Chasing Autumn Colors: Where to See the Most Spectacular Fall Foliage in North America and Europe

Dmitri Yusov  | ANNO Media

The Autumn Equinox has passed, the air turns crisp, and trees transform into nature’s most dazzling spectacle. For centuries, poets, painters, and travelers alike have been drawn to the golden blaze of fall foliage — a fleeting season of beauty that feels both nostalgic and celebratory. Whether you are in North America or Europe, there are unforgettable places to witness this magical display.

North America

New Hampshire, USA
New England is world-famous for its foliage, and New Hampshire is at its heart. Driving the Kancamagus Highway or standing atop Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast, you’ll see endless forests of sugar maples, oaks, and birches, all glowing in fiery red, orange, and gold.

Vermont, USA
Neighboring Vermont is equally enchanting. Its small towns, covered bridges, and rolling hills make for postcard-perfect scenes. The Green Mountains erupt in kaleidoscopic hues every October, especially around Stowe and Woodstock.

Your author witnessed this autumn beauty precisely Vermont and New Hampshire several years ago and it’s a unique experience that stays in one’s heart.

Great Smoky Mountains, USA
Further south, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the Tennessee–North Carolina border is home to one of the longest fall color seasons in the world. From late September until early November, the elevation differences create layers of changing foliage — from scarlet maples to golden hickories.

Algonquin Park, Ontario, Canada
Canada’s vast landscapes turn into a painter’s palette in autumn. Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario is famous for its lakes reflecting forests of sugar maples. Canoeing here during peak foliage is an unforgettable experience.

Laurentians, Quebec, Canada
Just north of Montreal, the Laurentian Mountains offer charming villages, cozy lodges, and forests of red maples that peak in late September to early October. A ride on the panoramic gondolas in Mont-Tremblant reveals a rainbow of autumn shades.

Cider Season in the US
Let’s don’t forget that Autumn in North America is also cider season. In the United States, cider usually means a hot spiced apple drink without alcohol — unlike in Europe, where “cider” traditionally refers to a fermented beverage. On crisp fall days in New England or the Great Smoky Mountains, nothing feels more authentic than sipping a steaming cup of apple cider at a farm stand, often paired with fresh doughnuts or pumpkin pie. It’s part of the cozy charm of the American fall experience.

Europe

Bavarian Alps, Germany
In Germany, autumn colors cloak the Bavarian Alps, surrounding fairy-tale castles like Neuschwanstein. The contrast of evergreens, golden larches, and snow-dusted peaks creates a scene that could belong to a romantic painting.

Lake District, England
The Lake District in northern England offers moody skies and reflections of russet trees in mirror-like waters. Walking paths around Grasmere or Windermere are especially magical when autumn light softens the hills.

Loire Valley, France
France’s Loire Valley, with its vineyards and Renaissance châteaux, bursts into warm autumn shades by late October. The rows of vines turn deep crimson and gold, while chestnut and oak trees line the rivers in fiery brilliance.

Dolomites, Italy
In northern Italy, the Dolomites become an autumn wonderland. Larch forests glow golden under sharp limestone peaks, while alpine meadows are dotted with seasonal flowers. It’s one of Europe’s most striking mountain landscapes, particularly at sunrise and sunset.

Lake Bled & Julian Alps, Slovenia
Slovenia’s Lake Bled, with its iconic island church, is even more enchanting when surrounded by the fiery tones of autumn leaves. Hiking in the nearby Julian Alps in October offers quiet trails with dramatic foliage views.

Scottish Highlands, Scotland
The rugged Highlands of Scotland take on a mystical atmosphere in autumn. Heather moors, copper-colored bracken, and golden birch trees contrast with deep lochs and stone castles — a wild, dramatic canvas.

A Season for Travelers and Dreamers

Autumn’s colors are fleeting, but perhaps that’s what makes them so precious. Whether you’re crossing the White Mountains in New Hampshire, paddling in a Canadian lake, or walking a medieval path in Bavaria, you’re part of an ancient tradition — chasing the season’s most beautiful farewell before winter arrives.

Tip: Peak foliage varies every year depending on weather. In general, late September to mid-October is best in northern regions, while southern Europe and lower elevations keep their colors until late October or even November.