Across parts of Romania, especially in regions like Buzau and the Carpathian foothills, people speak of “walking forests.” These are groups of trees that appear to shift position over time, leaning downhill or rearranging slightly each year. The movement is so subtle that it’s invisible day to day, but over several seasons, the shift becomes noticeable. The idea sounds supernatural, but the real explanation lies in a slow geological process called soil creep.
Soil creep occurs when layers of earth move slowly downslope due to gravity. In many Romanian valleys, the ground is a mix of clay, sand, and underground springs. When rainfall soaks the soil, water fills the tiny spaces between particles, making the earth softer and more slippery. As the hillside loosens, the entire top layer begins to slide extremely slowly — sometimes just a few millimetres at a time.
Underground springs
Mineral water lubricates the sliding earth.
Tree survival
Roots adjust as the land moves, preventing collapse.
Trees rooted in this layer move with it. Their trunks tilt slightly as the ground shifts beneath them. Over months, their lean becomes more noticeable, and over years, a group of trees may appear to have “walked” several centimetres from their original position. Because the roots stay partly anchored, the trees do not topple; they simply migrate with the soil.
Mineral springs in the region can speed up the movement. These springs keep the underground layers wet even during dry months, adding lubrication that encourages the soil to glide. Landslide-prone areas show the most movement, while stable regions hardly shift at all.
To local villagers, the phenomenon has long carried a sense of mystery, but science reveals a landscape that behaves like a slow conveyor belt. The forest does not choose to move — the land itself is quietly on the move, taking the trees along for the ride.