12 Road Trips for Fall Foliage in Europe To Chase Autumn Colors
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When most people think about Europe, they usually picture busy city breaks, lazy days by the beach in Greece, and wine-tasting sessions in Portugal and France. However, Europe is also a fantastic place for a road trip, especially in fall, when the landscape changes, creating a kaleidoscope of color.
Europe has everything a road-tripping enthusiast wants, from the lush forests in Bavaria and the rolling hills of Tuscany to the rugged landscapes in Scotland to the flower-laden meadows in the Netherlands. Here are 12 road trips for fall foliage in Europe to learn more. The selected road trips offer unique experiences, colorful landscapes, and surreal scenery.
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Route Napoleon, France
Let’s start this list with the breathtaking 200-mile (322-kilometer) Napoleon Route in France. Besides the French Alps, France generally isn’t famed for its lush scenery, with most people recognizing the nation for its historic cities instead. However, Route Napoleon shows us precisely what we’re missing. This landmark road trip starts in Golfe-Juan along the French Riviera in Southern France.
From there, drivers follow a long and windy scenic route north to Grenoble. Along the route, you’ll encounter diverse terrains, including vibrant lavender fields, red and orange pine forests, rolling hills, towering rock formations, and Parc Natural Regional du Verdon. Interestingly, this route is also rich in history, as it marks the route Napoleon Bonaparte took in 1815 to escape exile.
Read also: European Cities With Colorful Autumn Scene
North Coast 500, Scotland, United Kingdom
Being from the United Kingdom, I will be slightly biased towards our scenery here. However, I firmly believe that the North ECoast 500, or the NC500, is one of Europe’s most scenic road trips. In fall, the multicolored foliage on display is to die for. This 516-mile (830-kilometer) route starts and ends in Inverness.
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It features many magical forests, pristine coastlines, charming towns, and rugged mountain terrain. Some of the best places to experience fall foliage along the NC500 road-tripping route include the Falls of Shin, Rogie Falls, Duncansby Stack, Corrieshalloch Gorge, and Lael Forest Garden. If you’re lucky, you might even spot the Northern Lights.
Read also: European Spots for an Incredible Autumn Experience
The Iceland Ring Road, Iceland
If you’re looking for a diverse road trip with varying terrains, landscapes, and natural attractions, look no further than the Iceland Ring Road, Iceland’s number one road-tripping route. Also referred to as Route 1, this stunning 828-mile (1,333-kilometer) route explores Iceland’s most scenic and famous natural attractions, many of which look incredible in fall.
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You can expect everything from rugged volcanic landscapes and towering glaciers to mighty waterfalls and vast national parks. It’s also not uncommon for road-trippers to spot the Northern Lights during their trip. Must-see attractions along Route 1 in the fall include Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Falls, Hverfjall, and Mývatn Nature Baths. All of these locations offer vibrant foliage that creates a dramatic scene.
Read also: Scenic European Drives
TransAlpina Road, Romania
The mesmerizing TransAlpina Road, also called the DN67C or King’s Road, is a super scenic national road in Romania famed for its awe-inspiring scenery and high altitude. At 6,561 feet (2,000 meters) above sea level, it’s the highest road in Romania. It stretches 90 miles (148 kilometers) from Novaci to Sebeş, passing the Urdele Pass, Papusa Mountain, and the Parâng Mountains.
Admittedly, this exceptional road trip looks fantastic year-round. However, in the fall, the scenery truly comes to life. You’ll be treated to one-of-a-kind views of the multicolored landscape at every turn. Everything from the lush meadows to tall trees is sprinkled with all those warm colors we associate with this time of the year. What’s not to like?
Read also: Surreal Places To See in Europe
Nockalm Road, Austria
Like Switzerland, Austria is renowned for its breathtaking natural landscapes, making it the perfect place for an epic fall road trip. The best place to experience Austria’s gorgeous fall landscape is along the Nockalm Road. This 21-mile (34-kilometer) road is nestled in the heart of Austria’s picture-perfect Carinthian Alps.
It’s well known for its beautiful natural scenery, well-maintained mountain roads, and panoramic viewpoints. Right the way along this winding route, you’ll encounter colorful red, yellow, orange, and green forests, with Nockberge National Park being a major highlight. You’ll also find impressive rolling hills, dense forests, and inviting lakes. You can join the Nockalm Road from Innerkrems or Ebene Reichenau.
Read also: Incredible Natural Wonders in Europe
The Romantic Road, Germany
We’re off to Germany now to explore the captivating Romantic Road. The Romantic Road is a 217-mile (350-kilometer) route in southern Germany best known for its mind-blowing natural beauty. Better known as Romantische Straße in German, this scenic road trip takes travelers on an adventure through the mountains and forests of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.
The route starts in the wine region of Würzburg and ends in the Bavarian town of Füssen. However, we’d prefer to do it the other way to enjoy a lovely glass of wine at the end. The Romantic Road is lined with fascinating sights, including quaint German towns, historic castles, and brightly colored forests bursting with fall foliage.
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Read also: Surreal Fairytale Towns in Europe
The N222, Douro Valley, Portugal
Speaking of wine, the next European road trip on our list is perfect for anyone who wants to sample some of the continent’s best wines while enjoying an adventure through Portugal’s serene Douro Valley landscape. We’re telling you now, there will be arguments about who’s driving this one!
Starting near Porto, the N222 road-tripping route is a scenic route that follows the Douro River into the heart of the Douro Valley, passing beautiful terraced vineyards, vibrant fields, and charming towns along the way. Better yet, the N222 joins Route 322, so you can easily continue your journey by traveling to Parque Natural do Vale do Tua, where you’ll also find an abundance of fall foliage.
Read also: Awesome European Towns for Wine Connoisseurs
Chiantigiana Road (SR222), Tuscany, Italy
Before you say anything, I’m not trying to tempt you to a drink by continuously offering up road trips through Europe’s best wine regions. It just so happens that many of Europe’s best fall road trips pass through these regions. Although the occasional glass of Chianti in Tuscany won’t hurt, right? You’ll have plenty of opportunities along the Chiantigiana Road (SR222).
This 43-mile (69-kilometer) road links Florence to Siena via the region’s spectacular natural scenery. Not only is the route loved for its lush scenery, but many road-trippers also appreciate how well-maintained the road is. Fall is an excellent time to take the route as the landscape turns from bright golden to fiery orange and red.
Read also: Breathtaking European Rural Destinations
Haarlem to Leiden, Netherlands
The next European road trip on our list is the Haarlem to Leiden route in the Netherlands. The Netherlands doesn’t stand out as a road-tripping destination, but with flat, well-maintained roads and hundreds of miles of vibrant flower-filled fields, it has much to offer, especially in the fall. Furthermore, the Netherlands is small, so you can quickly drive from A to B.
The 40-mile (64-kilometer) stretch of road between Haarlem and Leiden is a fabulous place to experience the Netherlands’ fall foliage. In autumn, the bulb fields that line the roads between the two locations look magical, offering vibrant displays of red, yellow, orange, purple, and pink flower fields. Make sure you stop multiple times to take photographs.
Read also: Most Instagrammable Spots in Europe
The Wild Atlantic Way, Republic of Ireland
If you want a serious challenge and impressive natural scenery, take on the Republic of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. I’ve done a large section of this fascinating road trip, and I have to say, it’s breathtaking. This route is a 1,553-mile (2,500-kilometer) tourism trail along Ireland’s west, north, and south coasts.
It starts in County Donegal’s Inishowen Peninsula and stretches to Kinsale in County Cork. One of the most incredible things about the route is its diversity. You’ll pass picturesque beaches, vibrant coastal towns, dense forests, mountain passes, the famous Cliffs of Moher, and much more. You’ll want to stop at Shannon Pot, Cavan Burren Park, Lauragh Forest, and Glenveagh National Park for fall foliage.
Read also: Stunning Mountains of Europe
Grimsel Pass, Switzerland
Many European road-tripping enthusiasts will tell you that Switzerland is the best place in Europe for a road trip. With the promise of snow-capped mountains, beautiful mountain roadways, lush meadows, and picturesque glacial lakes, we find it hard to disagree. One of the most spectacular road trips in Switzerland is the Grimsel Pass.
This scenic route is 24 miles (38 kilometers) long. It links the Hasli Valley in the Bernese Highlands with the Goms district in the Swiss Valais, zigzagging through the mountains, reaching 7,100 feet (2,164 meters) above sea level. In fall, the landscape along the Grimsel Pass changes from bright green to a fiery red and orange. You’ll also see magnificent snow-capped mountains and bright blue lakes.
Read also: Scenic European Lakeside Towns
Orléans to Nantes, France
The final European road trip on our list is another picturesque drive through France. This time, we have the Orléans to Nantes road trip, which leads from Orléans in central France to Nantes in Western France, passing through the gorgeous Loire Valley. This road trip is 217 miles (350 kilometers) long, and you probably want approximately a week to complete it.
In a week, you can explore everything the Loire Valley has to offer, which, in the fall, includes vibrant forests with a kaleidoscope of color. Besides the stunning fall scenery, this route will also treat you to historical towns, Renaissance-era buildings, lovely riverside views, and extravagant chateaux. We don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty awesome.
Read also: Impressive French Chateaux You Need to See
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