Devil's Tramping Ground, Circular barren ground in Chatham County, United States.
The Devil's Tramping Ground is a circular bare patch in a forest in Chatham County, North Carolina, measuring about 12 meters (40 feet) across. No grass or other greenery grows within this boundary, while the rest of the forest appears normally vegetated.
The spot was mentioned by early settlers in the 18th century, who described the ground as infertile. Since then, the circle has remained largely unchanged and continues to puzzle visitors and researchers.
The name comes from stories claiming that strange sounds can be heard at night, giving the location a long tradition of local storytelling. Residents visit the circle after sunset and observe the bare ground that contrasts with the surrounding forest area.
Access to the spot is via a forest trail that can become slippery when wet, so sturdy shoes are recommended. The circle itself lies a few meters off the main path and is reached by a narrow trail.
The soil inside the circle contains more salt than the earth around it, which prevents plant growth. This chemical peculiarity persists despite decades of attempts to plant or alter the ground.
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