Autumn Walks

The Wye Valley is at its most distinctive in autumn, when the wooded slopes above the river turn through shades of copper, gold and red. The route passes through some of the valley’s best-known stretches, with views opening between the trees around Tintern and Symonds Yat.

Fallen leaves can make some sections slippery underfoot, but for woodland colour and a strong sense of the season, this is one of the most rewarding autumn walks in our programme.

Autumn in the Val d’Orcia brings the Tuscan harvest, with vineyards and cultivated hills surrounding the route between Montepulciano, Pienza, Bagno Vignoni and Montalcino. Local food and wine festivals add to the sense of season in the medieval towns.

The walking crosses open countryside with relatively little shade, so the milder temperatures of September and October can suit the route particularly well.

The Cotswold Round links stone villages, open farmland, gardens and woodland across one of England’s most recognisable rural landscapes.

In autumn, the gardens and arboreta change colour, the paths are generally quieter, and the villages make comfortable stopping places as the evenings draw in. The route includes rolling ground and regular climbs, so it remains a proper walk rather than a gentle village tour.

The Coleridge Way begins near Nether Stowey and crosses the Quantock Hills and Exmoor before reaching the coast at Lynmouth.

Woodland, field paths and open moorland give the route plenty of seasonal variation. Autumn colour is strongest on the more sheltered sections, while the higher ground can feel exposed in unsettled weather. Shorter daylight also makes it important to choose an itinerary that suits your pace.

Puglia offers a warmer option for the earlier part of autumn. By then, the strongest summer heat has eased and the coastal paths and towns are generally quieter.

The route follows the Adriatic coast through open countryside and long stretches of shoreline. There is limited shade on some sections, but autumn temperatures are usually better suited to walking than the height of summer.