Top forest destinations and woodland landscapes
Top forest destinations and woodland landscapes
Charming woodland trails and ancient forests
Forest travel encompasses some of the world's most biodiverse and ecologically significant environments, with the great tropical rainforests, temperate old growth systems and boreal wilderness zones offering experiences that range from accessible day walks to serious multi-day expeditions through largely undisturbed wilderness. The most rewarding forest destinations combine exceptional biodiversity with enough visitor infrastructure to make extended exploration practical without compromising the qualities that make the environment worth visiting.
The sensory experience of old growth and primary forest is qualitatively different from secondary and managed woodland, with canopy height, structural complexity and the density of life in undisturbed systems producing an atmosphere that logged and replanted forests cannot replicate. Wildlife encounters, endemic plant species and the particular quality of light and sound in primary forest reward slow and attentive travel over itineraries that prioritise coverage.
Guided access is strongly recommended in the most biodiverse and remote forest environments, where navigation, wildlife identification and safety all benefit considerably from local expertise. Heat, humidity and insects are constants in tropical zones and require appropriate preparation. Many of the world's most significant forest destinations sit within protected areas with entry fees and permit systems that require advance planning.
Lists by region
National Park in Malaysia
Mulu National Park
Lush limestone canyons echo ancient wildlife
The Mulu Canopy Skywalk is a suspended walkway about 480 metres long. It rises high above the forest floor and gives views of the treetops. Clearwater Cave is one of the longest caves in Southeast Asia. Boats and stairs lead to a cool river inside the cave.
Region in Germany
Black Forest
Enchanted woodlands echo with timeless folklore
Romans named this region Silva Nigra for its dark dense spruce and fir forest. Triberg Waterfalls drop 163 metres in seven stages beside a forest path. Wood carvers here still make cuckoo clocks in small workshops. Hikers follow the Westweg trail for 285 kilometres along the ridge.
National Park in Dominica
Morne Trois Pitons National Park
Volcanic wonders in pristine rainforest
The Valley of Desolation has steaming vents and bright orange and grey streams. A sulphur smell hangs over the rocky ground beside the vents. Hikers walk through rainforest and open volcanic ground to reach the valley. Boiling Lake lies farther on and takes a long day hike.
Island in Canada
Vancouver Island
Untamed Beauty and Coastal Charm
Cathedral Grove has Douglas fir trees about 800 years old. Some trees reach 75 metres and are over 9 metres around. Big Lonely Doug is a tall Douglas fir left standing in a clearcut. A short path near Port Renfrew leads to Avatar Grove and giant cedars.
Nature Reserve in Ecuador
Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve
Amazon wilderness teeming with life
About 590,000 hectares of lagoons and flooded forest fill this Ecuadorian reserve. Siona, Secoya, Cofan and Kichwa communities live in and around it. Guides paddle visitors through the quiet black water at dawn to look for birds. More than 500 bird species have been recorded here.
National Park in Costa Rica
Tortuguero National Park
Wildlife and Waterways Adventure
Tortuguero means turtle region in Spanish and gives this park its name. The park contains 11 different habitats including tall rainforest, swamp, lagoon and beach. More than 400 bird species have been recorded along the canals. Manatees and caimans live in the slow canals and lagoons.
National Park in Argentina
Iguazú National Park and Reserve
Epic Waterfalls and Wild Rainforest
The Macuco Trail is a 3.5 kilometre forest walk to a small waterfall in the park. A cool pool at the end has a small waterfall and quiet shade. Toucans, coatis and blue butterflies often cross the path. Tall palms, ferns and vines crowd the shady trail.
Island in Japan
Yakushima
Ancient cedars, mossy forest and waterfalls
The hike to Jomon Sugi takes about eight to ten hours on a long round trip. This huge cedar is estimated at more than 2,000 years old. Trails follow an old logging railway through mossy forest and mist. Cedars older than 1,000 years are called yakusugi by local people.
Island
Borneo
Wild rainforests meet unique wildlife
Bako National Park in Sarawak has proboscis monkeys, pitcher plants and rocky coves. Boat rides from the Sarawak coast take about 20 minutes. Sandstone cliffs and sea stacks stand above the forest and quiet beaches. Bearded pigs wander the sand beside the park headquarters at low tide.
Island in Spain
La Palma
Volcanic beauty under starry skies
Los Tilos, on the northeast side, is a laurel forest left from ancient subtropical woodlands. Moss, ferns and giant laurel trees cover the steep ravine. A stream runs down the ravine to a series of small waterfalls. Mist from the Atlantic keeps the woods damp and green.
National Park in Costa Rica
El Yunque National Forest
Tropical rainforest paradise in Caribbean
Yokahu Tower, a stone tower built in the 1960s, looks over the forest canopy. A trail climbs to Yunque Peak, at 1,065 metres, with views to the sea. More than 240 tree species grow in this wet mountain forest. Streams tumble over smooth rocks into cool natural pools.
City in Brazil
Manaus
Amazon's gateway to lush rainforest adventures
The Anavilhanas archipelago has hundreds of islands of flooded forest in the Rio Negro. Canoes glide between the treetops during the high water season. Giant Victoria water lilies with round leaves float in nearby lakes. Boat trips visit riverside villages and forest trails for birdwatching.
National Park in Costa Rica
Arenal Volcano National Park
Lava Trails, Rainforest and Epic Views
The Las Coladas trail passes rainforest that is growing back over the 1968 lava. Hikers walk along an old lava flow towards the base of the cone. Coatis and toucans live in the forest beside the trail. Steam sometimes rises above the quiet crater on cool mornings.
Town in Argentina
Villa la Angostura
Patagonia's Hidden Gem
A chairlift climbs Cerro Belvedere for views over Lake Nahuel Huapi. Coihue, cypress and lenga trees cover the mountain sides around town. Lago Espejo is a calm lake surrounded by thick forest and fallen logs. Trails lead to quiet beaches and small waterfalls along the shore.
National Park in United States
Redwood National Park
Home of the World’s Tallest Trees
Redwood National and State Parks protect about 45 percent of the old growth left. Coast redwoods can live for more than 2,000 years and grow taller than 100 metres. Lady Bird Johnson Grove has an easy loop through huge trees. Cool fog drifts through the branches on many summer mornings.
State/Prefecture in Japan
Aomori
Apples, giant lantern floats and beech forests
Shirakami-Sanchi holds one of the last large primeval beech forests in East Asia. UNESCO listed it in 1993 as a natural World Heritage Site. Trails lead to quiet ponds and waterfalls among tall beeches. In winter the Hakkoda mountains wear coats of ice called snow monsters.
National Park in Indonesia
Gunung Leuser National Park
Breathtaking peaks and ancient rainforests
Tangkahan is a village where former loggers now run elephant patrols in the forest. Visitors can help wash the elephants in the river with guides. The wider Leuser ecosystem covers about 2.6 million hectares of Sumatran forest. Tigers and orangutans live in the forest beyond the village.
National Park in United States
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Home of the Giant Sequoias
The General Grant Tree is the Nation's Christmas Tree, designated in 1926. Giant sequoias here grow over 80 metres tall with trunks wide as rooms. Kings Canyon nearby drops deeper than the Grand Canyon in places. Trails wind through groves beside quiet meadows and small streams.
Nature Reserve in United States
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Pristine lakes, untouched wilderness paradise
More than 1,100 lakes connect by portages in this Minnesota wilderness. Motor boats are banned in most areas, leaving loons and wind to fill the quiet. Visitors need a permit and a bear proof food barrel for overnight trips. Pines, birch and spruce cover rocky islands and shores.
National Park in New Zealand
Fiordland National Park
New Zealand’s Wildest Water World
Glowworm caves near Te Anau glow with thousands of tiny blue lights. Boats cross the lake to reach the cave entrance. The Kepler Track loops 60 kilometres through beech forest and above the treeline. Ferns and moss cover the forest floor under the tall trees.
Region in Germany
Bavaria
Alpine beauty meets medieval charm
The Bavarian Forest National Park has a tree top walkway about 1,300 metres long. A tower at the end rises 44 metres above the forest. Visitors can spot wolves, lynx and bears in large wildlife enclosures. Beech, spruce and fir trees cover the low mountains near the Czech border.
National Park in Guyana
Kaieteur National Park
World's Most Powerful Single-Drop Waterfall
Patamona people tell of a chief named Kai who paddled over the falls. The waterfall and national park are named after him. Most visitors reach the park by small plane over unbroken green forest. Cock of the rock birds and golden frogs live near the edge.
National Park in United States
Yosemite National Park
Nature's Grand Cathedral
Mariposa Grove has about 500 mature giant sequoias in the southern part of the park. The Grizzly Giant, a leaning sequoia, is around 2,000 years old. Trails and a small tram lead through the grove beneath huge trunks. Ponderosa and sugar pines grow around the giant trees and quiet meadows.
National Park in Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Gorilla Encounters in Ancient Forest
This ancient forest in southwest Uganda has stood since before the last Ice Age. Ten primate species live here, including mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. Steep wet ridges and morning mist make the trekking slow and muddy. Community guides lead walks to waterfalls and village farms nearby.
National Park in Ecuador
Yasuni National Park
Untamed rainforest, ancient wildlife sanctuary
UNESCO named this reserve a biosphere reserve in 1989 for its huge and varied forest. Giant ceiba trees rise about 60 metres above the canopy along the rivers. Waorani guides teach visitors about medicinal plants and traditional forest skills. Boat rides on the Napo River lead to lodges in the trees.
National Park in United Kingdom
Cairngorms National Park
Scotland’s Wild Heart of Adventure
Old Caledonian pine forests grow at Rothiemurchus and Abernethy in this Scottish park. Red squirrels and capercaillie, large woodland grouse, live in the trees. Loch an Eilein has a walking path around a castle island. The Cairngorm Reindeer Centre offers guided visits to a free ranging herd.
Park in Canada
Algonquin Provincial Park
Lakes, forests and wildlife in serene wilderness
Painter Tom Thomson found inspiration here and influenced the Group of Seven. His Algonquin scenes of pines, rocks and stormy lakes became famous in Canada. Maple leaves turn red and orange along Highway 60 in early October. Moose feed in roadside ponds at dawn and dusk.
City in United States
Juneau
Glaciers, whales and wild Alaska
Perseverance Trail follows a creek for 3 miles to old gold mine ruins. Mossy Sitka spruce and hemlock trees shade the entire path. The Mount Roberts Tramway lifts visitors from the harbour above the tree line. Black bears and bald eagles live around the local waterways.
Region in New Zealand
North Island
Geothermal Wonders and Māori Culture
Te Urewera, a large wooded region, was given legal personhood by law in 2014. Lake Waikaremoana lies among the wooded mountains and steep bluffs. A Great Walk of 46 kilometres loops around the lake shore in three days. Tree ferns, rimu and beech form thick green forest all around.
Nature Reserve in Costa Rica
Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserves
Mist, Wildlife and Cloudy Magic
Schoolchildren from Sweden helped start the Children's Eternal Rainforest here in 1987. It has grown into the largest private reserve in Costa Rica with cloud forest. Guided walks look for quetzals, orchids, hummingbirds and sleepy sloths. Cool mist keeps moss and ferns growing on every branch and trunk.
National Park in United States
Glacier Bay National Park
Majestic glaciers and pristine wilderness
Bartlett Cove has a one mile forest loop trail beside the visitor lodge. Sitka spruce and hemlock trees grow on ground once covered by ice. Huna Tlingit people built a tribal house on the shore in 2016. Kayakers paddle along the shore past brown bears feeding on the beach.
National Park in Costa Rica
Corcovado National Park
Costa Rica’s Wildest Rainforest Frontier
All four Costa Rican monkey species live in this Osa Peninsula forest. Scarlet macaws fly over the beach and tall almond trees. Hikers cross the park on a trail between the Sirena and La Leona stations. Tapirs and jaguars also roam the dense forest floor at night.
Island in Australia
Tasmania
Wilderness, Wildlife and Wild Coasts
The Styx Valley, called the Valley of the Giants, has swamp gum trees about 90 metres tall. They are among the tallest flowering plants on Earth. A short boardwalk leads to a giant tree called Gandalf's Staff. Tree ferns and moss fill the shady gullies below.
Nature Reserve in Mexico
Calakmul Biosphere Reserve
Ancient Maya Ruins in Pristine Jungle
The reserve is part of the Maya Forest, the largest tropical forest in the Americas after the Amazon. Jaguars, spider monkeys and ocellated turkeys live under the canopy. Calakmul means two adjacent mounds in the Maya language. Trails lead to ruins hidden among the trees.
National Park in Switzerland
Swiss National Park
Majestic alpine wilderness, untouched and serene
Val Trupchun is a valley where red deer gather in September for the rut. Bearded vultures have been released and now soar over the cliffs. About 80 kilometres of marked trails cross the pine and larch forest. Dogs are not allowed and visitors must stay on the paths.
National Park in India
Kanha National Park
Tiger paradise in magical wilderness
Tall sal forest, bamboo groves and open meadows fill this park in Madhya Pradesh. Bengal tigers, wild dogs and huge gaur cattle live among the trees. Open jeep safaris start at dawn and again in late afternoon. Bamni Dadar viewpoint looks over the wide plains at sunset.
National Park in India
Sundarbans National Park
Whispers of mangrove giants and elusive tigers
Sundari trees give this huge mangrove forest, spread across two countries, its name. Tides flow through it twice a day and leave mud and roots. Bengal tigers roam the islands shared by India and Bangladesh. Small boats wind through narrow creeks lined with green leaves.
National Park in Thailand
Khao Sok National Park
Ancient Jungle and Emerald Lake Paradise
Tham Nam Thalu is a cave with a cold stream running through the middle. Visitors wade and swim through narrow passages with helmets and headlamps. Hornbills, gibbons and gaur live in the surrounding forest. The Sok River offers gentle tubing beneath tall trees and limestone cliffs.
National Park in Indonesia
Tanjung Puting National Park
Orangutan paradise in Borneo jungle
Fireflies blink in the riverside trees at night along the black water Sekonyer River. Klotok boats tie up at quiet spots for the evening. Guests eat dinner on the deck and sleep under mosquito nets. Long tailed macaques and proboscis monkeys sleep in the branches.
National Park in United States
Olympic National Park
Untamed Wilderness, All in One
The Hall of Moss walk in the Hoh Rain Forest is a short loop of under one mile. Bigleaf maples are draped in thick green moss like fur coats. Roosevelt elk graze in clearings beside the Hoh River. Sitka spruce and Douglas fir here grow more than 80 metres tall.
National Park in Guatemala
Tikal National Park
Lost Mayan City in the Jungle
Giant ceiba trees, sacred to the Maya, grow tall between the temples. Ceiba is the national tree of Guatemala and has a wide buttressed trunk. Temple I rises about 47 metres above the Great Plaza. Coatis and spider monkeys search for food along the paths.
Region in Switzerland
Graubünden
Alpine wonderland with pristine lakes and trails
Larch forests in the Engadin valley turn bright gold each October before the snow. Swiss stone pines with thick trunks can live for a thousand years or more. Marked paths lead beside blue lakes and small stone villages. Hikers can see marmots and ibex on the high slopes.
Town in Canada
Tofino
Wild Pacific, Rainforest, Endless Waves
Rainforest Trail in Pacific Rim National Park has boardwalks through cedar and hemlock. Trees here are draped in moss and ferns. Nurse logs lie on the ground with new trees growing from them. Long Beach lies a short drive from the trailhead in the same park.
National Park in Peru
Manú National Park
Pristine Amazon biodiversity wonderland
Thirteen primate species, from tiny tamarins to howler monkeys, live in this Peruvian reserve. The forest runs from high cloud forest down to hot lowlands. Jaguars, giant otters and tapirs live along the rivers. Boats are the main way to reach lodges deep in the park.
Town in South Africa
Knysna
A Coastal Gem on the Garden Route
The Big Tree in Tsitsikamma is an Outeniqua yellowwood about 36 metres tall. It has stood for hundreds of years in the forest. Knysna elephants are rarely seen and roam the dense forest in tiny numbers. Boardwalks lead through tall trees, ferns and fallen mossy logs.
Country
Republic of the Congo
Pristine wilderness with rich biodiversity
Forest elephants and gorillas gather at open clearings called bais. Mbeli Bai in Nouabale-Ndoki National Park has a viewing platform. The park is part of a UNESCO site shared with Cameroon and the Central African Republic. Guides lead quiet walks through thick lowland forest to observe wildlife.
Forest in Bangladesh
Sundarbans
Whispers of mangrove giants and hidden wildlife
Saltwater crocodiles rest on the muddy banks along the wide river channels. Irrawaddy dolphins and fishing cats live in the waterways nearby. Kingfishers, herons and white bellied sea eagles fill the air near the boat. Visitors travel by small boat with guides and forest guards.
National Park in Japan
Shiretoko National Park
Brown bears and drift ice in Hokkaido
Blakiston's fish owl, a huge endangered owl, lives in the river forests. Brown bears wander the forest and the rocky shore near the sea. Shiretoko Five Lakes has a raised walkway that keeps hikers safe from bears. Kamuiwakka Falls is a warm stream that visitors can wade up.
Town in France
Fontainebleau
Royal Château and Enchanting Forest
This forest south of Paris covers about 280 square kilometres of oak and pine. Climbers come to boulder on smooth sandstone rocks scattered among the pines. Painters of the Barbizon school worked in a nearby village in the 1800s. About 300 kilometres of marked trails cross the woods.
National Park in United States
Mount Rainier National Park
A Majestic Volcano and Wild Beauty
Old growth Douglas fir and western hemlock cover the lower slopes of this volcano. The Wonderland Trail passes through this forest for 93 miles around the mountain. Longmire has a short forest loop past bubbling mineral springs. Wildflower meadows open above the tree line in July and August.
National Park in Japan
Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
Fuji, Hakone, Izu and volcanic islands
The Old Tokaido road at Hakone runs beneath cedar trees planted around 1618. Some trees along the stone path are about 400 years old. Shuzenji has a bamboo grove path lit by lanterns in the evening. Lake Ashi views open towards Mount Fuji on clear days.
Forest in Sri Lanka
Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Ancient rainforest teeming with elusive wildlife
Hump nosed vipers and colourful tree frogs hide in the leaf litter. Mixed flocks of birds move through the canopy in the morning. Local guides know the trails and spot birds by sound. Rain falls on most days between 3,600 and 5,000 millimetres a year.
State/Prefecture in United States
Maine
Lobsters, Lighthouses and Lush Landscapes
About 89 percent of this state is covered by forest. Mount Katahdin in Baxter State Park rises 1,606 metres above the spruce woods and lakes. The Appalachian Trail ends at its summit after 2,190 miles. Moose often wade in the ponds beside old logging roads.
National Park in Venezuela
Canaima National Park
Tepui Peaks and Angel Falls Wonder
The park covers about 3 million hectares of savanna and forest, roughly the size of Belgium. Flat topped mountains called tepuis rise above the green forest in every direction. Trails at Sapo Falls lead behind a curtain of water. Canoes carry visitors across tea coloured lagoons and rivers.
National Park in Australia
Blue Mountains National Park
Majestic Views and Untamed Nature
Eucalyptus trees release oil droplets that give the air a blue haze. The Wollemi pine, a tree from the dinosaur age, grows in a secret canyon nearby. Boardwalks lead down to waterfalls and views of the Three Sisters rock stacks. Cool morning mist fills the deep Jamison Valley.
Forest in Canada
Great Bear Rainforest
Whispers of ancient pines and mist
A 2016 agreement protects about 85 percent of the forest from logging. The region covers about 6.4 million hectares of coast and islands. Gitga'at and Kitasoo communities welcome visitors to small lodges and boat tours. Cedar and spruce trees grow beside misty fjords and rocky shores.
Forest
Białowieża Forest
Ancient woodland echoing centuries of wildlife
Visitors can see European bison in the Bison Show Reserve near the village. Wide forest paths lead through old stands of oak and spruce. Horse drawn carriages roll along the old Royal Oaks route in summer. Small wooden houses in the village have carved window frames.
City in Germany
Freiburg im Breisgau
Sunniest City, Black Forest Gateway, Green Vibes
The Schauinsland cable car climbs to 1,284 metres above the Black Forest. Trails at the top lead through spruce forest and open meadows. The city has solar panels on many roofs and a car free district. Cyclists ride from the city into the hills in minutes.
Forest in Belgium
Hallerbos
Enchanted woodland draped in emerald mist
Millions of wild bluebells carpet the floor of this Belgian beech forest in April. The blue haze lasts only a few weeks each spring in mid April. Tall beech trees rise above the flowers in fresh green leaves. Marked paths help visitors walk without trampling the delicate plants.
Landmark in Madagascar
Avenue of the Baobabs
Stunning sunset silhouettes among ancient giants
Around 25 giant baobab trees line a dirt road near the town of Morondava. They are Grandidier's baobabs that can reach 30 metres. Some of these trees are around 800 years old and stand alone in the fields. Sunset turns the tall trunks orange and pink as villagers walk home.
Forest in Australia
Daintree Rainforest
Lush canopy whispers ancient rainforest secrets
Marrdja Boardwalk near Cape Tribulation passes mangroves and tall rainforest trees on wooden planks. Road signs warn drivers about cassowaries crossing the road. Fan palms and giant ferns crowd the shady forest floor. The Daintree River cable ferry carries cars across water where crocodiles live.
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