The Best Hikes in the U.S. and Canada for Fall

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 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. Be it a stroll through Ontario's Algonquin Provincial Park or sightseeing in Vermont's bucolic backyard, some of the best leaf peeping can be seen on foot. The cooler weather is also ideal for exploring Arizona's beautiful desert terrain. Get ready for mountaintop vistas, glass lakes, or roaring waterfalls on these 10 hikes for fall.

• For an easy walk, explore the Springwater on the Willamette rail trail segment of the larger Springwater Corridor in Portland, Oregon.
• For a moderate trek, follow the Oak Rim Trail into a deep ravine in Rodman, New York's Tug Hill State Forest.
• For a challenge, climb switchbacks up to the summit of Tom's Thumb in Scottsdale, Arizona.
• For an accessible trail, the Lighthouse Loop in Ucluelet, British Columbia, is flat and even enough for wheelchairs and strollers.

Read on for the full list of our favorite fall hikes in the U.S. and Canada.

Springwater on the Willamette in Portland, Oregon

If you're looking for a taste of the wilderness in Portland, 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.

Oak Rim Trail in Rodman, New York

In the Adirondacks, you'll find this scenic out-and-back trail in Tug Hill State Forest, the home of the glorious Rainbow Falls. Just 2.2 miles long, this is a moderate but straightforward trail popular with runners. The route follows the deep ravine of Inman Gulf, so you can get a good top-down look at the fall canopy at the height of autumn's spectacle.

Tom's Thumb Trail in Scottsdale, Arizona

Located on the north side of the McDowell Mountains in Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Tom's Thumb is a dramatic rock formation that resembles a raised thumb, surrounded by desert. The hike to the summit is a little over two miles, and phenomenal views make this one of the most popular trails in Scottsdale. Be warned, though, that the steep inclines and seemingly endless switchbacks can be seriously challenging. Since the city is a top spa destination, any post-hike activity worth its salt ought to involve a massage at one of Scottsdale's premier resorts.

Lighthouse Loop in Ucluelet, British Columbia

British Columbia is known as a terrific place for the outdoorsy, and this hike on Vancouver Island's west coast fits that reputation. The Lighthouse Loop is arguably the most scenic section of the larger Wild Pacific Trail system. It can be combined with the longer Bog Interpretive Loop and Spring Cove mudflats, but you can walk just this 1.6-mile portion for glorious views of the Amphitrite Point Lighthouse, which is particularly mesmerizing at sunset or sunrise. It's an easy and approachable hike for all levels.

Dismal Trail Loop in Cleveland, South Carolina

Instead of hiking in South Carolina's summer heat, visit Caesars Head State Park in the fall and spot wildlife against a backdrop of stunning foliage. Located in the Blue Ridge Escarpment, the park is just outside of Greenville, which can be used as a base for exploring the region. The 8.3-mile Dismal Trail Loop has some challenging terrain, making it a formidable option for advanced hikers. The suspension bridge over Matthews Creek gives you a great view of Raven Cliff Falls and stable ground to pause and rest your legs between all the switchbacks and steep climbs.

Haystack Mountain Trail in Wilmington, Vermont

There's no danger of running out of hiking options in the Green Mountain State, but while the 272-mile Long Trail tends to get all the attention, Haystack Mountain's 4.8-mile out-and-back trail is worth a day hike. The "mud season" that follows ski resort closures in the spring slowly gives way to lush summer greenery and wildflowers galore, but anyone who's witnessed Vermont's vibrant foliage would agree that the best time of year to visit is fall. A trek up to Haystack's summit at this time of year rewards you with pops of burnished reds, oranges, and yellows.

Skyline Trail in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

Mount Rainier National Park is perhaps most popular for spring hiking due to the sprawling wildflower fields, but it puts on another colorful show come fall. Along the Skyline Trail, you can enjoy the shifting shades of huckleberry bushes in addition to stunning views of nearby Mount Rainier and Oregon's Mount Hood in the distance. The trail is a 5.5-mile loop that climbs to the top of Panorama Point in the Paradise area of the park.

Laramie Peak in Garrett, Wyoming

Summiting Laramie Peak in southeast Wyoming requires a rigorous 4.2-mile hike. In exchange for your labor, you get copious chances for wildlife sightings, including black bears, deer, and mountain lions. Laramie's base is a bit out of the way on a rough-and-tumble gravel road, but its true off-the-beaten-path location offers seclusion and mountain zen in spades. The majority of the hike is tree-covered, so fall visitors are pretty much guaranteed colorful scenery.

The Track and Tower Trail in Ontario, Canada

This moderately challenging hike in Ontario's Algonquin Provincial Park offers a welcome change of scenery. The Track and Tower Trail is a 4.5-mile loop suitable for families and on-leash dogs. Instead of grand mountains on the horizon, you're blessed with views of shimmery Grant Lake. You'll also get myriad sightings of streams and gushing waterfalls set amid fall foliage.

Virginia Creeper Trail in Southern Virginia

The Virginia Creeper Trail has top billing among cyclists, but it's also an inviting trek for hikers. The strange name of the trail originates from the nickname for the slow-moving Virginia-Carolina Railway that once operated along this route. Stunning vistas, wooden bridges, rushing streams, charming towns, and miles upon miles of surrounding farmland are in store for hikers. Hop on the trail in Abingdon and kill an hour or make a day of it. The whole trail is just over 34 miles long.