Autumn is just around the corner, bringing the perfect chill in the air, landscapes prettier than ever, and vibrant colors all around. Though short-lived, the season brings immense joy while it lasts. For photography enthusiasts, nothing surpasses autumn’s vivid hues. Forests burst into dazzling displays of red, orange, yellow, and gold. From Canada’s eastern provinces, like Quebec and Ontario, with their fiery maple forests, to Japan’s Hokkaido, with its crimson and amber maples, autumn’s spectacles are unforgettable. Here are seven countries with the most colorful autumn landscapes.
Canada
Canada’s autumn is something worth travelling for. The forests transform into a kaleidoscope of fiery reds, oranges, yellows, and golds, especially in the eastern provinces. Quebec’s Laurentian Mountains and Ontario’s Algonquin Provincial Park are iconic for their sugar maples, red maples, and oaks, which produce intense crimson and amber hues. The Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia winds through coastal cliffs and hardwood forests, offering panoramic views of scarlet and gold against the Atlantic. In Western Canada, British Columbia’s Canadian Rockies feature golden aspens, and places like Banff and Yoho National Parks showcase vibrant foliage against snowy peaks. The season typically peaks from mid-September to mid-October.
Japan
In Japan, autumn is called “koyo,” a cultural and natural phenomenon. This is when the maple trees steal the show in shades of crimson, orange, and yellow. The meticulously tended gardens of Kyoto are famous for Japanese maples, whose red and golden foliage will definitely win your heart. In Hokkaido, the season starts around late September. The birch and maple displays are simply stunning. Japan’s autumn is deeply tied to tradition, with “momijigari” (leaf-hunting) outings drawing locals and tourists to scenic spots.
Germany
Germany’s autumn means a lot of gold, red, and orange, particularly in the Black Forest and Bavarian Alps. The Black Forest’s dense woodlands, filled with beech, oak, and elm trees, create a warm and colourful scenery that contrasts with evergreen pines. Autumn in Germany aligns with cultural events like Oktoberfest in Munich.
Slovenia
Slovenia offers a breathtaking autumn display centered around Lake Bled, one of the world’s most picturesque destinations. The lake’s turquoise waters reflect bronze, gold, and red foliage from surrounding beech, maple, and linden trees. The Triglav National Park, encompassing much of the Julian Alps, features alpine meadows and forests that turn golden in October.
Finland
Finland’s “ruska” season, particularly in Lapland, is a vibrant celebration of autumn, with forests of silver birch, mountain ash, and aspen turning red, yellow, and orange. Oulanka National Park is a highlight. Here you will find rolling hills and river valleys exploding with color. The season is short, typically peaking in September.
Italy
Italy’s autumn is a warm, golden affair, with regions like Tuscany and Lombardy offering vibrant displays. In Tuscany, the Chianti region’s vineyards turn red and gold. The oak and chestnut forests of Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, glow under the autumn sun. For a unique experience, visit the Dolomites, where larch forests turn golden against jagged peaks.
South Korea
Seoul’s Namsan Park and Olympic Park feature maples and ginkgoes that turn crimson and gold, while Gyeongbokgung Palace’s grounds offer a serene backdrop of ancient architecture and colorful trees. The season peaks from October to early November, with cultural events like the Seoul Lantern Festival or harvest celebrations enhancing the experience.
