With its size, history, biodiversity, and scenic beauty, the Appalachian mountains have attracted many travelers along the years. However, it is also infamous for its creepy tales. From mysterious whistles to weird rules, these mountains are full of things that can certainly bring chills down your spine.
There have been numerous videos gaining attention on social media sites, such as TikTok, about the peculiarity of these mountains, particularly about what not to do in their presence. A user named Abbey Sobota, who grew up at Mount Katahdin, provides a list of essential rules for anyone going into the Appalachian forests. These rules, in her opinion, are not merely suggestions; they are necessary if you wish to stay away from otherworldly experiences.
The first rule that Sobota shares is simple yet ominous: never be in the woods from dusk until dawn. As to why, she explains that “things” are active during these hours, though she doesn’t specify exactly what these “things” are. As a hunter herself, Sobota stresses that even experienced outdoor enthusiasts should stay away from the forest at night.
The second rule that she gives is to never whistle or sing in the woods. Higher pitched sounds, she explains, travel further than regular speech, possibly attracting unwanted attention from these “things”. She adds that through these sounds, the “things” could track you down easily.
Her third rule is a classic but crucial one: don’t stay off the trail. It is a standard rule for any hiker, but in the Appalachian woods, where the dense wilderness is vast and mysterious, this rule takes on a new weight.
Lastly, Sobota informs us that it is fine to look in the trees, but not into them, hinting at what might be lurking above or watching.
Additionally other creators such as Morgan Lambert, who has lived in Appalachia for more than 25 years, advises that if you hear something such as random whistling, no you didn’t. She demonstrates this by showing her personal experience of disregarding a mysterious whistling sound.
These rules may be chilling, but they strongly align with many who have ventured into the Appalachians, emphasizing the region’s unique blend of natural beauty and mysterious supernatural lore.
So, what could the “things” be? Well, the mountains’ folklore might just be the answer. According to Appalachian folklore, what lurks in the Appalachian Mountains are:
The Brown Mountain Lights Ghosts
Mysterious lights began appearing over Brown Mountain in North Carolina. Those who’ve seen the lights describe the lights as glowing orbs that dance over the hills until they dissipate. The United States Ecological Society assured it all was just car headlights or lights of passing trains. Nevertheless, this was all invalidated after roads and tracks were destroyed due to a massive flood and the lights still appeared.
As explained by the Cherokee legend, this phenomenon is the result of the bloody battle between Catawba and Cherokee warriors on the Brown Mountain. The glowing lights are the spirits of the mothers, widows, and sisters who went to the mountains after the battle was over, carrying torches to search for their loved ones.
The Moon-eyed people
The Moon-Eyed People are a distinct race described as small, bearded, with pale skin and large blue eyes. Sensitive to light, they were said to be nocturnal, completing all tasks at night. They built stone fortifications against the Creek Nation but eventually retreated to caves in North Carolina and northern Georgia after defeat. The most tangible evidence is a three-foot statue found in the 1800s, depicting two conjoined figures, now displayed at the Cherokee County Historical Museum in Murphy, North Carolina.
The Wampus Cat
The Wampus Cat is a legendary creature, described as a feline with glowing yellow eyes and six legs, associated with Cherokee folklore, though not a traditional Native American story. The most popular legend tells of a Cherokee woman who, curious about her husband’s hunting rituals, disguised herself in a cougar’s skin to spy on the ceremony. Caught by the shaman, she was cursed and transformed into the Wampus Cat, which now roams Appalachia, causing chaos, instilling fear, and seeking revenge.
The Bell Witch
In the 1800s, the Bell family settled in Robertson County, Tennessee, where they soon began to experience strange occurrences in their home such as knocks, scratches, and objects being dragged across the floor. The phenomena escalated, with their daughters feeling their sheets pulled and being pinched at night. John Bell first kept these events secret, fearing judgment from his church community, but he eventually confessed to a friend, James Johnston, who witnessed the strange activity firsthand.
As word spread, the entity seemed to grow stronger, even claiming to be the spirit of a local woman named Kate Batts—earning the name “Bell Witch.” The entity became increasingly vocal, often discussing religion, singing hymns, and even reciting sermons delivered simultaneously at two different churches 13 miles apart. It became notorious enough to attract the attention of General Andrew Jackson, who reportedly preferred fighting the British to facing the Bell Witch. After John Bell’s death in 1820, the entity claimed responsibility for his poisoning and continued to appear to the family throughout the 1820s, even promising to return in 1935.
The Flatwoods Monster
On September 12, 1952, four boys—Edward May, Freddie May, Neil Nunley, and Tommy Hyer—were playing at Flatwoods Elementary School in West Virginia when they saw a strange object crash into a nearby hillside. Driven by curiosity, they ran to the site, bringing along the Mays’ mother, Kathleen, and National Guardsman Eugene Lemon. When they arrived, they discovered a pulsing red light and, when Lemon shined his flashlight, they encountered a terrifying, 10-foot creature with a spade-shaped head and glowing orange eyes. The creature had gnarled, claw-like hands and appeared to wear a dark metallic dress, surrounded by a sickening mist. It hissed and began gliding toward them, prompting the group to flee to the Sheriff’s office.
The Mothman
In 1966, two couples driving near an abandoned TNT factory in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, reported seeing a huge, bird-like creature with glowing red eyes that kept pace with their car. This mysterious being, later called “the Mothman” by newspapers, was spotted several times over the following year, with witnesses describing it as a large, red-eyed figure. Despite some skeptics suggesting it was just a sandhill crane, unusual events like increased UFO sightings and visits from “men in black” persisted around the town.
When the Silver Bridge collapsed, claiming 46 lives, some claimed that they saw Mothman at the site. Afterward, sightings lessened, but the Mothman legend became a lasting part of Point Pleasant’s culture, commemorated with a museum and an annual festival.