LONDON, April 19 (Reuters) – We live in a beautiful world.In honor of Earth Day on April 22, online travel adviser Cheapflights.com has picked its top 10favorite forests from across the planet.
From lush rainforests, watery wonders, ancient woodlands and more in-between; reconnect with nature at one of these stunning spots. Reuters has not endorsed this list:
1.Crooked Forest, Poland
Looking like it fell out of a surreal Salvador Dali painting, the Crooked Forest (Krzywy Las) outside Nowe Czarnowo,Poland, has intrigued the public for more than 80 years.The grove of about 400 pines was planted around 1930 in the former German province of Pomerania. The accepted cause of the forest’s distinctive curve is some form of man-made tool or technique, but the method and motive remain unknown.
The Crooked Forest. Photo by KILLTHEMWITHKINDNESS
2.Sagano Bamboo Forest, Japan
On the outskirts of Kyoto, Arashiyama has been a tourist hot-spot since the 8th century. The park is particularly popular when the spring cherry blossoms bloom and in the autumn when the forest takes on a hue of fiery oranges and reds.Within this nationally designated Historic Site and Place of Scenic Beauty lies the impressive bamboo forest of Sagano. A path cuts through the towering bamboo grove and when the sun is shining and a gentle breeze is blowing, the setting is truly picturesque.
Visitors in Sagano Bamboo Forest. Photo by Antti T. Nissinen
3.Black Forest, Germany
No list of enchanting forests would be complete without the Black Forest (Schwarzwald) in Germany. This wooded mountain range in Baden-Württemberg was named by the Romans because dense conifers blocked out most of the light inside the forest. The forest is ripe with peaks, rivers, lakes, towns,waterfalls, footpaths, mountain biking and cross-country skiing trails and unique wildlife.But it’s not just natural beauty on offer. The area has strong culture that includes a tradition of wood-carving (particularly Cuckoo Clocks) and food (Black Forest ham, gateau and gourmet cuisine).
Dense conifers of the Black Forest. Photo by Jan Jacobsen
4.Caddo Lake, United States
Despite the name, this is one fantastic forest. Located on the border between Texas and Louisiana, Caddo Lake is a 25,400-acre maze of waterways, bayous, sloughs, channels,islands and cypress thickets dripping with Spanish moss.Named after the South Eastern Native Americans who lived in the area until their expulsion in the 19th century, the lake is home to the world’s largest cypress forest.This internationally protected wetland hosts a variety of wildlife, including beavers, woodpeckers, owls and even alligators.
Glide along Caddo Lake. Photo by Robert Nunnally