Travel
Go For Gold: 16 Leaf Peeping Destinations For Autumn
Slide Nr 1What it lacks in beach weather, autumn makes up for in unbe-leaf-able beauty – if you know where to look. Some iconic and others lesser-known, these destinations around the world deliver the goods.
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Go For Gold: 16 Leaf Peeping Destinations For Autumn.
Slide Nr 3Ontario, Canada – The country’s east-central province is a treasure trove of colour come autumn, and its many sites of natural splendour mean leaf-peepers are spoiled for choice. Just a couple hours’ drive north from Toronto, the Muskoka area is a favourite for its autumnal trees lining the region’s rivers and lakes – plus October is cranberry harvest season. Be sure to take in Algonquin Provincial Park, dotted with quintessentially Canadian sugar maples and red maples that turn radiant shades of red this time of year. Alternatively, head south from Toronto to view the famous Niagara Falls against a backdrop of seasonal amber and auburn hues, and continue winding along the river on the picturesque Niagara River Parkway, which Winston Churchill once deemed “the prettiest Sunday afternoon drive in the world.”
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Go For Gold: 16 Leaf Peeping Destinations For Autumn.
Slide Nr 4Vermont, USA – On the eastern coast of the US, the Blue Ridge Parkway running through the Appalachian Mountains hogs much of the fall foliage glory, but Vermont isn’t bothered: it has Route 100. The 349-kilometre highway bisects Vermont, running its entire north-south length, and offering prime views across this small but idyllic state that – lucky for leaf peepers – is 75% forest. In autumn, one of the best sections to explore is the Green Mountain Byway passing through Waterbury, Stowe and Hyde Park in north-central Vermont and offering an impossibly bucolic glimpse of New England: gently rolling mountains, quiet farmsteads, clapboard churches, old mills, historic villages and forests ablaze in orange, yellow, red and bright green as far as the eye can see. [Photo: Jim Liestman/Flickr]
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Go For Gold: 16 Leaf Peeping Destinations For Autumn.
Slide Nr 5Alaska, USA – Leaf seekers willing to venture further afield won’t walk away disappointed. For a brief golden moment – after the summer blooms have faded, and before the blistering cold sets in – the Alaskan wilderness puts on quite a show. The taiga glows red, the aspens, birches and balsam poplars dress in yellow, the tundra grass carpets the ground in gold. Denali National Park is a fantastic place to catch this fleeting performance, which can begin as early as August and is often over by early October. As a bonus, it’s a prime time to view wildlife: the caribou are migrating, bears are fattening up for winter and moose are mating. [Photo: NPS Photo/Tim Rains/Flickr]
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Go For Gold: 16 Leaf Peeping Destinations For Autumn.
Slide Nr 6Franconia, Germany – Those who can tear their eyes away from Neuschwanstein Castle and the Alps long enough to head a bit further north, will find that Franconia has a lot to offer the autumn visitor. Explore the unsung but worthy fall foliage and natural beauty of the Franconian Switzerland area and Franconian Lake District. Hike among vineyards high above the Main River. Explore castles, medieval villages and historic cities like Würzburg, Nuremberg and Bamberg. But whatever you do, don’t confuse Franconians with Bavarians: Though located in Bavaria, Franconia – historically and culturally speaking – is a separate entity with its own dialect and cultural heritage. [Photo: ekvidi/Flickr]
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Go For Gold: 16 Leaf Peeping Destinations For Autumn.
Slide Nr 8Perthshire, Scotland – It should come as no surprise that a region called ‘Big Tree Country’ would have plenty to keep leaf peepers entertained. In fact, Perthshire is home to more than 800 square kilometres of woodland that, come autumn, are bathed in rich shades of amber, gold and crimson, and there’s no lack of hikes and walks providing spectacular views of it all. Consider Lady Mary’s Walk, following the River Earn along a path dotted with heritage oaks, beeches, chestnut and lime trees, some more than 150 years old. Or venture into Faskally Wood, a manmade woodland planted in the 19th century as a ‘model forest’. October’s annual Enchanted Forest light and music show, which illuminates the trees by night, has been cancelled for 2020 but is expected to resume next year. [Photo: Karen Bryan/Flickr]
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Go For Gold: 16 Leaf Peeping Destinations For Autumn.
Slide Nr 9London, England – City dwellers don’t always need to travel far to bask in the beauty of the season. For Londoners, it’s as easy as heading for Richmond Park. This national nature reserve, and the largest of the city’s royal parks, boasts some of the best autumn colours in London – especially within the 40-acre Victorian woodland garden of Isabella Plantation. It’s also home to some 630 free-roaming red and fallow deer. For even more botanical fun, visit Kew Gardens and its collection of magnificent plants and trees from around the world, including oaks, maples and other autumnally stunning varieties. Though the popular 18-metre-high Treetop Walkway is closed this year, there are lots of other exciting and educational ways to experience this season at the gardens. [Photo: Ben Bodien/Flickr]
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Go For Gold: 16 Leaf Peeping Destinations For Autumn.
Slide Nr 10Slovenia – Charming villages, alpine peaks, idyllic lakes, medieval cities… Slovenia is the storybook destination you hardly ever think about. And we bet you haven’t considered it as a leaf-peeping destination, either, but you’d be missing out. Lake Bled – that romantic lake with its tiny island church that you’ve surely spotted on a postcard somewhere – is a sight to see once the trees don their seasonal garb, but the hardiest of foliage-seekers will want to head for higher ground. The Julian Alps offer golden-amber vistas far and wide, along with thousands of trails to hike. Narrow down the list – and take in another picturesque, but less crowded lake – by visiting Lake Bohinj in the Triglav National Park.
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Go For Gold: 16 Leaf Peeping Destinations For Autumn.
Slide Nr 11Douro Valley, Portugal – With terraced vineyards sloping briskly into the Douro River, Portugal’s premier wine region serves up drama any time of the year. But in autumn it ups the ante, cloaking its hills in vermillion, amber and bright gold. The best way to take it all in? A river cruise, of course. Or, if you’re looking to avoid crowding into a vessel with other people right now, a panoramic walk or hike is always a solid option.
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Go For Gold: 16 Leaf Peeping Destinations For Autumn.
Slide Nr 12Hraunfossar Falls, Iceland – The land of fire, ice… and fall foliage? Yep. In true Icelandic fashion, though, even the country’s autumnal displays are enhanced by its volcanic nature: the unparalleled place to see vivid seasonal colours is Hraunfossar Falls, a waterfall formed by lava rocks. In September and October, the trees and bushes surrounding the falls glow in shades of red, yellow and orange, in breathtaking contrast to the black rock landscape and the vivid blue glacial waters below.
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Go For Gold: 16 Leaf Peeping Destinations For Autumn.
Slide Nr 13Kyoto, Japan – Leaf peeping in Japan isn’t just a casual hobby – it’s a national pastime. And with its abundance of endemic deciduous trees like gingkos, maples, larches, birches and beeches lighting up the autumn season across the country, Japan is brimming with incredible places to enjoy some momijigari, or ‘red leaf hunting’. The cultural capital of Kyoto is a perennial favourite, with its more than 2,000 temples and shrines cutting an especially impressive figure against the colourful foliage. Highlights include Kodai-ji Temple, Daigoji Temple, Tofuku-ji Temple and the Imperial Palace Park. Be sure to visit the Arashiyama district, famed for its natural beauty with tree-covered hills sloping into the Katsura River; for the best views, take a short joyride on the Sagano Romantic Train.
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Go For Gold: 16 Leaf Peeping Destinations For Autumn.
Slide Nr 15Patagonia, Argentina and Chile – The southern hemisphere leaf-peeping season is of course a long way off, but if you ask us, it’s never too early to start planning ahead. From late March through April, leaf-hunters and adventure-seekers can get their fill of both in Patagonia, when the fierce summer winds have calmed down, most of the tourists have returned home, and the mountain panoramas are at their most colourful. In fact, photographers favour this time of year for the bursts of red and orange foliage that enliven their shots. Both Chile’s Torres Del Paine National Park and Argentina’s Los Glaciares National Park beckon with rugged mountain peaks, forbidding glaciers, tranquil lakes and fascinating wildlife. All you need is a good pair of hiking boots. [Photo: roman korzh/Flickr]
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Go For Gold: 16 Leaf Peeping Destinations For Autumn.
Slide Nr 16Victoria, Australia – The southeastern state of Victoria has plenty to offer foliage fans, starting with the mountainous High Country region about three hours northeast of Melbourne. Historic mining towns dot the richly hued countryside, ripe for exploration by foot or bike, while nipping in and out of the many cafés, pubs and wineries to sample the local goods. Visit in late April, and you can even catch the Autumn Festival in the town of Bright. Closer to Melbourne, the Dandenong Ranges offer ample opportunities for autumn rubbernecking, with maples, beeches and gingko trees adding a splash of colour to the area’s hills, valleys, waterfalls and fern gullies. The Dandenongs are especially known for their many gardens, which can be easily discovered by setting out on the gardens trail. [Photo: Adrian Mohedano/Flickr]
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Go For Gold: 16 Leaf Peeping Destinations For Autumn.
Slide Nr 17South Island, New Zealand – When it comes to southern hemisphere leaf peeping, New Zealand’s South Island is legend. Quaint and historic Arrowtown is an absolute must, with autumnal scenery so iconic that they throw a festival for it every year. Nearby Lake Hayes is also worthy of a peek, as is Queenstown on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. A couple hours’ drive eastward will take you to the Central Otago District, where ‘gold rush’ takes on a different meaning come April. Explore the enchanting forests, fruit farms and vineyards, and whatever you do, make time for a glass of the local vintage.
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