Hikers Find House Built Into Hillside — Then They Take a Look Inside

The Grass Roof

Before Ben and Laura left, Martin took them around the side of the house. A narrow path climbed above the windows, following the natural rise of the ground. From there, the building almost vanished. Grass covered the roof. Low plants spilled over the edges. Only a few rooflights, vents, and the metal chimney hinted that several rooms existed beneath their feet.

Martin explained that camouflage had never been the main goal. He simply did not want the house to become the most noticeable object in the valley. The land had been there long before him, and he wanted it to remain the thing people saw first. That decision had made the project harder and more expensive, but he never regretted it.

Ben and Laura thanked him and returned to the trail. After several minutes, Laura finally looked back. She could still see the slope, the grass, and the line of stone where the path curved away. She knew exactly where the living room windows should be, yet she could barely find them. The strange house had disappeared because its owner had allowed the hill to remain more important than the building.