Gespensterwald, Nienhagen, Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, Germany

© mauritius images GmbH/Alamy Stock Phot

Mysterious woods by the sea. Gespensterwald, Nienhagen, Germany

In the coastal region of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania in Germany lies the Gespensterwald, which means 'Ghost Forest,' seen in today's image. This spine-tingling forest covers about 445 acres (180 hectares), with its gnarled beech, hornbeam, ash and oak trees twisting toward the sky. The salty sea air from the Baltic Sea and the moist climate contribute to the trees' distorted shapes, giving rise to the forest's haunted moniker. Visitors experience light-hearted brushes with the supernatural, such as the crunch of dead leaves, a friendly spirit waving hello from afar or a mischievous ghost peeking from behind a tree. The strategic lighting, which casts ghostly shadows, along with the sculptures and decorations placed along the path, are elements that enhance the forest's ghostly aura throughout the year.

To learn more, sign up for a storytelling session where actors dressed as ghosts bring local legends and folktales to life. Photographers and nature enthusiasts alike find inspiration in the eerie silhouettes etched against the sky, immortalised in countless pictures.