Here in the UK, there are numerous places we can admire those autumnal hues. From Winkworth Arboretum (a personal favourite) to the Lake District, Forest of Dean, the Cotswolds and of course Westonbirt Arboretum. But if we were to go anywhere in the world, where would we go?
With over 70% of Japan covered with deciduous forest, autumn colour is immense. Initially colour is reserved for the mountains which are accessible by train, bus or ropeway. The second half of the autumn season sees colour descend into Japan’s cities in the parks and gardens. Popular spots include Kiyomizudera, Tofukuji Temple and Eikando in Kyoto to name just a few.
Beijing is the most accessible place to enjoy autumn in China with pine, maple and persimmon trees dotting the landscape and traditional buildings. The Great Wall of China has trees lining much of its 4,000 mile length and Yellow Mountain, with its wispy clouds, is always a favourite. The Jiuzhai Valley however is well known for its spectacular scenery with the forests in this Unesco World Heritage site at their most beautiful in autumn.
New England is synonymous with the fall with ‘leaf peeping’ popular in all six states. Popular parks and forests include Haystack Mountain, Macedonia Brook, Mohawk State, Pachaug State, Sleeping Giant and Shenipsit. In Maine, Arcadia National Park offers an explosion of colour. Massachusetts’ peaks and valleys are ideal especially in the Central region and Berkshire mountains. In New Hampshire, the White Mountains are a must where you’ll also find 100 waterfalls. Blackstone Valley in Rhode Island has its brightest colours in October. Finally in Vermont, there’s Hogback Mountain, Lake Champlain and the Taconic valley.
There are a number of places to see autumn colour in New York. From the red maples and sassafras trees in Alley Pond Park, to Greenbelt’s 2,800 acres of parks and woodland and the Thain Family Forest at the Botanical Gardens. Central Park has an abundance of colour from the conservatory garden at East 106th Street to the pond between 5th and 6th Avenues. Outside the city, the Walkway Over the Hudson has 360 degree views of the fall. There’s also Bear Mountain State Park which is situated in mountains rising from the west bank of the river.
The west coast of the States also offers amazing colour. One of the best places in California is Inyo National Forest where there are dogwoods, maples and aspens. Bishop Creek Canyon, June Lake Loop and Plumas County boast autumnal hues too. There’s also intense colour to be found in Napa Valley and Santa Barbara vineyards.
In Colorado, the White River National Forest is a must see with 2 million acres to explore. It’s home to the Maroon Bells, two of the most photographed mountains in North America.
In Canada the Agawa Canyon train tour, which runs from Sault Ste Marie, travels through the oldest mountain range in the world. It’s one of the most popular train excursions in North America and travels through lakes, rivers and forest. In Quebec there’s the Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier, Mont-Sainte-Anne and the spectacular Canyon Ste-Anne.
Meanwhile in Europe, there’s Bruges in Belgium, Oslo in Norway, Prague in the Czech Republic, the Loire Valley and Champagne Vineyards in France, Koli National Park in Finland, De Hoge Veluwe National Park and Amsterdam in the Netherlands, avarian Alps and Munich in Germany and Lake Bled in Slovenia.
