By Dan Mathers
Hiking doesn’t get any better than autumn in the Northeast.
Each year, our region’s mountain peaks, rolling hills, and expansive forests explode into a jaw-dropping display of vibrant colors. The spectacular views combined with the crisp temperatures mean that, for a few weeks each year, there’s no better place in the world to enjoy hiking than the Northeast.
If you want to hit the trails this fall, here are 15 incredible fall foliage hikes you will definitely enjoy.
Mount Moosilauke, New Hampshire
Mount Moosilauke is 4,802 feet high and is a challenging climb. But its bare summit provides stunning panoramic views of Vermont to the west and the rest of the White Mountains that make it worth the effort. Enjoy a 7.6-mile loop hike by taking Gorge Brook Trail to the summit, then head down the Carriage Road to Snapper Trail until it rejoins Gorge Brook.
Middlesex Fells, Massachusetts
The 2,575-acre Middlesex Fells Reservation is located just north of Boston and is one of the most beloved fall hikes in the region. The Fells is home to many excellent trails, but the favorite this time of year is the Skyline Trail, which follows the perimeter of the western Fells for roughly seven miles.
Cadillac Mountain, Maine
It’s a special sight when autumn’s reds, oranges, and yellows nestle up against the blue ocean water of the Maine coast. That added color makes the region’s spectacular fall foliage even more breathtaking. Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park provides truly inspiring views. Hike the North Ridge Trail 2.2 miles up to Cadillac’s 1,528-foot summit to enjoy views in every direction.
Overlook Mountain, New York
Purists might scoff at the gravel road trail, but those autumn views from the summit of Overlook Mountain are worth it. This popular hike in the Catskills is 4.6 miles round trip. Along the way it features the ruins of an old hotel and a firetower offering dramatic views
Mount Hunger, Vermont
This 3,540-foot peak near Stowe features impressive views of the surrounding area, including nearby Mount Mansfield and Camel’s Hump. Take the Waterbury Trail for an up-and-back hike that is roughly 4 miles round trip. Mount Hunger is an especially popular peak in the fall, so beat the crowds and get there early.
Bear Mountain, Connecticut
In the far northwest corner of Connecticut, Bear Mountain offers arguably the best views of fall foliage in the state. It is Connecticut’s tallest peak, standing at 2,316 feet, and is located inside 276-acre Mount Riga State Park. The roughly 6-mile Bear Mountain Trail is a loop trail with steady climbing and a few steep, rocky sections.
Mount Monadnock, New Hampshire
Everyone knows Monadnock. But it’s so popular because the views are spectacular. It stands 3,165 feet, and it’s most popular route is a loop along the White Dot and White Cross trails, but beginners should be aware it does feature some rock scrambles. Perhaps a more beginner-friendly route is taking the Red Spot Trail up to the Pumpelly Trail. To the south, you can view the entirety of Massachusetts, from the Boston skyline in the east to Mount Greylock in the west. You can also enjoy great views of tall peaks in Vermont and the White Mountains to the north.
Tumbledown Mountain, Maine
Tumbledown Mountain in western Maine stands 3,054 feet and has several trails for hikers to choose from. The Tumbledown Mountain Trail is a popular 5.6-mile loop that will take you by the scenic alpine pond near the top. At the summit, hikers enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
Indian Head & Rainbow Falls, New York
This hike in the Adirondack High Peaks is pure magic in the fall. A roughly 10-mile round trip hike begins at the trailhead at the Ausable Club. A long but gradual trek brings hikers past Rainbow Falls before ascending to Indian Head, one of the most photographed overlooks in the Adirondacks. The cliffside perch offers a stunning, birds-eye view of Lower Ausable Lake, surrounded by a patchwork quilt of fall color sprawling across the High Peaks.
Holyoke Range, Massachusetts
The Holyoke Range offers a fun, challenging hike with constantly-changing, spectacular views of the Pioneer Valley from numerous lookouts along the ridge. The full Seven Sisters Trail is an 8-mile hike along the range, which is like a sawtooth up and down each peak, with rocky climbs and descents, interesting rock formations, and beautiful forest. For a shorter hike that gives you the best features of the trail, we’d recommend the 4.5-mile hike between the base of Mount Norwottuck and the Summit House in Skinner State Park on Mount Holyoke. Hike it with a friend, parking one vehicle at the Notch Visitor Center and the other vehicle at the other end of the trail at Skinner.
Mount Mansfield, Vermont
A hike up Mount Mansfield is always rewarding, but in autumn the state’s highest peak is at its best. Several trails lead to the 4,393-foot summit with majestic views of nearby mountains and colorful woodlands below. The Mount Mansfield Loop Trail totals a little over seven miles and is challenging, with a couple very technical sections, so it’s not for inexperienced hikers. But those who do climb it enjoy a long stretch above treeline and great views of the fall foliage surrounding the area.
Mount Tom, Rhode Island
Rhode Island is home to a surprising number of wonderful fall hiking destinations. Among them is Mount Tom in the Arcadia Management Area, which features more than 14,000 mostly wooded acres. At just 272 feet, it’s not much of a climb, but it is high enough to provide beautiful views of the surrounding area. You can hike up to the summit and back down for a total of a little over three miles, or you can descend the other side and do a loop hike of roughly seven miles.
Giant Ledge & Panther Mountain, New York
This roughly 6-mile round trip hike offers one of the best viewpoints in the Catskills for fall foliage. Giant Ledge features a series of rocky outcrops looking over a dense forested valley. Continue on to Panther Mountain if you want a little more mileage and a 3,720-foot summit.
Mount Carrigain, New Hampshire
Home to what is widely considered the best view in the White Mountains, Mount Carrigain provides a lot of reward to hikers who summit its 4,682-foot peak. Hiking up and back along the Signal Ridge Trail means a total of roughly 10 miles with more than 3,400 feet of elevation gain, so it’s no cakewalk. But those views from the observation tower at the summit are worth it.
Mount Greylock, Massachusetts
The Bay State’s highest peak stands at 3,491 feet and features a large summit that overlooks the surrounding Berkshires and into southern Vermont and eastern New York. Several scenic trails criss-cross the mountain, making it easy to create a loop hike. The popular Hopper Trail up to the summit passes through old growth forest and provides beautiful views. The entire hike is about 5 miles. On the summit, you can climb the Veterans War Memorial Tower and get food at Bascom Lodge.
