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"Locals dub this location an enigmatic zone of Transylvania," remarks an experienced guide, his breath forming wisps of mist in the cold dusk atmosphere. "So many individuals have gone missing here, many believe there's a gateway to a different realm." Marius is guiding a traveler on a evening stroll through commonly known as the globe's spookiest grove: Hoia-Baciu, a section spanning 640 acres of primeval native woodland on the outskirts of the metropolis of Cluj-Napoca.

A Long History of the Unexplained

Accounts of unusual events here extend back centuries – the grove is titled for a regional herder who is reportedly went missing in the far-off times, accompanied by his entire flock. But Hoia-Baciu gained global recognition in 1968, when a military technician called Emil Barnea took a picture of what he claimed was a UFO hovering above a round opening in the heart of the forest.

Many came in here and never came out. But no need to fear," he continues, turning to his guest with a grin. "Our guided walks have a flawless completion rate."

In the years that followed, Hoia-Baciu has drawn yoga practitioners, shamans, ufologists and ghost hunters from around the globe, curious to experience the unusual forces reported to reverberate through the forest.

Modern Threats

Although it is one of the world's premier destinations for paranormal enthusiasts, the forest is facing danger. The western suburbs of Cluj-Napoca – a modern tech hub of more than 400,000 people, known as the tech capital of eastern Europe – are encroaching, and developers are pushing for permission to remove the forest to construct residential buildings.

Barring a small area containing regionally uncommon oak varieties, the grove is not officially protected, but Marius is confident that the organization he was instrumental in creating – a local conservation effort – will assist in altering this, encouraging the local administrators to appreciate the forest's significance as a visitor destination.

Spooky Experiences

When small sticks and seasonal debris snap and crunch beneath their boots, the guide tells numerous folk tales and reported paranormal happenings here.

• A popular tale tells of a five-year-old girl going missing during a family outing, later to rematerialise half a decade later with no memory of the events, without aging a single day, her clothes lacking the slightest speck of dust.
• Frequent accounts detail cellphones and photography gear unexpectedly failing on venturing inside.
• Feelings range from complete terror to states of ecstasy.
• Some people state observing unusual marks on their skin, detecting unseen murmurs through the woodland, or sense fingers clutching them, even when sure they are alone.

Study Attempts

Although numerous of the tales may be hard to prove, there are many things visibly present that is undeniably strange. Throughout the area are plants whose trunks are curved and contorted into bizarre configurations.

Various suggestions have been given to clarify the abnormal growth: that hurricane winds could have shaped the young trees, or inherently elevated radioactivity in the earth account for their unusual development.

But scientific investigations have discovered no satisfactory evidence.

The Famous Clearing

The expert's tours allow guests to participate in a small-scale research of their own. Upon reaching the opening in the trees where Barnea took his well-known UFO pictures, he hands his guest an ghost-hunting device which registers energy patterns.

"We're entering the most energetic area of the forest," he comments. "See what you can find."

The trees immediately cease as they step into a perfect circle. The only greenery is the low vegetation beneath the ground; it's obvious that it's not maintained, and looks that this unusual opening is natural, not the result of landscaping.

Between Reality and Imagination

The broader region is a location which inspires creativity, where the line is unclear between truth and myth. In traditional settlements faith continues in strigoi ("screamers") – undead, form-changing vampires, who rise from their graves to haunt local communities.

The famous author's well-known character Dracula is always connected with Transylvania, and Bran Castle – an ancient structure located on a cliff edge in the Carpathian Mountains – is keenly marketed as "the vampire's home".

But despite legend-filled Transylvania – actually, "the territory after the grove" – feels solid and predictable compared to this spooky forest, which appear to be, for reasons radioactive, atmospheric or entirely legendary, a nexus for creative energy.

"In Hoia-Baciu," Marius states, "the boundary between reality and imagination is very thin."