Off The Trails: A Hiker's Guide to the Outdoors

Your Guide for Viewing the Fall Foliage

If you grew up or live in New England, then chances are you have experienced some of the most beautiful spectacles in the country. Every year around early September to Mid-October, the leaves of all deciduous trees turn from green, to shades of reds, yellows and oranges!

Those lucky enough to witness this experience often describe it as one of the most beautiful sites in all of nature. If you haven’t experienced this, then let this article be your guide to finding the best spots and all the info you need to know about observing the fall foliage.

FALL FOLIAGE FACTS

I won’t go into too much science about how the leaves change, there is a full page for that and you can read it here. In short, as the temperature and sunlight fade during the fall months, the green chlorophyl in the leaves fades, the other colors of red, yellow and orange become visible. Not all of the leaves turn at the same time, each species of tree has a specific set of circumstances that must be present for the leaves to turn. The time when the most leaves are turning is called the peak.

There are a lot of factors that contribute to the fall foliage and when each region will see the peak. Sometimes localized regions within a state can see a peak a week or two earlier than other areas of the same state. This variability makes predicting when the peak foliage occur extremely difficult. If you are interested in seeing when a specific region will reach peak, check out this interactive map for the 2025 fall foliage.

Generally, the fall foliage will peak earlier the further north you go. This means that Maine and New Hampshire will see a color change sooner than Connecticut and Massachusetts. This is because, the temperatures usually get colder up north sooner and the sun remains lower on the horizon. These factors help promote the leaf color change sooner in the season.

BEST HIKES FOR THE FOLIAGE

Once you decide when you want to go, you next need to decide where you want to go to see the leaves change. Planning a trip can be a challenge, especially if you are traveling from far away. Viewing the fall foliage is all about being in the right place at the right time. Just one day too soon or too late can make all the difference.

Ideally you want to solidify your plans about a week before peak, but be flexible because a severe storm or cold weather could affect the intensity. There are two ways to see the fall foliage, hikes to scenic overlooks, and scenic drives through the woods. I have compiled a list of best hikes in the tri-state area. Click on the link to read a review of the hike and lean about the hike and location.

Other hikes within Connecticut that I have gone to see the foliage, but not reviewed on this website are:

  • Peoples State Forest, Jessie Gerard Trail-Barkhamsted, CT
  • Heublein Tower-Simsbury, CT
  • Toby’s Rock-Derby/Shelton, CT
  • Castle Craig/Hubbard Park-Meriden, CT
  • Soapstone Mountain-Somers, CT

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CTDEEP), Forestry Division compiled a list of the best places to see the fall foliage! Click the link to see their complete list.

BEST SCENIC DRIVES TO SEE THE FALL FOLIAGE

If walking through the woods to a high overlook or tall mountain isn’t your thing, don’t worry you can still experience the New England fall foliage from the comfort of your car. There are plenty of routes that will allow you to experience the true beauty of fall from the comfort of your own car.

The best places to see the fall foliage (in my opinion) are in the northwestern and northeastern corners of the state. These areas have some of the more traditional less traveled country roads that wind through the woods. Some of these roads are nothing but dirt, making a drive slow, but giving you lots of time to pull over and admire mother nature in her finest moment.

Country roads also offer the best areas for seeing the foliage. Interstates, especially in Connecticut, generally travel through major cities or have signs of industry along their routes.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CTDEEP) Forestry Division compiled a list of best drives to view the fall foliage, I will link their routes in the article and down below. These drives include routes throughout the four corners of the state as well as along the coast and along Connecticut’s major rivers!

Northwestern Area of Connecticut:

  • Route 7-New Milford/Kent area
  • Route 202-Washington Depot
  • Route 44-New Canton/New Hartford
  • Route 179/219/318/181-Barkhamsted
  • Route 19-Stafford

Northeastern Area of Connecticut:

  • Route 6-Brooklyn
  • Route 195-Mansfield
  • Route 169-Woodstock
  • Route 74-West Hartford
  • Route 171-Woodstock

While I personally have not done many scenic drives to see the fall foliage, these are routes I have driven during the spring and summer months during my various trips throughout the state. Regardless of what your fall foliage plans are, just know that you may not need a long week long excursion to appreciate the beauty of fall. Sometimes natures fall beauty could just be a short drive away.

REFERENCES

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