The world’s best places to see fall colors

The dog days of summer are over, but despite the chill in the air, there’s no need to be downhearted. Autumn is the most spectacular season, a last hurrah before the bitter winds of winter take hold. Here are some of the best stunning destinations to witness glorious fall color. 

Nara – Japan

Fall in Japan is every bit as stunning as the short-lived haname cherry blossom season in spring. Kouyou (autumn leaves) can be seen across the country, starting in the northern island of Hokkaidō and spreading quickly south from the end of September. The ancient capital of Nara, a short train ride from Kyoto, makes a wonderful viewing spot. Its vast park is awash with color, with sensational views of red, gold and yellow leaves along the paths up to Tamukeyama shrine in its northeast corner.

The window for fall colors in Canada's Agawa Canyon is short but spectacular © hstiver / Getty Images

Agawa Canyon – Canada

Hop on board the Agawa Canyon Tour Train this autumn and you’ll be treated to some of the most beautiful fall foliage on the planet. The ride sets off from Sault Ste Marie on the Canada–USA border, covering 114 miles of unspoilt country that looks its best as the days begin to close in. The views here inspired Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven, Canada’s most prominent landscape artists, throughout the early 20th century. You’ll need to be quick though, as the leaves peak for a brief period around the end of September and beginning of October.

The Forest of Dean near England's border with Wales, has a mystical atmosphere © James Osmond / Getty Images

Forest of Dean – England

This ancient woodland in Gloucestershire was once used as a royal hunting ground; its trees were also used to make Tudor warships. Today, it’s the perfect spot for the more prosaic sport of "leaf peeping". The mix of oak, beech and sweet chestnut provides a rusty riot of yellow and gold. The Forest of Dean can be easily covered on foot or bike. Just keep an eye out for the wild boar that have called this place home since 2006.

New England is known for leaf peeping and New Hampshire might have the best of all © Claire Gentile / Getty Images

White Mountains – New Hampshire, USA

New England is synonymous with "fall" and picking one must-see spot isn’t easy. But New Hampshire’s White Mountains are surely one of the best places to see autumn at its most colorful, not just in New England, but the world. Hike through the hills at the start of October and you’ll be treated to brilliant red maple leaves. Or drive to Silver Cascade Falls in Carroll County to see the trees glow next to the 250ft waterfall.

The vineyards of the Loire Valley turn gold in the fall © Bertin_Poiree / Getty Images

Loire Valley – France

With the leaves on the vines turning and the summer hordes heading home, there’s never a better time to visit France’s Loire Valley. The rolling vineyards look radiant as they shed the greens of warmer months for the yellows, browns and burnt oranges of fall. It’s also harvest time, so you can see the grapes being picked in the fields, before retiring to a cozy spot to take in the view with a glass of the local tipple.

Misty autumn with red foliage in China's Huangshan Mountain © can xu / Getty Images

Huangshan Mountain – China

Huangshan, or Yellow Mountain, is arguably the best place in China to see fall in all its glory. The range’s vertiginous peaks are covered in trees that turn a beautiful, bright red throughout October, with crowds flocking from Běijīng and Shanghai to take pictures. Its renowned wispy clouds give it a particularly ethereal, Chinese atmosphere. Head here at sunrise to see the foliage at its very best.

California is not as well known as America's eastern states for fall colors, but that's beginning to change © Ron and Patty Thomas / Getty Images

Bishop Creek Canyon – California, USA

Just because the northeast USA gets amazing autumn color doesn’t mean you should discount the west coast. California’s inland forests offer a great alternative, with the reds and yellows of fall holding on longer in the Golden State thanks to its hugely varied elevation. Bishop Creek Canyon is one of a number of great viewing points. Nestled in the Sierra-Nevada Mountains in Inyo County, the golden leaves here look amazing with the rocky hills as a backdrop.

The deciduous trees in Scotland are stunning when the weather starts to cool © David Henderson / Getty Images

Pitlochry – Scotland

Scotland’s pine forests may not change color, but its deciduous trees offer some of the finest autumn hues in Europe. Walk out of town to the dam and fish ladder, which separates the River Tummel and Loch Faskally, to get the perfect view of waterside trees as they shed their leaves. Each October Pitlochry also plays host to the Enchanted Forest, a nightly event that sees the trees lit up to soaring music in the woods just outside town.

See European autumn colors from the mountain village of San Giorgio in northern Italy © Francesco Bergamaschi / Getty Images

Lombardy – Italy

Still mild even as the leaves fall, Lombardy in northern Italy is an ideal place to see mainland Europe burst into color. The native Lombardy poplars, which can be seen across the landscape, turn a bright yellow before their leaves fall to the floor. If you can’t make it to the countryside, Milan’s public gardens offer a great city view of autumn.

The Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens in Australia's Dandenongs © Tsvi Braverman / EyeEM / Getty Images

Dandenong Ranges – Australia

Aussie autumn doesn’t kick off in earnest until March. And while you wouldn’t usually associate the land of beaches, surfing and summer heat with glorious fall color, the Dandenong Ranges near Melbourne don’t disappoint. As well as being a national park of breathtaking beauty, the area is also dotted with manicured gardens. The Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens are definitely worth a visit when the lawns are carpeted with fallen leaves and the trees are aglow.