These Gorgeous Fall Hiking Trails Offer the Best Views of Autumn Leaves Across the U.S. and Canada

"As temperatures drop across the U.S. and Canada, the trees become an autumnal mix of red, yellow, and orange hues. Sure, you could appreciate the scenery from a car window, but to fully immerse yourself in the riot of color, lace up those hiking boots and hit one of the best fall trails from Upstate New York to British Columbia."

"If you're looking for a taste of the wilderness in Portland, Oregon, you needn't commit to trekking the full 21-mile Springwater Corridor. The three-mile, north-south Springwater on the Willamette segment, completed in 2005, is a far more manageable alternative. The easy route takes visitors along a disused rail line for a gentle jaunt in one of the Pacific Northwest's loveliest regions."

Ten hikes across North America showcase peak fall colors in diverse landscapes, from Upstate New York and Ontario to British Columbia and Oregon. Routes range from easy rail-trail strolls to moderate out-and-back paths and coastal loops, offering mountaintop vistas, glassy lakes, and waterfalls. Specific options include Portland's Springwater on the Willamette, the Oak Rim Trail in Tug Hill State Forest with views into Inman Gulf and Rainbow Falls, and Ucluelet's Lighthouse Loop on Vancouver Island for coastal scenery. Hikes vary in length and difficulty, appealing to casual walkers, runners, and committed hikers seeking leaf-peeping experiences.

Read at Travel + Leisure