UPFRONT/go
Find Fall Colors, on the Beaten Path
It’s an autumn ritual: Hop in the car and drive around to witness the beauty of the changing leaves. But here’s a pro tip: Some of the most scenic settings are found on foot. Here are five places best enjoyed by exiting the vehicle.
Madison, Wisconsin
• Along the shores of Lake Mendota, Madison eases into autumn with red oaks and golden maples reflecting off the water. On the southern lakefront, the Lakeshore Path passes through the University of Wisconsin’s Lakeshore Nature Preserve. The UW Arboretum on Lake Wingra features more than 17 miles of trails winding through prairies, wetlands and forests.
Portland, Oregon
• Autumn here delights with vine maples, dense evergreen forests and damp, wooded trails. Hoyt Arboretum features paths lined with Japanese maples, birches and other trees turning shades of crimson, yellow and copper. For a quieter escape, Forest Park contains more than 80 miles of trails through one of the country’s largest urban forests.
Brandywine Valley Area, Delaware
• Visit Brandywine Creek State Park, where walking paths wind through meadows, hills and hardwood forests. And White Clay Creek State Park has some 37 miles of trails, with creek crossings and shaded paths that feel removed from the nearby suburbs.
Fayetteville, Arkansas
• Surrounded by the Ozarks, Fayetteville offers scenic trails and ridgeline views. The Razorback Regional Greenway runs through the city, connecting parks, neighborhoods and creekside paths that, come late October, boast yellow and orange leaves.
Allegany County, Maryland
• Follow the C&O Canal Towpath near Cumberland to trace the Potomac River through forests of sycamores and maples that turn gold and copper. The relatively flat path is great for leisurely walks. In quieter stretches, you can hear rustling leaves and the occasional train moving through the valley. Rocky Gap State Park’s lakeside walking paths and surrounding mountains also dazzle with orange, red and yellow foliage. —Lauren Ellman