Most beautiful forest in the world

Few earthly experiences are as soothing—or as humbling—as standing in the middle of a beautiful forest, trees towering around you in every direction. Yet throughout the world, from North America's national parks to a remote island off of Yemen, you can find these commanding, verdant woodlands, some so otherworldly it's hard to believe they're real.

Whether you're looking for a little trip inspiration or need a virtual escape, these shots of 2,000-year-old redwoods, thick green bamboo, and pines surrounded by carpets of bluebells ought to take you away. From Belgium to California, and Colombia to Spain, these are 13 of the most beautiful forests in the world.

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Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kyoto, Japan

While we could go on about the ethereal glow and seemingly endless heights of this bamboo grove on the outskirts of Kyoto, the pleasures here extend beyond the visual realm. If you close your eyes, tune out the other tourists, and listen to the wind—wood creaking, leaves rustling—you'll experience the true beauty of the destination. In 1996, the local Ministry of the Environment even included Arashiyama as one of the country's top 100 Soundscapes of Japan, an initiative to combat noise pollution and encourage people to take in the sounds of the natural world.

Photo by Steffen Egly

Black Forest, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Stretching across southwest Germany is the Black Forest, a wooded mountain range known for its dense 100-mile stretch of pine trees, picturesque villages, natural thermal spas, and, believe it or not, the invention of the cuckoo clock. The area doesn’t just look like a scene out of a storybook, though—legend says the Brothers Grimm drew inspiration from the forested area in their native country for fairy tales like Hansel and Gretel and Rapunzel.

Alamy

Otzarreta Forest, Basque Country, Spain

The Basque Country's Gorbea Natural Park is a protected area filled with mountain views, hiking trails, waterfalls, and caves. But it's the enigmatic Otzarreta Forest within the park that has captured the eye of many a photographer (and Pinterest user), with its mossy surfaces and ancient trees.

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The Amazon, South America

Covering roughly 40 percent of South America, including parts of Brazil, Peru, and Colombia, the Amazon is the largest rainforest on Earth, and home to more than 40,000 plant species and 1,300 bird species alone. But be sure to visit the winding rivers and diverse wildlife while you can—climate change (along with man-made fires) is increasingly whittling away the habitat every day.

Photo by Steffen Egly

Black Forest, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Stretching across southwest Germany is the Black Forest, a wooded mountain range known for its dense 100-mile stretch of pine trees, picturesque villages, natural thermal spas, and, believe it or not, the invention of the cuckoo clock. The area doesn’t just look like a scene out of a storybook, though—legend says the Brothers Grimm drew inspiration from the forested area in their native country for fairy tales like Hansel and Gretel and Rapunzel.