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"People refer to this spot an enigmatic zone of Transylvania," explains an experienced guide, his breath producing puffs of vapor in the crisp dusk atmosphere. "So many individuals have disappeared here, some say it's a portal to a different realm." Marius is escorting a visitor on a evening stroll through commonly known as the planet's most ghostly forest: Hoia-Baciu, an area covering one square mile of old-growth local woods on the edges of the metropolis of Cluj-Napoca.

Hundreds of Years of Enigma

Reports of strange happenings here extend back centuries – the grove is titled for a area shepherd who is reportedly went missing in the far-off times, along with 200 of his sheep. But Hoia-Baciu gained global recognition in 1968, when an army specialist called Emil Barnea photographed what he claimed was a unidentified flying object suspended above a oval meadow in the heart of the forest.

Many came in here and failed to return. But rest assured," he continues, turning to the visitor with a grin. "Our tours have a perfect safety record."

In the time after, Hoia-Baciu has drawn meditation experts, spiritual healers, extraterrestrial investigators and ghost hunters from worldwide, eager to feel the strange energies reported to reverberate through the forest.

Modern Threats

Although it is among the planet's leading destinations for lovers of the paranormal, this woodland is under threat. The western suburbs of Cluj-Napoca – a contemporary technology center of more than 400,000 people, called the Silicon Valley of eastern Europe – are encroaching, and construction companies are pushing for approval to cut down the woods to construct residential buildings.

Aside from a few hectares housing regionally uncommon Mediterranean oak trees, the forest is not officially protected, but Marius hopes that the initiative he was instrumental in creating – the Hoia-Baciu Project – will assist in altering this, encouraging the government officials to recognise the forest's value as a visitor destination.

Spooky Experiences

While branches and seasonal debris break and crackle beneath their footwear, the guide describes some of the folk tales and alleged supernatural events here.

• A well-known account describes a young child going missing during a family picnic, later to rematerialise five years later with complete amnesia of the events, without aging a day, her garments shy of the tiniest bit of soil.
• More common reports explain mobile phones and photography gear mysteriously turning off on venturing inside.
• Emotional responses range from absolute fear to feelings of joy.
• Some people state seeing unusual marks on their skin, perceiving disembodied whispers through the forest, or experience fingers clutching them, despite being convinced they're by themselves.

Scientific Investigations

Although numerous of the stories may be hard to prove, numerous elements clearly observable that is certainly unusual. All around are plants whose bases are curved and contorted into unusual forms.

Multiple explanations have been suggested to account for the misshapen plants: strong gales could have bent the saplings, or typically increased radioactivity in the soil cause their strange formation.

But formal examinations have discovered inconclusive results.

The Legendary Opening

Marius's excursions enable visitors to take part in a little scientific inquiry of their own. As we approach the opening in the trees where Barnea photographed his well-known UFO pictures, he gives his guest an EMF meter which detects electromagnetic fields.

"We're venturing into the most active area of the forest," he comments. "Discover what's here."

The trees immediately cease as they step into a perfect circle. The only greenery is the low vegetation beneath the ground; it's apparent that it's naturally occurring, and seems that this bizarre meadow is organic, not the creation of landscaping.

Between Reality and Imagination

Transylvania generally is a area which fuels fantasy, where the division is unclear between truth and myth. In rural Romanian communities faith continues in strigoi ("screamers") – supernatural, shapeshifting vampires, who rise from their graves to frighten regional populations.

Bram Stoker's well-known character Dracula is always connected with Transylvania, and the historic stronghold – a Saxon monolith located on a rocky outcrop in the Carpathian Mountains – is heavily promoted as "Dracula's Castle".

But even folklore-rich Transylvania – actually, "the land past the woods" – feels real and understandable compared to the haunted grove, which seem to be, for causes nuclear, environmental or simply folkloric, a hub for creative energy.

"Within this forest," Marius comments, "the line between truth and fantasy is remarkably blurred."