Event Details
Halloween in the Hoia Baciu Forest near Cluj-Napoca
Few places in Europe offer a Halloween experience as genuinely eerie as the Hoia Baciu Forest near Cluj-Napoca in Transylvania. Ranked among the most haunted forests in the world by the BBC, this dense woodland has fascinated paranormal researchers, explorers and curious travellers since the 1960s. Every 31 October, local tour operators offer guided night tours through the forest, bringing its twisted trees, unexplained phenomena and mysterious Round Clearing (Poiana Rotundă) to life in the darkness.
What Makes Hoia Baciu so Mysterious?
The forest's legend began when a UFO was photographed above the trees in the late 1960s. Since then, visitors have reported time lapses, strange light orbs, feelings of being watched and an inexplicable sense of unease. The forest's twisted, stunted trees grow in unusual patterns, and a perfectly circular clearing where no plants grow has baffled scientists for decades. Whether you believe in the paranormal or not, the atmosphere of this forest after dark is genuinely unlike anything else in Europe.
Highlights
- Guided night tours through Hoia Baciu Forest on 31 October
- Visit to the Poiana Rotundă (Round Clearing), the most mysterious spot in the forest
- Stories of UFO sightings, ghost encounters and unexplained events
- Private tours with expert local guides, transport from Cluj-Napoca included
- Flashlights and rain ponchos provided
- Duration: 3 to 4 hours along 3.5 km of forest trails
- One of Europe's most atmospheric Halloween experiences
Program & Tours
Tours depart from 6:00 PM onwards from the meeting point in front of the Hungarian Opera House in central Cluj-Napoca. An experienced local guide leads small private groups along a 3.5-kilometre trail through the forest to the famous Round Clearing. Along the way, guides share legends, scientific observations and personal experiences in the forest. The main organiser is the Hoia-Baciu Project, which has been running authentic guided tours here since 2013. Tours are educational and atmospheric rather than staged fright experiences.
Tickets & Booking
Tours can be booked directly through hoiabaciutours.com or via platforms such as Viator and Romanian Friend. Private tours start from approximately €30 per person depending on group size. Group bookings through Viator range from around €80 to €110 per person including transport. Early booking is strongly recommended for 31 October, as Halloween night is the most popular evening of the year at Hoia Baciu. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the tour.
Visitor Tips
- Wear sturdy shoes with good grip — forest paths can be muddy in October.
- Dress warmly: Cluj-Napoca evenings in late October are cold.
- Costumes are welcome and add to the Halloween atmosphere in the forest.
- Book several weeks in advance as Halloween tours sell out quickly.
- The forest is around 3 km west of Cluj-Napoca city centre and easily reached by taxi.
- Book accommodation in Cluj-Napoca well in advance for the Halloween period.
