10 Places in the World with The Most Vibrant Autumn Colors

There’s no need to be depressed when the hot days of summer are over and the air begins to cool. Fall is the most beautiful season, a last hurrah before the harsh winds of winter arrive. Here are the most beautiful places in the world to see the glorious fall colors.

#1 Forest of Dean, England

This ancient woodland in Gloucestershire was once a royal hunting ground, and its trees were used to construct Tudor warships. Today, it’s ideal for the more mundane sport of leaf peeping. A rusty riot of yellow and gold is created by the combination of oak, beech, and sweet chestnut. The Dean Forest is easily accessible by foot or bicycle. Just keep an eye out for the wild boar that have resided here since 2006.

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#2 Lombardy, Italy

road in the forest of bagni di masino in autumn. valmasino, valtellina, lombardy, italy

Lombardy in northern Italy is an ideal place to see mainland Europe burst into color, even as the leaves fall. Before their leaves fall to the ground, the native Lombardy poplars, which can be seen throughout the landscape, turn a bright yellow. If you can’t make it to the countryside, Milan’s public gardens provide a beautiful view of autumn in the city.

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#3 Nara, Japan

Fall in Japan is just as beautiful as the brief cherry blossom season in spring. Kouyou (fall leaves) can be seen throughout the country, beginning in the northern island of Hokkaido and quickly spreading south beginning in late September. Nara, the ancient capital of Japan, is a short train ride from Kyoto and makes an excellent viewing location. Its expansive park is awash in color, with spectacular views of red, gold, and yellow leaves along the paths leading up to Tamukeyama shrine in the park’s northeast corner.

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#4 Pitlochry, Scotland

Although Scotland’s pine forests do not change color, its deciduous trees provide some of the best fall colors in Europe. Walk out of town to the dam and fish ladder that separates the Tummel River and Loch Faskally for a spectacular view of the waterside trees as they shed their leaves. Pitlochry also hosts the Enchanted Forest, a nightly event in which the trees in the woods just outside town are lit up to soaring music.

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#5 Dandenong Ranges, Australia

Autumn in Australia does not begin in earnest until March. While you might not associate the land of beaches, surfing, and summer heat with spectacular fall color, the Dandenong Ranges near Melbourne do not disappoint. Aside from being a breathtakingly beautiful national park, the area is also dotted with manicured gardens. When the lawns are carpeted with fallen leaves and the trees are aglow, the Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens are a must-see.

Accommodation in the Dandenong Ranges

#6 White Mountains, New Hampshire, USA

It’s difficult to pick just one must-see fall attraction in New England. But New Hampshire’s White Mountains are without a doubt one of the best places in the world to see autumn at its most colorful, not just in New England. Hike through the hills in early October to see the brilliant red maple leaves, or drive to Silver Cascade Falls in Carroll County to see the trees glow next to the 250-foot waterfall.

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#7 Bishop Creek Canyon, California

Just because the northeast of the United States has spectacular fall foliage doesn’t mean you should overlook the west coast. California’s inland forests provide an excellent alternative, with the reds and yellows of autumn lasting longer in the Golden State due to its vastly different elevation. Bishop Creek Canyon is one of several excellent viewing areas. The golden leaves in the Sierra Nevada Mountains contrast beautifully with the rocky hills.

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#8 Agawa Canyon, Canada

This autumn, take the Agawa Canyon Tour Train to see some of the most beautiful fall foliage on the planet. The ride begins in Sault Ste Marie and travels 114 miles through unspoiled country that is at its best as the days grow shorter. Throughout the early twentieth century, these views inspired Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven, Canada’s most prominent landscape artists. You’ll need to act quickly because the leaves only peak for a few weeks at the end of September and beginning of October.

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#9 Loire Valley, France

With the leaves on the vines changing and the summer crowds departing, there is no better time to visit France’s Loire Valley than fall. The rolling vineyards glow as they trade in the greens of summer for the yellows, browns, and burnt oranges of autumn. It’s also harvest season, so you can watch the grapes being picked in the fields before retiring to a cozy spot to enjoy the scenery with a glass of the local beverage.

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#10 Huangshan, China

Huangshan, or Yellow Mountain, is arguably the best place in China to witness the splendor of autumn. The vertiginous peaks of the range are covered in trees that turn a beautiful, bright red throughout October, attracting crowds from Beijing and Shanghai. Its famous wispy clouds give it an especially ethereal atmosphere. Come here at sunrise to see the best of the fall foliage.

Accommodation in Huangshan Mountain

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