5 ways to get all up in Canada’s fall colours
Updated 10/23
For a lot of us, the end of summer is bittersweet. It’s the end of long, sunny, warm days, lazy evenings and weekend adventures. But it also means the beginning of fall. Less sweat! More sweaters! And, of course, fall colours. Sure, you can wander the streets to admire the vibrant orange, yellow and red foliage on your favourite maple tree, but here are some of the best ways to get out there and actually do something among the trees as the seasons change.
Hiking among the larches in Banff National Park
In September, the larch trees of Banff National Park turn a bright golden yellow. Normally conifers like larches are considered evergreens, and they stay green for, uh, ever, but larches are actually deciduous, and their needles turn yellow and fall off each autumn. This means you get a blast of colour among the evergreens in places like the Rockies, and photos just can’t do it justice. Late September is peak yellow time, so act fast to catch this year’s display. Larch Valley is one of the more popular hiking routes among these trees, but Parks Canada has a few alternate routes to try instead (or as well).
Exploring in the picturesque Cantons-de-l'Est region
Less than one hour from Montreal, the magnificent Eastern Townships (Cantons-de-l'Est) impresses with its rolling landscapes, making it an autumn lover's dream come true.
Charming little towns are scattered throughout this region, and places like Sutton and Magog offer quaint boutiques, cozy cafés, and a warm, friendly atmosphere, making them perfect for a leisurely stroll.
Make the most of your trip by visiting Mont-Orford National Park. Its hiking and biking trails take on a whole new level of magic as the leaves change colour. And when you're exhausted from all your fall adventures, you can check into HI Magog-Orford for a good night's rest.
Cycling through the seasons in Whistler
The West Coast has a lot of things going for it but fall colour isn’t really near the top of the list. Because evergreen trees reign supreme in this rainforest climate, there aren’t a whole lot of leaves to turn come autumn. You’ll definitely find pops here and there and, in a way, this smattering of colours is an impressive sight in its own right. Rent a bike at HI Whistler and cycle around this bike-friendly community. At Rainbow Park on Alta Lake, rest under a colourful maple and gaze out across the lake at the tree-covered mountains with pockets of orange and yellow among a sea of green.
Canoeing in Algonquin Park
Ontario’s Algonquin Provincial Park totally explodes with colours come fall and it all starts a little bit earlier here than spots farther south. With over 2,000 kilometres of canoe routes, one of the best ways to get your first glimpse of fall here is from the water. Lakes and rivers carve through the forests, and you may even spot some classic Canadian wildlife like loons, moose and beavers along the way.
Head into the park from the East Gate or West Gate on Hwy 60 and you’ll find a number of outfitters that can hook you up with rental gear (though watch out for seasonal closures after Thanksgiving).
Taking the scenic route on the Cabot Trail
Nova Scotia’s Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island is pretty much a permanent fixture on every single Best Road Trip list ever. This winding road circumnavigates the Cape Breton Highlands with stellar views across the ocean and picture-perfect vantage points over the hilly terrain, which morphs from green to yellowy-orange in the fall. You can take it all in with a long, slow road trip (travel counter-clockwise to stick to the outside lane) and make frequent stops at viewpoints, or take it even slower and hike some of the local trails. Early to mid-October is usually the peak colour-pop season.
