Last warm sunbeams touching black forest at Freiburg.

Few earthly experiences are as soothing—or as humbling—as standing in the middle of a beautiful forest, trees towering around you in every direction. Yet throughout the world, from North America's national parks to a remote island off of Yemen, you can find these commanding, verdant woodlands, some so otherworldly it's hard to believe they're real.

Whether you're looking for a little trip inspiration or need a virtual escape, these shots of 2,000-year-old redwoods, thick green bamboo, and pines surrounded by carpets of bluebells ought to take you away. From Belgium to California, and Colombia to Spain, these are 13 of the most beautiful forests in the world.

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kyoto, Japan

While we could go on about the ethereal glow and seemingly endless heights of this bamboo grove on the outskirts of Kyoto, the pleasures here extend beyond the visual realm. If you close your eyes, tune out the other tourists, and listen to the wind—wood creaking, leaves rustling—you'll experience the true beauty of the destination. In 1996, the local Ministry of the Environment even included Arashiyama as one of the country's top 100 Soundscapes of Japan, an initiative to combat noise pollution and encourage people to take in the sounds of the natural world.

Black Forest, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Stretching across southwest Germany is the Black Forest, a wooded mountain range known for its dense 100-mile stretch of pine trees, picturesque villages, natural thermal spas, and, believe it or not, the invention of the cuckoo clock. The area doesn’t just look like a scene out of a storybook, though—legend says the Brothers Grimm drew inspiration from the forested area in their native country for fairy tales like Hansel and Gretel and Rapunzel.

Otzarreta Forest, Basque Country, Spain

The Basque Country's Gorbea Natural Park is a protected area filled with mountain views, hiking trails, waterfalls, and caves. But it's the enigmatic Otzarreta Forest within the park that has captured the eye of many a photographer (and Pinterest user), with its mossy surfaces and ancient trees.

The Amazon, South America

Covering roughly 40 percent of South America, including parts of Brazil, Peru, and Colombia, the Amazon is the largest rainforest on Earth, and home to more than 40,000 plant species and 1,300 bird species alone. But be sure to visit the winding rivers and diverse wildlife while you can—climate change (along with man-made fires) is increasingly whittling away the habitat every day.

Olympic National Forest, Washington State

Just 60 miles west of Seattle is the Olympic National Forest, which includes forest, coastal, and mountainous ecosystems spread across more than half a million acres. Within the forest itself, visitors can visit the glacial Lake Quinault, hop on the hiking trail to Mount Ellinor, or marvel at the massive Sitka spruces, which can grow to nearly 300 feet tall. (The forest is thought to be home to the largest Sitka spruce in the world, which clocks in at a whopping 17.7 feet in diameter and is 191 feet tall.)

Borneo Lowland Rainforest

The third largest island in the world, following Greenland and New Zealand, the whole of Borneo is swathed in dense rainforest—though an estimated 30 percent of it has been destroyed since logging and palm oil extraction began there a few decades ago. Now, conservationists are working to protect the lush areas found on the Southeast Asian island, parts of which are owned by Indonesia, Malaysia, and the independent state of Brunei; at an estimated 130 million years old, not only is its rainforest twice as old as the Amazon, it’s also the oldest rainforest in the world.

Valle de Cocora, Quindío, Colombia

In case you were wondering where to find the world's tallest palm trees (palma de cera), you needn't look further. Nestled in Colombia's Cocora Valley, about a seven-hour drive west of Bogotá, these lithe trees look even more incredible set against the backdrop of misty green hills and craggy mountains.

Great Bear Rainforest, British Columbia, Canada

Roughly the size of Ireland, the Great Bear Rainforest is one of the most bio-diverse places on the planet; the forest is home to hundreds of animal species, including rare wolves and whales. And with its scattering of fjords, waterfalls, massive cedar trees, and 4,000-foot-tall granite cliffs, it's arguably one of the most beautiful places in the country.

Dragon's Blood Forest, Socotra, Yemen

Located about 220 miles off the southeast coast of mainland Yemen, the beautiful forest of Socotra feels like it was transported to Earth from another planet. And perhaps nothing better conveys that sense of otherness than the island's population of dragon's blood trees, with their UFO-like tops and eerie bright red sap (hence the name).

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda

In Uganda’s Bwindi National Park, informally called the “Impenetrable Forest,” lush bamboo groves are interspersed with ferns and vines, in one of the most biologically diverse areas on the planet. In addition to having the largest assortment of tree species in East Africa, with more than 200 different varieties, and more than 350 bird species, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is also home to elephants, side-striped jackals, and more than half the world’s population of the endangered mountain gorilla.

Hallerbos Forest, Halle, Belgium

This beech forest in Belgium is a fairy talecome to life in the spring—specifically, from mid-April to the beginning of May—when thousands of bluebells carpet the forest floor. To get there, just take the train from Brussels, but go early: the sight certainly draws a crowd.

Humboldt Redwoods State Park, California

Standing in the middle of California's Humboldt Redwoods State Park, about a four-hour drive north of San Francisco, is a humbling experience—especially when you consider the span of time as you look up at the 2,000-year-old, 300-feet-tall natural giants. Head to Rockefeller Forest within the park to see the largest cluster of them (it also happens to be the world's largest contiguous forest currently standing).

Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica

Costa Rica is known for its biodiversity, and the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve alone acts as proof. Reptiles, migratory birds, and bats, plus the highest diversity of orchids in the world (more than 500 known species) fill this nearly 26,000-acre region northwest of the capital of San José