Lose Yourself in These 10 Amazing Mazes

The peace maze was first conceived as a symbol of reconciliation in the wake of the Good Friday Agreement (or Belfast Agreement), a set of deals that helped bring the period of political conflict known as The Troubles to an end. Over 6,000 yews (which were chosen because they symbolize peace) were planted by over 1,000 community volunteers. The maze is divided into two distinct halves which visitors must cross in order to solve the labyrinth. At the center of the maze is a bell that visitors can ring as a declaration that they’ve solved the puzzle.

The Yancheng Dafeng Dream Maze has been determined by the Guinness World Records to be both the largest permanent maze and the largest permanent hedge maze in the world. In fact, this maze is so large that it features several rest areas and games so visitors can take a break from traversing this sprawling labyrinth. And if you were to follow one particular path to the maze’s conclusion, you would have trekked just under six miles.

The Ashcombe Maze is the oldest maze of its kind in Australia and is made up of 1,000 meticulously maintained cypress trees. Ashcombe also hosts The Great Gnome Hunt that invites visitors to search for gnomes that have been hidden through the labyrinth. If you’re interested in a labyrinthine experience that comes with a floral backdrop, there are two other mazes to choose from. There are the circular rose maze and the lavender maze that are so lovely you’ll want to stay lost.

This elaborate hedge maze, located on the grounds of the Villa Pisani, is so spectacular it could only have been the work of Italy’s wealthy nobility. The maze itself is made up of nine concentric circles leading toward a small tower at the center where a statue of Minerva presides over the labyrinth. Napoleon bought the estate in 1807, and legend has it that the then-emperor is among those who have been stumped by the maze’s twisting paths and plethora of dead ends.

If it weren’t for all the threats of being decapitated by order of an unhinged monarch, getting lost in Wonderland has a winsome appeal to it. Luckily, you can have your own personal down-the-rabbit-hole experience thanks to Alice’s Curious Labyrinth. This maze features two main sections. The first is the Tulgey Wood, where visitors will come across the Caterpillar and the Cheshire Cat. The second is the Queen of Heart’s Maze, the more difficult of the two sections. Those who successfully navigate the maze are treated with a view of both the maze and the Fantasyland section of the park.

If you’re looking for a fresh air activity to enjoy after exploring the Luray Caverns, find your way to this one-acre hedge maze. Visitors will navigate paths and tunnels to find their way to the center. And just to make things a little more mysterious, parts of the maze feature misting fog (which has the added benefit of keeping you cool on hotter days).

Visitors find their way to the center of this maze with plenty of twists and turns along the way. Solving this maze takes an average of 25 minutes—so with that in mind, you can go in aiming to set a record. This maze also has the handy feature of an easy escape route if you decide to throw in the towel by way of a series of one-way doors that lead to the exit.

Botanical World Adventures is home to a number of exciting activities. But their maze is particularly remarkable thanks to its status as one of the world’s largest permanent mazes. This labyrinth features only one correct path, so be prepared to find yourself navigating dead ends—but that will make completing it all the more rewarding.

The makers of Labyrinthe Aventure knew exactly what people wanted from their maze experience: the feeling that at any moment you could come face to face with the shenanigans of Jim Henson’s creations. While there are no Muppets to be found in this maze, there are unique obstacles to be found around every corner, including slides and hurdles.

While many permanent mazes are verdant hedge mazes, the Minotaur Maze is unique as the walls are made from basalt rocks. You won’t be chased by any Grecian beasts, but you will enjoy the adventure of completing this labyrinth that has a more challenging aura thanks to its rocky walls.