THE FORBIDDEN FOREST

+ To the east of Hogwarts castle is a large, dark forest. This forest is strictly off limits to Hogwarts students, except in the course of occasional Care of Magical Creatures lessons or detentions. The forbidden forest is sometimes referred to as the Forbidden Forest but often as just "the forest."

The forest is thick with trees -- beech, oak, pine, sycamore, and yew are mentioned, as well as undergrowth such as knotgrass and thorns-- but there are paths, brooks, and some clearings. Off the path, the way is almost impassable, although people have moved through it and creatures as large as Acromantulas and a Ford Anglia have managed to get around.

The forbidden forest is home to a wide and strange assortment of creatures. Anything wild and dangerous that needs a place to live is put there Hagrid moves around the forest with respect but without fear. Any other person who has entered it, however, has emerged hoping never to enter it again.

There are areas around the edges of the forest that are part of the Hogwarts grounds but which are out of sight of the castle.

Hagrid's cabin is located at the edge of the forbidden forest.