Delving into the magical mazes around the world, game experts at im-a-puzzle.com used hashtag data from Instagram to reveal exactly where they are located, and which ones are the most snapped by travelers searching for their way out.
Using a comprehensive list of mazes open to the public, we were able to uncover not only the most popular locations to get lost, but also the world’s best kept secret puzzles. This is a fantastic idea when planning your summer travel with your children.
With over 88,000 hashtags on Instagram, Dole Pineapple Plantation is officially the most popular maze in the world, taking the top spot by miles in our study. The maze is set on a pineapple farm and is even shaped like a giant pineapple. The paths through the maze are almost two and a half miles long, making this one of the largest mazes in the world. It’s created by about 14,000 Hawaiian plants, which make a beautiful Instagram backdrop.
The maze at Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace comes in second place, no doubt thanks to its grand backdrop. This historic maze was created around 1720 and gradually dissolved until 1892. In 1999, the maze reopened based on the historical model with a total area of 1,715 m². In the centre there is a viewing platform and two energy-giving, activated harmony stones, which according to Feng Shui, strengthen the flow of energy and promote inner harmony.
Two Italian mazes make the top five, with Villa Pisani, also known as the world’s most difficult maze, taking third place. Located in Stra, the maze is a classic medieval circular path with nine concentric repeating patterns and many dead ends surrounding a small tower in the centre. It is historically said to be so difficult to complete that Napoleon was lost in it when he lived in the villa, and Hitler and Mussolini were too afraid to go enter at all.
Neighboring this puzzling paradise is Labirinto Della Masone in Parma, which translates to “The Maze of Masone” and is made from over 200,000 bamboo plants up to 15 meters high. This incredible maze covers eight hectares of land, meaning you may be in there for a while.
The most popular maze in the UK is York Maze, which is ideal for families. This giant “maize maze” is made from over one million maize plants, covering an area larger than eight Wembley football pitches. It is the largest maze in Britain, and each year there’s a new maze design to solve.
Moving over to Spain, in Barcelona, those looking for a romantic escape from the city life can be sure to get lost at Parc del Laberint d’Horta which comes further down our list with just over 5,000 hashtags. It was given its name due to it being one of the most beautiful, still existing garden labyrinths in Europe. For those willing to take on the challenge, in the center of the labyrinth, you’ll find a sculpture of Cupid, the Greek god of love.
Across the pond in California, USA, Cool Patch Pumpkins is where you’ll find a rather unique corn maze. Open seasonally from September, each year the maze is transformed to represent a different theme. In previous years, it’s been reported that families have called 911 after being lost on in the maze for over two hours, which is probably why you must be over 18 to buy a ticket this year.
Australia’s most popular maze is Ashcombe maze in Victoria. The challenge of the Ashcombe Hedge Maze is to find each of the four mosaic flags in the two halves of the maze. The task takes you through hundreds of meters of winding paths in the South Maze through to the Centre Garden – then you tackle the North Maze.
In France, just a short drive from Paris, Instagrammers have been snapping the maze at Jardins de Villandry. The backdrop to the maze is a French 14th-century fortress and World Heritage site.
And, finally if you’re really looking to get lost in another world, Disneyland Park in Shanghai is home to an incredible Alice in Wonderland maze, named ‘Alice’s Curious Labyrinth’ which is unsurprisingly packed with magic, twists, and turns.
** link credit to im-a-puzzle.com.
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