The Best Mountain Towns to Hike in During the Fall

The calendar may read “summer,” but the shorter days and cooler nights are whetting our appetite for fall. And with fall, comes the beautiful fall foliage season, marking that the winter ski season is right around the corner. We’ve previously shared some of the best destinations for fall colors. We’re coming to you now with some of the best mountains towns for fall hiking.

While this is by no means an exhaustive list, it gives you a taste of some of America’s great mountain destinations for fall hikes. While there’s nothing quite like a scenic fall foliage drive, hiking offers viewpoints that you just aren’t going to get from your car. See the complete list below of some of the best ski towns for fall hiking.

Great Mountain Towns To Hike In During The Fall

Stowe, Vermont

New England is synonymous with fall foliage, and there are few places that are known for autumn adventure like Stowe, Vermont. Dotting the area around Stowe Mountain are a number of hiking trails, including The Long Trail, the oldest long-distance trail in America. One of Stowe’s most popular hikes is the Stowe Pinnacle Trail, which is a 3.5-mile round trip hike with a spectacular view of the Green Mountains, painted with those iconic fall New England colors. If you have a little more time and adventure in you, then hike to Vermont’s highest point, Mt. Mansfield. All total it’s 4.7 miles via the Long Trail.

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Loon Mountain, New Hampshire

No article featuring New England in the fall is complete without mentioning the White Mountains. Loon Mountain is arguably most known this time of year for its mountain biking, home to the White Mountain’s largest bike park. However, it’s also a fun destination for hiking. Loon Mountain has three short trails that vary in difficulty. The Bear Claw Trail has the greatest elevation and views, ascending more than 1,000 feet over 1.6 miles to Loon Peak. The view is worth it with glimpses of Pemigewasset Wilderness, Mount Washington, and more. If you want the views but without the hard work, then enjoy a ride throughout the fall months on Loon Mountain’s gondola, the longest gondola skyride in New Hampshire.

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Sunday River, Maine

Sunday River, one of the largest ski resorts on the East Coast, is of course known for its great skiing and riding. However, it’s just as beautiful in the fall as the valleys and rolling hills are decked out in bright autumn colors. All told it’s home to 13 scenic trails, varying in difficulty, that total more than 15 miles. Take the gondola up from the South Ridge base area to access a number of hiking trails. You can then take the gondola back down, or if you’re feeling adventurous, hike back down to the base lodge. There are also tons of great nearby hiking trails, including the 2.4-mile Table Rock hike in Grafton Notch State Park and the easy East Royce Mountain hike in Evans Notch State Park.

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Sundance, Utah

The Wasatch Mountain Range needs no introduction for its beautiful fall foliage. Robert Redford’s Sundance Mountain Resort, situated in Provo Canyon, is gleaming with bright colors in the fall. Sundance is home to 10 miles of hiking for all ability levels. Enjoy a beautiful lift ride up to trails with stunning views, and if you’re a resort guest, take advantage of Sundance Mountain Resort’s complimentary daily guided hikes. Reservations are required.

Telluride, Colorado

In Colorado it’s all about those bright yellow aspens, which you’ll find everywhere from Breckenridge to Crested Butte to of course Aspen. While Telluride has tons of amazing trails for a fall hike, if you want a hike that’s full of adventure, challenge, and beautiful views, then look no further than the 13-mile Deep Creek Trail. It’ll take you at least seven hours, but the views are worth it, and you’ll have earned those post-hike drinks. Telluride is home to tons of other great trails—trail maps and additional information is available on Telluride’s website.

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Aspen, Colorado

We can’t talk fall colors and aspens without talking about Aspen, Colorado. Aspen is of course known for its skiing, and we’ve written about what a great town it is in summer, but it’s also beautiful during the fall when its famous aspens pop with color. Aspen’s Maroon Bells, two of Colorado’s most famous mountains, are as beautiful in the fall as they are during the rest of the year. It’s a can’t-miss fall hike. Aspen Snowmasss is also home to a number of great hiking trails. The following Aspen Snowmass hiking guide is a good starting place. Note that after Labor Day, the Silver Queen Gondola only runs on weekends through the month of September. Daily service returns after the ski season begins.

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Lake Tahoe, California

Lake Tahoe is beautiful any time of year and fall is no exception. One of Lake Tahoe’s most beautiful fall foliage hikes is at Marlette Lake, the nearby lake just off Lake Tahoe’s eastern shore. Just north of Marlette Lake, near Mt. Rose, is a fun easy hike, Mt. Rose Meadows, while the more adventurous hiker can try the 10-mile steep hike to Mount Rose Summit. The stunning view at the top is worth the challenging hike. The Lake Tahoe region is dotted with so many other great hiking destinations, including Van Sickle Bi-State Park, the Tahoe Rim Trail, and many others.

Whitefish, Montana

Hikers can enjoy both resort-owned trails and Flathead National Forest trails at Whitefish Mountain Resort. Bonus: Late-summer to early-fall is huckleberry-picking season, when visitors can experience the joys of picking and enjoying huckleberries on their hike. While you’re in Whitefish, it’d be wrong not to catch the stunning fall colors throughout Glacier National Park, which is just 30 miles away.

Mt. Baker, Washington

Washington may be the Evergreen State, but it’s not lacking for stunning fall colors. Great hiking trails surround Mt. Baker Ski Area, including Heather Meadows by the base. One of the most popular trails is the aptly named Chain Lakes Loop Trail, a 7-mile loop that meanders past lakeshores with gorgeous mountain and fall foliage views.