Moss-covered rocks in Puzzlewood, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England
© Fulcanelli_AOS/Getty Image
Puzzled? Follow the trail. Puzzlewood, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England
What if a forest could keep you guessing at every turn? At Puzzlewood, near Coleford in the Forest of Dean, England, winding paths lead through twisted trees, moss-covered rocks and deep stone ravines. Its unusual rock formations, known as scowles, are natural geological features that were exposed and modified over time and later exploited for iron ore mining during the Roman period and possibly earlier. In 1848, a worker discovered more than 3,000 Roman-era coins hidden in earthenware jars inside a rock cavity, turning the woodland into a real-life treasure hunt.
Around 1.5 miles of paths, wooden bridges and stone walkways guide visitors through the rugged landscape. Puzzlewood has also starred on screen, appearing in 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens,' 'Doctor Who,' 'Merlin' and 'Cursed.' Local lore links its gnarled trees and mysterious atmosphere to JRR Tolkien's Middle-earth forests, although there is no definitive proof.
Related Images
Redwood Memorial Grove in Whakarewarewa Forest, North Island, New Zealand
Living root bridge in India
Blooming wild garlic, Hainich National Park, Germany
Hall of Mosses trail in the Hoh Rain Forest, Olympic National Park, Washington, USA
Forest path in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, USA
Los Alcornocales forest, Málaga, Spain
Path through Puzzlewood, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
Wooden path to Kennedy Lake, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
Bing Today Images
