest, Spain - Head to Gorbea Natural Park in the country's Basque region to explore this ancient forest. Arrive on a foggy autumn morning and you'll be rewarded with a truly remarkable visual experience.

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Huilo-Huilo Biological Reserve, Chile - Legend says that the park's Mocho-Choshuenco volcano and its wooded surroundings are patrolled by Don Mocho, a mystical skier who can control the volcano's explosive activity.

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Freetown Fall River Forest, USA - After European colonization, the indigenous population abandoned the forest and left behind their secret burial grounds. Several murders and paranormal activity have taken place here, lending the area an eerie and unwholesome reputation.

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Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda - This huge primeval forest is where half the world's critically endangered gorillas call home. The forest is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Tsingy Forest, Madagascar - Not for nothing is Tsingy known as the "forest of the knives." The razor-sharp limestone rock formations jutting up from the earth make this forest possibly the most dangerous in the world to explore.

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Black Forest, Germany - Forever associated with the Brothers Grimm fairy tales—and a rather delicious cake—this forested mountain range is a popular vacation destination.

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Magical Winter Forest, Canada - First Nations' tradition speaks of this Quebec forest as home to a number of supernatural creatures, including the Tshikapesh, which has the ability to change its size and shape.

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Robinson Woods, USA - This Illinois woodland is rumored to be home to spirits who manifest as lights between the trees. There have also been stories of deer approaching visitors during the day for no reason.

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Dow Hill, India - During the 19th century, a school called the Victoria Boys School was built here. This was also about the same time rumors of ghosts began to circulate. Locals claim a headless boy roams the forest.

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Daintree Forest, Australia - The name of the forest pays homage to the geologist and photographer Richard Daintree, who was the first European to discover the region and who carried out some of his most important work under the Daintree Forest canopy.

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Auvergne Forest, France -

One particular legend associated with this forest is that of a gold wolf which hunted down sheep, but was one day confronted by a young woman and forever trapped in the woods. The reality is that Auvergne has been the scene of many bloody conflicts and revolts throughout history.

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The enchanted forests that look like they're straight out of a fairy tale -