Fall foliage: Where to catch the last colours of the season in New England

With a late-running season, there’s still – just – time for a trip to see the famous colours of New England. Sophie Morris tells you where to go

There's still time – just – to see the fall colours of Acadia National Park

You already know New England’s the place to see autumn – or fall – foliage, but you may not have heard that this year, things are moving slower than usual, so there’s still time to catch the iconic colours.

Now is one of the region’s busiest tourist seasons for the heavily-forested states of Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Rhode Island, as visitors rush to the area to watch the trees emerge from vibrant green into their autumn cloaks of burnished red and gold. Hotels can sell out months in advance, but with the season running later than usual this year, it’ll be easier to find availability – especially if you’re happy with leaves just past their ‘peak’, which, when they’re this beautiful, is hardly a sacrifice. Even on the ground as a multi-coloured carpet, they’re still worth the flight.

Here’s where to go for some last-minute leaf-peeping:

Vermont is one of the classic places to see fall colours (Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing)

Warren, Vermont

Fall starts in the north, so Vermont's already past its peak, but even faded, it's still spectacular. Start in the town of Warren in Vermont’s Mad River Valley on the edge of the Green Mountains, and stay at the Pitcher Inn, (doubles from $369, B&B) a welcoming bolthole of quirky country luxury with a really impressive kitchen. From here you can access the Long Trail, the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the US, which runs the length of the state. After a day spent wandering the gentle slopes surrounding Warren to the soundtrack of the rushing river, refuel at the ‘almost world famous’ Warren Store with a turkey tumble sandwich, made with locally smoked meat and bread baked in house.

Essex, Vermont

If you’re not a walker, book a balloon flight to see Vermont at its blushing best. In October, you can take ‘Vermont foliage’ rides to reveal the autumnal canopy from above – views no landlubbers can enjoy. As well as drifting over Lake Champlain and the state’s lush mountains, you’ll have views of the Adirondacks to the west, all served up with champagne, cocktails, and local snacks. Standard rides continue throughout the year, and even in November, there will still be colour: in fact later visitors can see more aspen, oak and beech trees amid Vermont’s famous maples. $350pp, balloonvermont.com.

Woodstock, Vermont

Home to the Marsh Billings Rockefeller National Park (three families who led conservation efforts in the area) and the historic Taftsville Covered Bridge, beautiful (and wealthy) Woodstock can entertain leaf-peepers whatever the weather. There are plenty of easy walks through the gentle slopes around the town and along the Ottauquechee River, or you can break for a more adventurous day out on the Appalachian Trail. It’s hard to imagine that this tree-covered region, like most of New England, was once almost entirely deforested.

Maine is a classic destination for fall foliage (Visit New England)

Camden Hills, Maine

Stay in the picket fence-pretty town of coastal Camden and hike into the hills for dreamy views of the woodland from up-on-high – this area is enjoying peak foliage as October draws to a close. It’s a steep but short scramble from sea level to the lookout point of Mount Battie, from where you can see sparkling Penobscot Bay and its islands, as well as the flaming foliage. Or drive into the Camden Hills State Park to take the trail to the summit of Mount Megunticook, which at 422m is the highest point in the park. There are plenty of lobster dinners in town to reward your efforts, or dine at Fresh and Co for global takes on the abundant local seafood.

Acadia National Park, Maine

Thanks to 2017’s late foliage, Acadia National Park in northern Maine is the ideal peeping spot. It’s also home to the sought-after town of Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island, characterised by its many smart yachts and working lobster boats, and easy access to the surrounding forests. Come here to view the autumn leaves and you’ll be immersed in the natural worlds of both land and sea. Go one better than your neighbour and book a Cessna flight for the most fabulous view of the foliage, shoreline, mountains and islands ($109 for a 35-minute tour, scenicflightsofacadia.com).

Connecticut River Valley

Connecticut is due to reach peak foliage as October ends. The allure of train travel has increased, and with steam long outstripped by newer technologies, any ride on a fine old steam engine feels glamorous and indulgent. The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat tour is the grandest way you’ll find to cruise through the Connecticut River Valley, watching the red, gold and crimson leaves of the oaks and maples first from the windows of your carriage, and then from the open decks of the river boat ($54pp including 3-course lunch).

New Hampshire's fall colours, at Jericho Mountain State Park (Visit New England)

Mount Washington, New Hampshire

The state of New Hampshire – whose motto is ‘Live free or die’ – has the highest peaks in the north-east of the US. The highest of these is Mount Washington at 1,917m (6,288ft), and experienced walkers can hike through the foliage of the White Mountain National Forest. Although the Mount Washington Auto Road runs all the way to the summit, it closed in mid-October, meaning that adventurous hikers can enjoy the foliage here in near-privacy (www.mountwashington.org)

Canoe tour of Nashoba Valley, Massachusetts

Get a really special view of the region’s trees on a river canoe tour from Groton in Massachusetts, an hour’s drive north west of Boston. The cooler temperatures of autumn make it a great season for strenuous activity, though if you take it slow you’ll have more time to enjoy the wealth of different trees and colours rising up from the shoreline all around you. A three-mile tour of quiet channels, lily ponds and woodland areas starts at $35pp, until end of October (nashobapaddler.com).

Roger Williams Park, Rhode Island

As lush as they are, you don’t need to head for the hills to enjoy some stunning leaf-peeping. Roger Williams Park in Providence, the capital of Rhode Island, is a 435-acre landscaped city park with plenty on offer for urbanite foliage fans. Stay at the Providence Biltmore (doubles from $189, room only), a member of Hilton’s Curio Collection of hotels, and walk off breakfast by exploring the park until sundown.

Olana, New York

New York isn’t technically part of New England, but its foliage is equally spectacular – and since it’s further south, it runs later. The artist Frederic Church built his iconic home, Olana, overlooking the Hudson River, and designed the grounds to be a work of landscape art in their own right. Horse and carriage tours are offered through October with tours from $40pp or $100 for an exclusive tour for two.