The crisp fall weather and beautiful foliage hues practically beg you to strap on your pack and get lost in nature with a picturesque hike. We’ve rounded up some of the best hiking destinations for you to catch a glimpse of nature’s beauty this fall.
Great Smokey Mountains National Park
The entire park erupts with hues of orange and red come autumn, but you don’t have to settle for enjoying the sights from your car window. Hiking trails like the Alum Cave Trail, Look Rock Tower Trail and Appalachian Trail all offer an up-close-and-personal look at the park’s beautiful fall colors.
Mount Garfield, New Hampshire
There’s no doubt that New England offers some of the country’s best fall foliage, and you can experience it for yourself with a hike through Mount Garfield in New Hampshire. The hike offers views not just of Mount Garfield but of the foliage covering the nearby Pemigewasset Wilderness and Twin Mountain Ridge, too.
Appalachian Trail, Connecticut
Don’t miss the Appalachian Trail in Connecticut this fall. While the Appalachian Trail often tops travel lists, there’s nothing quite like experiencing this gorgeous hike during the fall season. Try the seven-mile Bear Mountain segment for a forest climb that rewards you with views of the Catskills.
Granite Mountain, Washington
This challenging hike is also quite rewarding, and the steep trail will offer you plenty of opportunities to see the leaves changing colors in Washington. These beautiful views aren’t for the faint of heart, though: the climb is 3,800 feet over 4.3 miles.
Lake Tahoe, California
Who says California doesn’t get fall colors? In Lake Tahoe, you’ll find plenty of fall foliage surrounding the lake. Round up the family and head south of Tahoe to Grover Hot Springs State Park for easy hikes laced with colorful aspen trees and waterfalls.
Ice Age Trail, Wisconsin
Head to Wisconsin’s Ice Age Trail for a relaxing look at the state’s spectacular fall hues. The 1,200-mile trail can be daunting, but you’ll find beautiful scenery along the Monches segment.
