As autumn arrives, it opens the door to a different kind of travel experience, where the changing landscapes offer a breathtaking visual journey. With shorter days and cooler air, the world is painted in a palette of red, orange, and yellow, inviting travelers to explore scenic routes across North America, Europe, and Asia. While the eastern coast of the United States is a well-known destination for leaf-peeping, the practice of traveling to admire autumn foliage is widespread, with many other regions offering equally stunning views. Seven routes, each with its own unique charm, promise unforgettable autumn escapes.
In England, the Dean Forest route from Symonds Yat Rock to Goodrich Castle covers 80 kilometers and takes 2-3 hours. This path, located at the border of England and Wales, passes through the Dean Forest and the Wye Valley, where the trees change color in October. Chestnuts, oaks, maples, hawthorns, and ash trees turn golden, orange, and purple. The journey includes viewpoints and trails, starting at Symonds Yat Rock, which offers a panoramic view of the colorful trees and winding waters of the Wye River. Travelers can also visit the Cyril-Hart Arboretum, home to over 200 tree species, before heading to Goodrich Castle and enjoying the views from Coppett Hill.
In Japan, a route from Ueda, Nagano to Nikko, Tochigi spans 349 kilometers and takes 7-9 hours. This route is the Japanese version of the German Romantic Road, inspired by the famous route that crosses Bavaria. Before departing from Ueda, visitors can see Ueda Castle, where the surrounding maples turn a brilliant red and the ginkgo trees turn golden. The journey continues through Nagano Prefecture to the mountains of Gunma Prefecture, passing thermal cities like Kusatsu, before entering Tochigi Prefecture. Near Nikko, Lake Chuzenji is particularly beautiful from mid-October to November, when the surrounding maples and katsuras are adorned in red and yellow.
In the United States, the route from Stamford to Newport in Vermont spans 348 kilometers and takes 5 hours. Starting from Stamford, a city three hours from Boston, the Vermont Route 100 showcases the region's autumn beauty. The route follows the Green Mountains, where orange and crimson maples mix with yellow birches and maples. Vermont is the leading producer of maple syrup in the country, and travelers can taste this famous product at the Great Mountain Sugar House in Ludlow or purchase a variety of locally made goods at the Vermont Country Store in Weston.
In Canada, the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia spans 298 kilometers and takes 5-7 hours. The route begins and ends in the town of Baddeck, approximately 3.5 hours from the provincial capital, Halifax. It winds along the rugged Atlantic coastline and the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. From late September to mid-October, sugar maples and red maples, birches, and yellow American maples take on brilliant colors. Travelers can stop for a 6.5-kilometer hike on the Skyline Trail near Chéticamp to see the bright red and yellow hues contrast with the green of the surrounding pines and firs while enjoying the views over the gulf.
In Germany, the Romantic Road from Würzburg to Füssen in Bavaria spans 467 kilometers and takes 4-5 hours. This route leads travelers through the heart of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, passing through picturesque medieval towns like Rothenburg ob der Tauber, known for its narrow streets and half-timbered houses. As travelers approach Füssen, they can stop at Neuschwanstein Castle, which is especially impressive in October when the surrounding woods, a mix of sycamores, maples, and oaks, take on coppery, golden, and crimson hues.
In Romania, the route from Curtea de Argeș to Cârțioara along the Transfăgărășan Road spans 114 kilometers and takes 3-4 hours. Starting from Curtea de Argeș, a city in central southern Romania, this route follows the Transfăgărășan Road, known for its tight and hair-raising turns through the Făgăraș Mountains. The maples and oaks in the forests turn brilliant red, rust, and gold, standing out against the deep green of the pines. Travelers can make a stop for a hike at Lake Bâlea, the highest point on the route, located at an altitude of 2,034 meters. The road is best explored at the beginning of autumn, as the high-altitude section closes due to snowfall from the end of October to the end of June.
In the United States, the San Juan Skyway in Colorado spans 380 kilometers and takes 6-7 hours. Known as the "Skyway," this loop route winds through the San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado. Starting from Durango, approximately six hours from Denver, the route includes popular stops such as the historic mining towns of Silverton, Telluride, and Ouray, the latter of which is nicknamed the "American Little Switzerland." From late September to early October, the mountains offer an impressive spectacle, with trembling aspens, poplars, and Gambel oaks displaying vibrant colors along the road.
Autumn Travel Routes Across the Globe Offer Spectacular Foliage Experiences
AI-rewritten from original reportingHow it works
autumntravelnaturescenic-routesfoliageseasonal-travel



