Exploring Romania’s Haunting Hoia-Baciu Forest at Night

Cluj-Napoca, Romania – The Hoia-Baciu forest, often referred to as the world’s most haunted forest, offers a unique experience for thrill-seekers and believers in the paranormal. Guided night tours led by experts like Marius Lazin reveal the eerie charm of the forest, located just outside the city of Cluj-Napoca.

“They call this place the Bermuda Triangle of Transylvania,” said Lazin as he illuminated the twisted trees with his torch on a recent walk. The forest spans an area of a square mile and has been shrouded in mystery and folklore, with reports of mysterious disappearances and bizarre occurrences dating back centuries.

The forest is named after a shepherd who vanished with his flock, but it gained international attention in 1968 when a military technician, Emil Barnea, photographed a UFO above a clearing in the woods. Since then, Hoia-Baciu has attracted countless yogis, shamans, and paranormal investigators drawn by tales of strange energies and unexplained phenomena.

According to Lazin, the forest is under threat from urban development as the city’s suburbs expand. Cluj-Napoca, a tech hub with a population of over 400,000, is pushing to clear parts of the forest for new apartment complexes. To combat this, Lazin co-founded a company that aims to promote the forest’s tourism potential and encourage its protection.

During the tour, Lazin shared chilling stories of alleged occurrences, such as a five-year-old girl who disappeared for five years before returning unharmed, and others who claim to hear whispers or feel unseen forces. “Many came in here and never came out. But don’t worry, our tours have a 100% return rate,” he joked.

The forest contains numerous twisted trees that add to its bizarre allure. Some appear to have been warped by storm winds or other natural elements, but researchers have yet to find evidence explaining their unusual shapes.

As the group entered a circular clearing reputed to be a hotspot for paranormal activity, Lazin handed out EMF meters to detect electromagnetic fields. Visitors often report strange fluctuations upon entering this space. Despite the anticipation, it was the sound of a phone notification that proved to be the source of excitement during the visit.

While many stories surrounding Hoia-Baciu remain anecdotal, the juxtaposition of local folklore and personal experiences creates a captivating experience for those brave enough to wander through its depths. “In Hoia-Baciu, the line between reality and imagination is very thin,” Lazin said.