As Halloween draws near, the chilling spectacles of the world never fail to captivate. Whether it’s the enigmatic depths of Germany’s Black Forest or the eerie locale nestled within the North Carolina woods, known ominously as the Devil’s Tramping Ground, the allure of haunted places remains undiminished. As the night of All Hallows’ Eve approaches, prepare for an unforgettable journey into the realms of the unknown, where the shadows come alive and the spirits awaken
Isla de las Munecas, Mexico
The ‘Island of the Dolls’ in Xochimilco, just outside Mexico City, perhaps would’ve been like any other island had its trees not been adorned with numerous baby dolls with rumors they move at night. As the local legend goes, the dolls are homage to the lost soul of a girl who drowned in mysterious circumstances, and the island’s caretaker, who found the girl, strung up her doll as sort of memorial to her.
Wychwood Forest, England
Hands reaching out to grab shoulders, the thundering hooves of invisible horses, and spine-tingling sounds during the night make Wychwood Forest one of the scariest woods in the country, if not the world. The former royal hunting grounds have been at the center of a number of spooky sightings, including apparitions of crying children in a horse-drawn carriage, and the ghost of Amy Robsart, the wife of the Earl of Leicester, who died mysteriously.
Black Forest, Germany
Little sunlight breaks through the first of the densely-packed Black Forest, which is the setting of so many of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales. Headless horsemen mounted on white steeds, a king who kidnaps lone women to whisk them away to his underwater lair, and werewolves who come out on the full moon are just some of the myths surrounding the almost-impenetrable forest.
The Devil’s Tramping Ground, North Carolina
In the rolling hills of Chatham County lies one of the most famous haunted spots in North Carolina: The Devil’s Tramping Ground, a circle of about 40 feet in diameter where nothing, not even a weed, will grow. For years, locals have tried to plant seeds, but to no avail. Locals say that even any object placed inside this circle will have been flung out by dawn, and those who dare to spend the night inside the cursed space are driven mad.
Dow Hill Forest, India
Around 18 miles from Darjeeling lies reportedly the most haunted hill station in India, where there’s no shortage of paranormal activity. Known for its beautiful orchid gardens and vast tea plantations, the area is also plagued by the ghost of a headless young boy who wanders along a path that’s been nicknamed death road.