While many people spend their summers camping at the edge of the forest, mountain biking through the trees, or spotting wildlife above the treetops, it's safe to say that we only know a small portion of what really lies within these forests. In fact, explorers and scientists are only just scratching the surface of the four billion hectares of forests hidden on our planet - which means there's still treasure to be found. But if they're anything like these bizarre things ordinary people discovered, they might want to stop their explorations before things get weird... keep scrolling to see what we mean.
A Strange Stone Sphere
Many archaeologists plan explorations of the forest in an effort to understand more about these ecosystems and the history around them. And that's exactly what Bosnian archaeologist Sam Osmanagich did in 2016. He made his way to the Podubravlje Forest in his home country, hoping for some buried treasure, when he stumbled across the most unusual object. It was half-buried in the ground, but he could see that it was in the shape of a sphere.
It was 1.5 meters in diameter and weighed a whopping 30 tons, and after testing, he discovered that it was actually made from volcanic rock. But the answers ended there. It still remains a mystery today.
Zombie Fungus Latches Onto Animal Brain for Survival
Fungus is pretty gruesome on its own, but have you ever heard of zombie fungus? Well, you'll probably agree that the extra zombie aspect just makes it even more terrifying, especially as this stuff has actually been found in the forests of Bhutan, Thailand, and Korea. What makes this particular fungus so different is the fact that it quite literally uses animals as a way to survive. In fact, it latches onto their brains.
Yes, if an animal comes close to the fungus, the spores will spread into the animal's brain and force the animal to climb as high as possible to the top of the trees. Then, the animal will die, and the spores will spread even further.
Earthen Rings in the Amazon
Although much of the world's forests have remained unexplored, none are as mysterious as the Amazon jungle. This huge expanse of trees has secrets unlike any other place on earth, and this can be seen when you look at these earthen rings found in the Bolivian and Brazilian Amazon rainforest in 2014. To this day, scientists have no idea what they are or what they mean. But they do know that they were man-made.
Not only that, but the exploration of this site has also confirmed that these rings were made before the rainforest even existed. This simply adds more questions to the unanswered question pile.
A Dark Forest Monster
Many people plan explorations in the forest to uncover buried treasure. So, imagine someone's surprise when, instead of stumbling across a treasure chest of gold, they stumbled across this dark forest monster. What's so bizarre about this tree monster is that it's hard to determine whether it's a result of natural tree growth or whether it was specifically designed to look as though it wants to suck out our souls.
But one thing we do know is that we don't ever want to come across this guy while walking through the woods, especially if the sun is just starting to set.
Pennies In A Tree
So many trees are found in the forest. In most instances, that's all you can find! But every so often, people come across something that's out of the ordinary, like a tree that's covered in pennies. But what's so bizarre about this discovery is that these pennies had to have been hammered in individually by someone. So, who did it? And why did they do it? It just doesn't make any sense.
It's not known where this log was found, but we'd love to know whether anyone else has seen anything like this before. Is this a common thing that's found in the forest? Or is this one-of-a-kind?
The World's Largest Flower
Indonesia is covered in trees and jungle, and much of what lies within the forests of Indonesia has remained a secret for centuries. But in 2020, something extraordinary was uncovered. Scientists couldn't believe their eyes when they stumbled upon this bizarre flower, as the Rafflesia arnoldii is considered to be one of the rarest flowers in the whole world. Not to mention that it's also the biggest flower in the whole world.
This discovery made the record books, measuring 3 feet long and weighing a whopping 15 pounds. However, as this flower is known for smelling like rotting meat, scientists wanted to get away from it pretty quickly!
A Tree Struck By Lightning
When you walk through the forest, you expect to see a whole host of different trees. From big trees to small trees and then spindly trees, these things come in all different shapes and forms. However, have you ever seen a tree struck by lightning? The person who took this photo found it in the forest, and they couldn't believe their eyes when they spotted the Ponderosa Pine Tree on fire. As a result of the lightning strike, it looked like a ghost of its former self.
Thankfully, this tree was the only one affected by the lightning strike, and there was no bigger effect on the wildlife or the other trees. This picture will haunt us forever, though.
A WWII Plane
During WWII, countless planes went down. And while the large majority of them were found and disposed of in the proper fashion, that wasn't the case for all of them. In fact, in 1972, a group of explorers stumbled across a Boeing B-17E bomber sitting in the swamps of Papua New Guinea. Nobody had known it was there, and its condition came as a big surprise. After all, there was still coffee in the Thermos flasks.
It was later discovered that the pilot and the men onboard the plane had been able to land the plane safely and make their way out of the jungle uninjured, but the 'Swamp Ghost' plane was left untouched for over three decades.
Bright Purple Mushroom
The world is full of fungus. From the mushrooms you can buy in the grocery store to the mushrooms that grow in the wild, most experts would say that they've found all of the fungus there is to find. But in 2017, a bizarre and bright purple mushroom was found in the forest. It was discovered by a hiker exploring the forests of Pennsylvania - and they instantly knew that it wasn't something they could eat.
And while this mushroom looks incredibly toxic, it's important to note that some bright purple mushrooms aren't toxic. However, you probably shouldn't take the risk if you find one yourself.
An Abandoned Robot
We live in a world full of technological advancements, and robots are part and parcel of our modern world. And while the average person doesn't have their own robot butler to do their laundry, that's not to say that the average person can't build their own. We can only assume that's what happened here. But when they couldn't get their robot to work, they decided to abandon it amongst the trees so that someone else could find it in the forest.
Nevertheless, we'd be pretty surprised if we saw an abandoned robot in front of us. We've seen enough robot conspiracy movies to know that robots aren't always the good guys.
An Inactive Missile
You often hear stories of unexploded bombs found under the foundations of old houses, but what would you do if you found a missile in the forest? We bet the hikers who found this in 2019 in Tennessee were pretty alarmed when they stumbled across this thing. Let's hope that they immediately called the police and were able to confirm that it was inactive. The last thing anyone wants is an active missile anywhere near them.
While not much else is known about this missile, smart internet users have come to the conclusion that this wasn't just any missile - it was an "Honest John" missile used primarily throughout the 1950s.
Haunted Tree
You probably don't need us to tell you that trees are beautiful. The knots in the bark, the twirling branches, and the huge size make trees an impressive addition to the world. But every so often, there's a tree that gives you the creeps, and this is one of them. Found in the forest (obviously), this tree looks more like a demon than a gift from Mother Nature. And it's absolutely terrifying.
Yes, this tree is scary in the daylight, but we dread to think what it would look like when the sun sets, and the moon can be seen through the demonic face.
A Candlelit Altar
One thing this list is teaching us is that the forest is a scary place. You never know what you're going to stumble upon, and apparently, there's a high chance that you'll come across a creepy candlelit altar that screams "horror movie" vibes. And when it comes to altars, this is probably one of the scariest ones we've seen so far - as you can visibly see, it's used on a regular basis.
In a way, we hope that this was just a Halloween prank pulled by kids who didn't know what else to do with their free time. But we also have a feeling that isn't the case.
The Hanging Toilets
Sometimes, the outskirts of the forest are just as creepy as the deep depths of the forest - and these hanging toilets are a prime example of that. What's so bizarre about these toilets found in the forest is the fact that they were brand-new toilets. Around $1,500 worth of brand-new toilets, to be exact. Someone then took them all to the edge of the forest, where they hung them from trees and threw them on the floor.
Nobody knows what the purpose of this was, but we just hope that the wildlife has made use of them, at least. Let's hope they're now home to a family of raccoons or something.
The Alien-Like Betz Sphere
There have been so many things found in the forest over the years, and while some can be explained, there are many others that can't. Take the Betz Sphere, for example. This perfect sphere was found in Florida during the 1970s, and it instantly caused a stir. Not only did it look like something like an alien planet, but it started acting as though it was from an alien planet, too.
Yes, it made bizarre noises, it moved without human interaction, and it even vibrated when it was exposed to music. Because of this, many people believed that it had been put on Earth by aliens.
An Old Crematorium in the Middle of Nowhere
You probably don't need us to tell you that some of the best (and creepiest) horror movies have taken place in the forest. Under the cover of darkness and the cover of the trees, the forest becomes one of the scariest places ever. But what if you added an abandoned crematorium into the mix? Luckily, the hikers who found this managed to find it during the day, so it wasn't as creepy as it could be, but it still raised their eyebrows.
To this day, it's not known how long this crematorium has sat abandoned, when it was built, or even when it was most active. But one thing we do know is that it gives us the heebie-jeebies.
A Dragon’s Head
When you head into the forest, there's a high chance that you will spend your time searching for wildlife or searching for treasure below your feet. But what would you do if you came across a giant dragon's head? The person who took this photo was obviously surprised when they saw this giant dragon-like figure in front of them, and it's believed that this is just a creative art installation by someone who wanted to bring a bit of fun to the forest.
By using a large rock as their base, they were able to create the teeth and the eyes using smaller rocks - and the whole thing is extremely effective and realistic.
A Scary Abandoned House
It takes a brave person to walk through the forest when the sun has set, and the cold temperatures make it misty, and it seems as though the person who took this photo was definitely one of those people. When they decided to walk through the creepy forests of Russia, they had no idea what they'd come across - or if they'd come across anything at all. And that's when they spotted this scary abandoned house in front of them.
The appearance alone is enough to have you running in the opposite direction, but it's the unknown that makes it even creepier. Who lived there? Why was it abandoned? How long had it been there?
A Ghost Girl
If you're a fan of wildlife, there's a high chance that you head out into the woods and take photos of the animals and the nature that surrounds you. In fact, you might even set up timer cameras so you don't have to stick around for too long. An explorer decided to do the same in 2017 in Washington County, New York - but when they looked at the final images, they realized that animals weren't the only things hidden in the forest.
What looked like a ghost girl appeared in the photo, creeping out all those who saw it. However, it turns out that this was just an innocent picture of a girl who was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
A Moss-Covered Boot
The forest is full of secrets, and those secrets can quickly overwhelm you. Take this moss-covered boot, for example. This boot was found in the forest a few years ago, but how it got there and how long it had been there still remains a mystery to this day. And what we can't quite understand is how the forest has completely taken over the boot - except for the sole.
If we didn't know that this boot was found in the forest, we would have assumed that the boot was made to look as though it was covered in green moss. Alas, that isn't the case at all.
An Abandoned Train Tunnel
There's nothing better than finding a new hiking route. And while most people don't try to find abandoned train tunnels while they're hiking, unsuspecting hikers did just that in 2019. They were walking through the forests of the United States and saw something unusual in the distance. On closer inspection, they realized that what they were looking at was a tunnel of some sort. To them, it was pretty creepy.
When they shared their findings with experts, it was discovered that the train tunnel had been used during the 1700s and 1800s but had been abandoned for centuries. Let's hope they didn't go inside.
A Demogorgon Plant
If you have watched Stranger Things, you'll understand why this plant has been named the Demogorgan Plant. With its tentacle-like leaves, this plant is one of the strangest and creepiest-looking things ever found in the forest. But that's not its only name. This plant has also been nicknamed "Devil's Fingers" and "Octopus Stinkhorn." But where was this plant found? Well, it was found in Tasmania in the 1980s - but it's not exactly common.
This rare plant can only be found in certain areas of the world, and that's probably a good thing, too. Those who have been around this plant will all tell you that it smells just like rotten meat.
Scary Signs in the Forest
Heading off on an exploration is all well and good until you come across creepy signs like this. And while it's not uncommon to see signs out and about on street corners and at crossroads, seeing them in the middle of the forest and looking like this is enough to make you run in the opposite direction. What is this sign even trying to warn people off? Are monsters trying to grab you while you're trying to run away?
Let's just hope that these signs were put up by other hikers with a warped sense of humor and that there isn't really anything with multiple hands trying to grab you in the forest.
The Epping Forest Sword
When you think of old England, you might think of knights on horseback and fair maidens being locked in towers. And while much of this history has been dramatized for television and film, there's no denying that life was once like that. In fact, a discovery in Epping Forest proved that swords, suits, and armor were a real thing. And what's even more amazing about this sword found in the forest is that the forest is home to a whopping 55,000 trees.
Despite its huge size, a hiker stumbled across an old sword from Anglo-Saxon England. It was even found stuck in a tree, which gives off major 'The Sword and the Stone' vibes.
A Stripped-Out Helicopter
Most of us have seen a helicopter at some point in our lives. But in 2018, a group of hikers were surprised when they stumbled across an old stripped-out helicopter standing amongst the trees. As you can imagine, they were pretty confused. For starters, they didn't understand why a helicopter would be there in the first place. But secondly, they didn't understand why it had been stripped out and left to rust.
Had the helicopter been involved in some kind of accident? Or had it legitimately landed there and forgotten where it had parked, so bored youngsters decided to rip it apart? We guess we'll never know.
The Historic Moore Hall Taken Over by Nature
Sometimes, the past and the present can collide in the forest with a tangle of trees and bricks. And that's exactly what's happened in County Mayo, Ireland. There was once a time when the historic Moore Hall was one of the most stunning buildings in the country. It was surrounded by beautiful grounds and decorated with ornate furnishings. But then the IRA burned Moore Hall almost to the ground, and only the ruins remained.
Over the years, wildlife has taken the building as its own, and those who walk through the forest will just see crumbling bricks in its wake. However, it's in the process of being refurbished.
The Forrest Fenn Treasure
For years, rumors of the Forrest Fenn Treasure ran rampant. Legend had it that a wealthy art dealer had hidden $1 million worth of treasure in the trees of the Rocky Mountains, creating a treasure map full of clues that he had hoped a smart explorer would be able to decode. As you can imagine, countless explorers tried to find this treasure and reap the glory that came with it.
But it wasn't until 2020 that a lucky medical student by the name of Jack Stuef managed to decode the clues and find the treasure. Instead of keeping the treasure, he eventually decided to sell it for cash.
Ancient Runestones
It's always amazing when ancient artifacts are found in the forest. These things can often answer questions that we had about the past and fill in some of the blanks that we had about certain civilizations. That's why these ancient runestones were such an impressive discovery. When they were discovered in the forests of Sweden, experts were able to trace them back to the Viking era. Amazingly, over 2000 were found.
Apparently, these runestones were used as a way for the Vikings to honor friends and family who had passed away, and they put them in the forest to keep them safe and protected from the rest of the world.
An Abandoned Sanitorium
When you think of creepy things found in the forest, there's a high chance that you think of something like this. After all, most people would run away if they stumbled upon an abandoned sanitorium hidden amongst the trees. But this discovery has become a real money-maker, as many explorers now hike through the forest and pay the $12 ticket to see this abandoned sanitorium in Brandenburg, Germany, for themselves.
Although you're not allowed inside the sanitorium, a path through the forest has now been cleared so that people can get up close and personal with the building. Would you do it?
The World's Largest Water Lily
The world's largest water lily is definitely something you should have on your radar. But in a bizarre turn of events, this water lily was actually hidden in plain sight for almost 200 years! When the lily pad was finally discovered at the historic Royal Botanical Gardens in Kew, England, experts realized that it had actually been there much longer than they thought. That's because it had previously been misidentified as a Victoria Amazonica.
In reality, though, it was a Victoria boliviana - a new species that had yet to be discovered. After 177 years, the experts realized that they had been mistaken, and a new record was made.
A Prehistoric Cave
If you love to take your dog on big adventures to stretch their legs, there's a high chance that you don't head off into the forest. But that's exactly what four teenagers did in 1940. They took their dog to the Vezere River Valley in Montignanc, France, and what they found in the forest changed everything we thought we knew about the history of the world. That's because they stumbled across a prehistoric cave.
Now called the Lascaux Grotto, they discovered that this cave was covered in prehistoric cave drawings and markings that taught historians even more about this time in history. And it was a pretty big deal.
An Ancient Mayan City
If you head to the Yucatan area of Mexico, you'll be surrounded by jungle. There are trees and mangroves everywhere, as well as secret sinkholes and cenotes hidden amongst the trees. But in 2016, something else was uncovered in the jungle - and that was a long-lost Mayan city. And to make matters even more unbelievable, this long-lost city was discovered by a 15-year-old boy when he read the stars.
Through his stargazing adventures and his own research, he was able to pinpoint where this city was - and satellite imagery has been able to confirm his theory. At the time of writing, however, it has yet to be explored in person.
A Medieval Treasure Trove
Many people dream of finding treasure one day, and while it seldom happens, that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. In fact, there have been a few major discoveries found in the woods over the years, and when two hikers stumbled across a whole host of treasures in the woods of Romania, they were amazed by what they had found. They uncovered 500-year-old coins, jewelry, old ceramics, and more.
When these items were sent off for testing, it was discovered that they were forged and made during the reign of Vladislaus II. This meant that the treasure had been there for over 500 years.
Amazon’s Boiling River
The Amazon rainforest is a huge area of land that has remained largely unexplored. But one of the weirdest things found in this forest is the boiling river. At an incredible four miles long, it's the only boiling river in the world - and that makes it pretty special. In fact, locals believe that this boiling river was created by the Mother of the Waters, a serpent goddess called Yucamama. According to legend, only those with immense spiritual power are able to pass through the boiling waters.
Of course, that might also have something to do with the fact that the boiling waters can reach up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit - which is a fair bit hotter than your average bath water.
The Eighth Wonder of the World
Traditionally, there have been seven wonders of the world. But as more of the world has been explored, more potential wonders have made their way into the limelight. And when experts stumbled across Sigiriya in Sri Lanka, they knew that they had found something special. There, sitting at the top of a rock mountain and surrounded by forest, were the ruins of an ancient castle covered in fifth-century, pre-Christian frescoes. UNESCO immediately took hold of this site of archaeological interest.
In fact, UNESCO now believes this site to be the eighth wonder of the world. And while this hasn't been officially confirmed, there's no doubt about the fact that others share their opinion.
A 700-Year-Old Iron Spearhead
Many things that are found in the forest are found due to metal detectors. These people use their tools to search below the surface of the ground, and sometimes they find buried treasure. That happened in 2023 when metal detectorists searched a forest in Poland. In fact, they found a 700-year-old iron spearhead buried in the soil. As you can imagine, they were pretty proud of their discovery and wanted to show it off.
With expert research and advice, the detectorists were able to uncover the historic secrets of the spearhead. They discovered that it was reportedly used by those who lived between 1000 and 1300 A.D.
The Alte Taufe
There are so many unexplained things around the world, and Germany is full of them, too. You can see this for yourself if you head into the Deister Forest down a designated six-mile trail that leads you to the Alte Taufe. This sandstone monument may be impressive to look at, but its history is even more impressive - mostly because nobody has any idea where it came from or how it got there. In fact, archaeologists are stumped.
According to locals, this altar may have been used for sacrifices and baptisms back in the day. But historians and archaeologists alike haven't been able to confirm or deny these claims.