Hitting the highs of autumn: 10 hikes with colorful vistas

September 18, 2011|By Jeffrey Romano, Globe Correspondent

There is no better time of year than fall to hit the hiking trails of New England. Gone is the humidity of summer, swarming insects, and hazy visibility. In its place are cool crisp days and, of course, an ever changing array of colorful leaves.

There are many choices available for the eager hiker. The 10 recommendations that follow provide geographic variety, different degrees of difficulty, and diverse natural features. Choose the waterfalls and lakes on the overcast days. When skies are blue, opt for those paths that lead above the trees for an eagle’s-eye view of the vibrant surroundings.

In most years, peak foliage arrives in northern New England by late September. Start there and make your way south for a month of incredible hikes. Remember, days are getting shorter, the temperatures cooler, and snow is a possibility in the higher elevations. Be sure to pack ample clothing and don’t forget to grab your camera.

DOUBLETOP MOUNTAIN Maine Its prism-shaped, ledge-covered profile forms a perfect backdrop for a photographer, especially when the area’s hardwood forests are aglow in bright yellows, reds, and oranges. After a challenging ascent to the high point, one is equally rewarded with incredible views of Mount Katahdin, Baxter State Park, and the surrounding lakes and forests of northern Maine.

Hike: Follow the Doubletop Mountain Trail 4.7 miles past picturesque ponds, moose tracks, and demanding terrain to reach spectacular scenes from the mountain’s south peak. An easier, but slightly less scenic, 6.6-mile round-trip hike to the top can be completed from Nesowadnehunk Field.

Trailhead: Baxter State Park’s Kidney Pond Campground

CARIBOU MOUNTAIN Maine Bubbling streams, tumbling waterfalls, and a rocky ridge with a limitless panorama dominated by the nearby Presidential Range make Caribou Mountain in Evans Notch the perfect place to savor autumn beauty. In addition to changing leaves, this hike often provides excellent views of migratory raptors as they ride the wind above the area’s narrow valleys.

Hike: The 6.9-mile loop traverses the Caribou and Mud Brook trails. A moderately-difficult hike throughout, the circuit does include an occasional steep climb with uneven terrain. Young hikers will enjoy scrambling along the summit ledges.

Trailhead: Located on Route 113 in Gilead, 5.8 miles north of the New Hampshire border

MOUNT EISENHOWER New Hampshire While tourists from all over the world venture to New England to enjoy the changing foliage, few experience the dynamic above tree line where low alpine vegetation’s green summer growth turns to vibrant reds and purples. The domed summit of Mount Eisenhower is an ideal location to enjoy fall’s transition in the region’s highest elevations, and perhaps experience the season’s first snowfall.