Travel

SEE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL TREES ON EARTH

The Dark Hedges by styrovor. Ballymoney, Northern Ireland.

by styrovor. The Dark Hedges. Ballymoney, Northern Ireland.

These trees are travel destinations in and of themselves. They are so beautiful and so unique, they are totally worthy of places on your travel bucket list.

Not only are they incredible to behold, but these trees are inspiring, healing, and even spiritual. One set of trees has been featured on Game of Thrones. Another set offers a mecca for native tribes. Another seems to defy the laws of nature. And all offer the benefits of Forest Bathing. Check them out below.

Beautiful branches form archway of the Dark Hedges in Ballymoney, Northern Ireland.

Image: by Andy Withers. Dark Hedges. Ballymoney, Northern Ireland.

The Dark Hedges, in Ballymoney, Northern Ireland, is a beautiful pathway, lined with graceful beech trees, planted by the Stuart family in the18th century. It serves as an entrance to Gracehill House, the Stuart family home.

Two women walk on road through The Dark Hedges in Ballymoney, Northern Ireland.

Image: by Aidan McMichael. NES Reunion, Ballycastle. The Dark Hedges. Ballymoney, Northern Ireland.

The local legend speaks of a spectral ‘Grey Lady’ who hauntingly appears at dusk among the trees.

Road through the Dark Hedges in Northern Ireland as see on Game of Thrones.

Image: by Jim Barton. The Dark Hedges. Ballymoney, Northern Ireland.

If you are a Game of Thrones fan, you may recognize the Dark Hedges, as it was used the scene of Arya Stark's escape from King's Landing following the beheading of her father, Ned Stark, on the orders of King Joffrey at the end of Season 1.

Stars and clouds over Joshua Tree National Park.

Image: by Casey Kiernan, of Joshua Tree Workshops. Stars over Joshua Tree. Joshua Tree National Park, California.

Joshua trees are uniquely beautiful. Their twisted trunks and spiked crowns strike a graphic pose against the desert skies of Joshua Tree National Park.

The Mojave and Sonoran Deserts meet in the park. Their rugged landscapes, built on sand and massive sandstone formations, Some feel mystical powers emanating from the rocks.

Beautiful Joshua Tree under stars at night at Joshua Tree National Park, California.

Image: by Shane Lund. The Joshua Tree at Night. Joshua Tree National Park, California.

Landscape photographers love to shoot here, capturing the colors and textures of the dry earth and the big starry sky above. In fact, some of the most dramatic photos are taken here at night.

Check out the Joshua Tree National Park Sunset and Night Photography Workshop this coming June.

Joshua trees and boulders in Joshua Tree National Park, California.

Image: by Michael Dorausch. Joshua Tree National Park. California.

Taught by photographers Amy Shutt and Frank Aymami, this 2-night, 3-day workshop teaches techniques for shooting sunsets, silhouettes, night skies, pinpoint stars, the Milky Way, star trails, light painting, and panoramas. You are bound to come away with some incredible photos of these magnificent trees.

The Lone Cypress grows on rock outcropping in Monterey, California.

Image: by Steve Corey. The Lone Cypress. Monterey, California.

The Lone Cypress Tree, in Monterey, California, is more than 200 years old. While it’s not even close to being the oldest tree in the world, it is particularly remarkable because it is entirely growing out of a rock, suspended high over the bay.

The Lone Cypress Tree overlooks Monterey Bay in California.

Image: by Faungg's photos. 17 Mile Drive, Old Lone Cypress Tree. Monterey, California.

Stunted and shaped by relentless salty 60 - 70 mph winds, this rare Monterey Cypress (Cuppresus macrocarpa) is now aided by guy-wires, which anchor it and enable it to continue its twisted life.

The Lone Cypress Tree surrounded by rock wall overlooking Monterey Bay, California.

Image: by Harvey Barrison. 17 Mile Drive. Monterey, California.

You can find the Lone Cypress Tree if you drive along the 17-Mile Drive, on the coast of Pebble Beach. It appears as an ancient sentinel, guarding the beauty of Point Lobos in the background.

The Lone Cypress perched atop rocks overlooking water in Monterey, California.

Image: by Dion Hinchcliffe. The Lone Cypress in Monterey. Monterey, California.

Read more about Beautiful Trees all this week on BeautifulNow. And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Wellness, Impact, Nature/Science, Food, Arts/Design, and Travel, Daily Fix posts.

Man with guitar walks on road at The Dark Hedges, in Ballymoney, Northern Ireland.

Image: by Ben Kor. Jordan. The Dark Hedges. Ballymoney, Northern Ireland.

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Joshua trees at sunset at Joshua Tree National Park, California.

Image: by W.G. Dayton. Joshua Tree National Park. California.