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All Germany Bingen Stockschleifern

Stockschleifern

The many—66 to be exact—faces of the German forest.

Bingen, Germany

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johndelatorre
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Hidden faces in the trees.   johndelatorre / Atlas Obscura User
Hidden faces in the trees.   Rudi Ratlos/CC BY 2.0
Hidden faces in the trees   Rudi Ratlos/CC BY 2.0
Hidden faces in the trees.   Rudi Ratlos/CC BY 2.0
Trail sign.   johndelatorre / Atlas Obscura User
Happy face hidden in the trees.   judifer / Atlas Obscura User
Tree stump face   judifer / Atlas Obscura User
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About

If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?  The question that has long plagued philosophers proves not to be an issue in Germany's Bingen forest.

An easy walk through the wood, just past the Reichenstein Castle, unearths a little-known but expansive hidden wonder. Sixty-six faces carved into tree trunks make up a section of the wilderness—wooded ghosts, goblins, elves, and trolls that are collectively known as Stockschleifern.

The faces of Stockschleifern were named after a wandering group from Weiler. The group opened the side valley of the Morgenbach river (which flows right next to where the faces are located) to the public in 1974 by adding wooden bridges.

Rumor has it that it's not just the mythical creatures' faces that reside in the trees at Stockschleifern—it's their souls as well. That, however, is something visitors must determine for themselves.

Related Tags

Forests Trees Art Mythology Ecosystems Plants

Know Before You Go

The trail is easy to find with Google Maps. You can also find it using the name Steckeschlääferklamm.

Community Contributors

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johndelatorre

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DanGer, mfell1005, hzoi, aribrown...

  • DanGer
  • mfell1005
  • hzoi
  • aribrown
  • judifer

Published

June 29, 2017

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Stockschleifern
33 Hauptstraße
Bingen
Germany
49.978481, 7.827576
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Nearby Places

Mouse Tower

Bingen, Germany

miles away

Niederwald Monument

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Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet

Rüdesheim am Rhein, Germany

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Bingen

Bingen

Germany

Places 2

Nearby Places

Mouse Tower

Bingen, Germany

miles away

Niederwald Monument

Rüdesheim am Rhein, Germany

miles away

Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet

Rüdesheim am Rhein, Germany

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Bingen

Bingen

Germany

Places 2

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