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TRAVEL

Incredible fall foliage hikes

Sept. 10, 2013, 7:44 a.m. ET
Skyline Trail, Babcock State Park, Danese, W. Va.: Beginning at Manns Creek Picnic Area, this flat, four-mile out-and-back trip will take approximately two hours. This is just one great hike in a 4,127-acre park with 20 miles of trails. The many paths can take you through Manns Creek Gorge, as well as past streams and a working gristmill.
Skyline Trail, Babcock State Park, Danese, W. Va.: Beginning at Manns Creek Picnic Area, this flat, four-mile out-and-back trip will take approximately two hours. This is just one great hike in a 4,127-acre park with 20 miles of trails. The many paths can take you through Manns Creek Gorge, as well as past streams and a working gristmill.
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Enchantment Lakes, Washington: The traditional path to Enchantment Lakes is trail 1553. It starts at the Snow Lakes trailhead about four miles outside of Leavenworth, Washington, and will take you on a grueling 10-mile hike with 6,000 feet of elevation gain. For this reason, many people choose to take two cars and park one at each end of the trail. You can also camp overnight and awake to the sight of an alpine lake and gorgeous yellow autumn leaves on the surrounding larch trees.
Enchantment Lakes, Washington: The traditional path to Enchantment Lakes is trail 1553. It starts at the Snow Lakes trailhead about four miles outside of Leavenworth, Washington, and will take you on a grueling 10-mile hike with 6,000 feet of elevation gain. For this reason, many people choose to take two cars and park one at each end of the trail. You can also camp overnight and awake to the sight of an alpine lake and gorgeous yellow autumn leaves on the surrounding larch trees.
Flickr/Jeff_Pang
Appalachian Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Rather than tackling the entire 2,200 miles of this National Scenic Trail, you can opt for a small but spectacular section within Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Drive to the parking area at Newfound Gap and take the Appalachian Trail to Indian Gap. The 3.4-mile roundtrip will give you a taste of this historic route and allow you to see beautiful fall foliage.
Appalachian Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Rather than tackling the entire 2,200 miles of this National Scenic Trail, you can opt for a small but spectacular section within Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Drive to the parking area at Newfound Gap and take the Appalachian Trail to Indian Gap. The 3.4-mile roundtrip will give you a taste of this historic route and allow you to see beautiful fall foliage.
Flickr/JoeyBLS Photography
Sherman Peak, Bear River Range, Idaho: At 9,682 feet, Sherman Peak is the highest mountain in this region and therefore provides the best view of fall colors in the area. It can be accessed via the Bear River Range Highline Trail from the parking area near the trailhead off Eightmile Creek Road. In total, it's a 3.5-mile hike to the summit.
Sherman Peak, Bear River Range, Idaho: At 9,682 feet, Sherman Peak is the highest mountain in this region and therefore provides the best view of fall colors in the area. It can be accessed via the Bear River Range Highline Trail from the parking area near the trailhead off Eightmile Creek Road. In total, it's a 3.5-mile hike to the summit.
Wikimedia Commons
Trail of Ten Falls: Silver Falls State Park, Ore.: The eight-mile Trail of Ten Falls in Silver Falls State Park will take you past a series of gorgeous cascades accented with the vibrant oranges, reds and yellows of fall. Day-use permits are required year-round and can be purchased at the park entrance booth.
Trail of Ten Falls: Silver Falls State Park, Ore.: The eight-mile Trail of Ten Falls in Silver Falls State Park will take you past a series of gorgeous cascades accented with the vibrant oranges, reds and yellows of fall. Day-use permits are required year-round and can be purchased at the park entrance booth.
Flickr/Ian Sane
The Stowe Pinnacle Trail, Vermont: The first week of October is the best time to do this moderate hike in northwestern Vermont. The steep, 2.8-mile-long trail will deliver you to a bald summit with views of the Green Mountains (including the famed Camel's Hump and Mt. Mansfield) and the Worchester Range to the west, as well as Hogback Mountain to the southeast.
The Stowe Pinnacle Trail, Vermont: The first week of October is the best time to do this moderate hike in northwestern Vermont. The steep, 2.8-mile-long trail will deliver you to a bald summit with views of the Green Mountains (including the famed Camel's Hump and Mt. Mansfield) and the Worchester Range to the west, as well as Hogback Mountain to the southeast.
Wikimedia Commons
Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Devil's Lake State Park, Wis.: Devil's Lake State Park is one of nine Ice Age National Scientific Reserve units. On the scenic trail, you can find incredible glacial features and breathtaking views that highlight some the best autumn colors in the Midwest. While the entire loop is 13.7 miles, you can also take the 4.5-mile Sauk Point Trail or 1.8-mile Roznos Meadow Trail.
Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Devil's Lake State Park, Wis.: Devil's Lake State Park is one of nine Ice Age National Scientific Reserve units. On the scenic trail, you can find incredible glacial features and breathtaking views that highlight some the best autumn colors in the Midwest. While the entire loop is 13.7 miles, you can also take the 4.5-mile Sauk Point Trail or 1.8-mile Roznos Meadow Trail.
Shelley Laband
May Lake: Yosemite National Park, Calif.: This family-friendly hike starts at the Snow Flat trailhead and covers 1.3 miles. Because it's a relatively easy jaunt, you can expect not just the beautiful granite peaks and sparkling blue waters of Yosemite, but also the crowds. Still, the view of May Lake below 10,000-foot Mount Hoffman makes this popular hike worth the (short) trek.
May Lake: Yosemite National Park, Calif.: This family-friendly hike starts at the Snow Flat trailhead and covers 1.3 miles. Because it's a relatively easy jaunt, you can expect not just the beautiful granite peaks and sparkling blue waters of Yosemite, but also the crowds. Still, the view of May Lake below 10,000-foot Mount Hoffman makes this popular hike worth the (short) trek.
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Hoenderloo Forest Walk, Hoge Veluwe National Park, Netherlands: We know, we know -- this isn't exactly a trip you can do over the weekend. However, our shout-out to Hoge Veluwe National Park is a reminder that there are incredible locations across the world to see beautiful foliage. If you find yourself in the Netherlands in the fall, try the forest walk starting at the Hoenderloo entrance. In total, this trail is approximately 11 miles long, but from Sept. 1-30 (the mating season for deer in the park) visitors are only allowed to walk about 8.5 miles of the trail.
Hoenderloo Forest Walk, Hoge Veluwe National Park, Netherlands: We know, we know -- this isn't exactly a trip you can do over the weekend. However, our shout-out to Hoge Veluwe National Park is a reminder that there are incredible locations across the world to see beautiful foliage. If you find yourself in the Netherlands in the fall, try the forest walk starting at the Hoenderloo entrance. In total, this trail is approximately 11 miles long, but from Sept. 1-30 (the mating season for deer in the park) visitors are only allowed to walk about 8.5 miles of the trail.
Flickr/mendhak
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