Truly epic forests and woodlands to visit in the UK and around the world

If you are a wanderlust traveler who loves to surround yourself with the beauty of nature, you will feel right at home in the world’s most beautiful forests. Bursting with incredible life and providing a serene space in which to get in touch with the planet, it doesn’t get much better than a woodland hike! Add these epic forests to your bucket list and let nature guide you through the world.

The Takayna/Tarkine Forest

In Australia’s Tasmania, you can travel back in time in the Takayna/Tarkine woodlands to witness how the Earth looked 300 million years ago. This ancient land of ethereal forest consists  of waterfalls, rivers, caves and plenty of gorgeous tree species. See if you can spot the 3000-year-old Huon pines, the second oldest tree species on Earth!

Yakushima Forest

In Japan, Yakusugi trees rise tall and mighty from the moss-covered ground in the Yakushima forest. This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful wooded areas in the world, making it a must for every nature lover to tread gently through. In fact, in the 17th century, it was considered so breathtaking that the royalty of the time recreated the landscape in their own garden on the mainland. Nothing, however, can quite emanate the fairy-tale landscape of the real thing.

The Amazon Rainforest

How can we talk about forests without mentioning the Amazon? With an awe-inspiring range of wildlife calling this humid, lush environment home, it is a hub of biodiversity. In fact, 10% of all the world’s species live here! Take in the tropics and come face to face with one of the planet’s most incredible natural wonders.

Avenue of the Baobabs

Go back hundreds of years, and the now ancient trees that stand in the Avenue of the Baobabs were part of an incredible tropical forest. Deforestation, unfortunately, has led to most of the trees now beening lost, and now only around twenty of the unique Baobab species remain here, standing proud and tall on the sides of the famous dirt road.

Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

Head up to the highlands of California to discover some of the oldest trees on Earth at the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest which is still teeming with life You can trace your hand along the bark of trees which have stood for thousands of years, watching an ever-changing world grow around them and now witnessing you, the wanderlust traveller. Be sure to look out for Methuselah, a 4,841-year-old tree that is protected within the woods!

Crooked Forest

In Poland is an incredible man-made forest that’s shrouded in mystery: the Crooked Forest. The woodlands are full of very strangely curved and crooked pine trees that remain a curiosity: no one knows why or how they were made! Some think they were planted purposefully like this to build ships, others wonder if they were crushed by tanks in the Second World War and have adapted to their new shape. Whatever the reason, it truly is a spectacle!

UK’s Top Ancient Woodlands

Here is a list of ancient woodlands in the UK:

Banagher Glen – County Derry

If you are looking for untouched woodlands, head to Banagher Glen in Ireland. This stretch of land is almost completely left to nature, and is full of river cut ravines which are home to a whole host of tree species. Steep and rugged, trees grow gnarled out of cliff edges and rivers rush through the ancient landscape. This may not be a forest for the fainthearted, but if you are looking for true beauty, here you will find it in abundance.

King’s Woods – Kent

King’s Woods used to be a treacherous place for lone travellers in centuries past. The small church set just before the start of the ancient land was a meeting place for pilgrims who had to pass through the woods on their way to Canterbury. They would wait at the church until there was a sufficient number of people to move forward together. Nowadays you are less likely to be robbed, and more likely to be blown away by the gorgeous wildlife that flourishes in this small haven in the South East of England.

Epping Forest – Essex

Once probably a royal hunting ground under the rule of Henry III, Epping Forest is now a sprawling land of pollarded trees open to the public. With a long and not always pleasant history – it was rife with highway robbery, and once said to be a spot where Dick Turpin would hide out and wait for unsuspecting travellers – it is well worth a visit. The pollarded trees are a sign that this was once a working wood, though now the trees are fully in retirement. If you head here for a wander, be sure to

keep your eyes peeled for the beautiful deer that call this land home!

Coed Craig Ruperra – South Wales

Located in South Wales, Coed Craig Ruperra is currently being recovered. Full of broad-leaved trees, this woodland was on the verge of disaster when the Ruperra Conservation Trust took over, and now an army of volunteers have been working tirelessly to cut back the cherry laurels and rhododendrons that have been trying to strong-arm the space. Try to spot the old iron age hill fort on your trip!

Forest of Dean – Gloucestershire

Forest of Dean is England’s biggest oak forest. With a long history including being involved in the Spanish Armada and a mine since medieval times, we highly recommend reading up on this landscape before you visit. It is full of incredible relics hiding away amongst the awe-inspiring oaks which have grown strong and tall whilst the world changes constantly around them.

Learn More About Tree Species With EcoChoice

At EcoChoice, we love exploring beautiful forests and coming face to face with rare tree species. As sustainable timber experts, it is an activity from which we cannot tire! If you would like to know more about the trees you are seeing when you visit these incredible forests, be sure to check out our tree species guide on our website.

Images: dugdax, trabantos, Al To, worldclassphoto, Vaclav Sebek, Kris Wiktor / Shutterstock.com