Best places for autumn foliage in Europe

There’s a wonderful expression in North America for when we take time out to watch the leaves change colour in autumn, known as leaf peeping. Foliage adventures are much more of a thing in the US, just as cherry blossom chasing is in Japan. It’s not as if we don’t have spectacular leaf shows going on in the UK and Europe, we just haven’t coined a phrase for it. We have put together a list of our best places for autumn foliage in Europe, however. So, if swathes of colour are what you’re seeking, walk this way. We have some peepy blinders for you.

Walking in Umbria, Italy

Given that Umbria is where the umber reddish brown pigment came from, which translates as terra d’ombra, or earth of Umbria, travelling here during the season when its trees start to match their earth, is pretty special. All year round Umbria is an earthy and exquisite place, with a whole palette of prettiness to explore. But as our Umbrian collection is available throughout October, this is a great time to explore it without the crowds. And, as it’s only an hour from Rome, you can even combine it with a quieter city break. Some of our most popular Umbrian utopias include Walking in the Lake Bolsena region, exploring the tranquil trails of the Cammino dei Borghi Silenti, or exploring the region by e-bike. It’s also the grape harvest season of course, and with Orvieto as the main hub on many of our tours, you won’t be short of wine and wanderlust.

Lake Bolsena may not be as famous as Garda or Como, but it’s a beauty.

Hiking in Serbia

A bit like its megastar tennis player who put it on the map, Serbia is silent, strong and has a grand slam of glories under its belt. They just don’t shout about it. However, it’s starting to be noticed by hikers who want an ace adventure in a Balkan country with a growing track record. Which is why we’re delighted to bring two new Serbian hiking tours to the adventure arena, both available in October. One is in Tara National Park, famous for Drina River Canyon, and the other in Fruška Gora National Park, a short spa break with mountains and monasteries in the mix. Both offer dense forests of beech and fir, oak and linden respectively and, with a collection of reds, oranges and yellows, seasonal Serbia just keeps serving aces.

A lone house in the Drina River, enveloped by seasonal foliage changes. It’s all just too picture perfect in Serbia in autumn.

Cycling in Seville and Sierra de Aracena

This cycling tour combines city time in Seville, the capital of Andalucía, with an escape to the mountains of Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche Natural Park. This is an opportunity not only to take in the multicultural heritage of Seville, but also the ancient autumnal trails of the mountains. For the latter, you are based in a traditional cottage in the heart of the natural park in Alájar, from which you can choose from many mountain trails, depending on your interests and abilities. At this time of year, the meadows, holm and cork oaks, as well as ash, poplar and alders are transformed into a gorgeous gallery. All dotted with ancient sites in the mountains, including Almonaster la Real, a traditional hammam in Linares de la Sierra, and the traditional whitewashed village of Galaroza.

West Highland Way, Scotland

You can still book walking holidays up until the end of October along the West Highland Way in Scotland and, as well as being wonderfully quiet, you get to benefit from an autumnal light show. As you walk through Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, for example, the native broadleaf forests of oak, birch, alder, ash, hazel and rowan start to take on the appearance of a handsome Scottish tweed blanket, especially when interspersed with pink and purple heather which thrives at this time of year. The wild landscapes of Rannoch Moor, also on the West Highland Way is peppered with pinks in autumn. Trust us, you’ll fall for the West Highland Way in October. But it’s a popular time of year to book, so get in early. Our bookings open a year in advance.

Glencoe along the West Highland Way in Scotland is even more majestic in autumn than usual.

Dolomites, Italy

Peak peeping time in the Dolomites is between mid-October and early November and it’s the larches that leap out at you at this time of year. They turn golden yellow and orange in autumn, creating a striking contrast against the exposed, jagged peaks of this mountain range. On our walking holiday in Val Badia, for example, you cross a larch forest as you climb to Lech Parom, with woodland and farmland slowly revealing the Dolomiti peaks. Similarly, on this holiday that takes in parts of the South Tyrol, Dolomites and Lake Garda, the larches are luminescent around Brenta and Lake Andalo, with a cable car ride up to the heights for even better views.

Lake Bled and the Julian Alps, Slovenia

When autumn arrives at Lake Bled, the foliage undergoes a stunning transformation. The trees that surround the lake include birches, maples, beeches and chestnuts, showcasing an array of hues that range from deep reds and oranges to vibrant yellows. The combination of golden foliage, emerald-green lake and the backdrop of the Julian Alps is a winning one. Feel the crisp in the air and crunch underfoot on our Lakes and valleys of the Slovenian Alps holiday, and fall in love with the larches’ golden hues in the Karawanken, Kamnik and Julian Alps, in particular from Pokljuka high plateau (1,280m).

If you thought Lake Bled in Slovenia was just for summer, think again.

The Cotswolds, England

These idyllic uplands are blessed with beech trees, which turn yellow then rose gold in autumn. Take in the colour-rich crown of the Cotswolds, with views from many of their gentle hills in the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Our Cotswolds Way walking holiday is bookable up until mid-October, taking you on a journey through pastoral perfection, covering an undulating and undeniably charming 163km. In addition, you stay at cosy country inns, many with open fires and superb, local seasonal food.

Salzkammergut Lake District, Austria

Salzkammergut is Austria’s lake district and one of the most accessible lake districts in Europe, just under 50km from Salzburg. It’s a landscape of colourful, traditional houses, enveloped by mountains and forest. Already pretty as a picture in summer, the region’s beech, birch, maple, oak and conifers provide a panoply of green, gold, yellow, orange and fiery red. The lakes of Wolfgangsee, Hallstättersee and Mondsee mirror their arborial guardians while the local vineyards add even more flavour to the autumnal display. It’s also a great time of year to drink Glühmos, or warm apple cider, and to tuck into the region’s hearty seasonal cuisine.

The Salzkammergut is *sehr gut* in autumn.

Carpathian Mountains, Romania

Romania and Transylvania in October and November are caped in what looks more like a Pride cloak than a vampire’s one, as the Carpathian Mountain forests turn into a rainbow of greens, yellow, oranges and reds. The beech, fir and spruce trees of the Făgăraș Mountains, in the southern Carpathians transform the landscapes on this Transylvanian Alps holiday. And the beech and maple trees add to the golds and russets in Piatra Craiului National Park, which protects all of the Piatra Craiului Mountain range, also in the southern Carpathians. The ridge walks here are stupendous, with panoramic views of the forests and valleys below. Vampires, no. Bewitching, definitely.

For more autumnal adventures, see all our cycling and walking holidays that are available in the season. You may also enjoy our blogs on the best places to travel in September, October and November. For any more information, contact our adventure specialists.