Germany is a popular country to visit in the autumn for its enchanting landscapes, historic towns and fairytale castles. Between September and November the weather is still very pleasant and the landscapes are transformed by the vibrant palette of foliage during the fall, basking in a magic golden light.
There are beautiful seasonal vistas to admire in many parts of Germany, but these are the ten best places for enjoying the colorful splendor of the fall.
1. The Harz Mountains
Stretching from Lower Saxony through Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia, the Harz Mountains is an area well known for its charming towns with half-timbered houses and glorious landscapes, as well as its rich flora, fauna and unique geology. During the fall, the foliage on the beech, oak and maple trees change to a myriad of autumnal shades.
A popular place to admire this seasonal pageantry is from the summit of Brocken (the Blocksberg), which at 1,141 metres (3,740 ft) is the highest peak and is sometimes snow-covered from October onwards.
Getting a good view from the top can be challenging as it is often shrouded in mist! A good way to explore the area during the fall is aboard the Harz Steam Railway which runs from Wernigerode to the Blocksberg several times each day. It is also the perfect time of year to explore the Harz area cycling or hiking.
2. Spreewald
The translation of the name ‘Spreewald’ is ‘swamps’ and this area is a large inland delta of the river Spree, in the state of Brandenburg, about 100 km south-east of Berlin.
Spreewald is a UNESCO biosphere reserve and is famous for its network of waterways, lush forests, and traditional Sorbian culture.
During the fall,the deciduous trees that line the canals turn to a brilliant array of autumnal colors and these are reflected in the water, creating an almost magical atmosphere.
The fun way to explore and appreciate the spectacular foliage is to join a tour aboard a traditional punt. Many start their exploration of the area in the pretty old town of Lübbenau.
3. Rhine Valley
The Rhine Valley is a special place to visit during the fall because its medieval castles and charming towns nestle among the colorful autumn foliage and vineyards, which at this time of year turn golden yellow.
These autumnal hues contrast dramatically with the blue waters of this mighty river and the grey stone walls of the castles. There are lovely towns to explore including Bacharach and Rüdesheim am Rhein and numerous wineries to visit.
For those who enjoy exploring further afield, there are good hiking trails and river cruises which will reveal all the historic landmarks such as the Lorelei rock amidst the pageantry of the fall.
During the fall months, there are wine festivals and gastronomic celebrations to enjoy and as the colors of the fall fade away, everyone begins to look forward to the beginning of the Christmas Markets in the third week of November.
4. Eifel National Park
Situated in the North Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany, the Eifel National Park is 110 square kilometres of diverse landscape with forests, lakes, and volcanic hills.
During the fall, this area is totally transformed by the amazing colors of the foliage on the oak and beech trees. The park is the perfect place to get out and walk as it has several trails and a number of cycling paths too.
The Rursee is a large reservoir located within the park, which definitely looks its best among the colorful foliage.
There are delightful towns to explore too such as Monschau, with its old and well-preserved half-timbered houses. The Eifel is rich in wildlife too, including wildcats, red deer, and eagle owls. A total of 7,100 animal and plant species have been recorded here, including 1,300 different species of beetles.
The National Park encircles an old World War II military training ground that is now open to the public. At the Vogelsang visitor centre, which is situated at the entrance to the park, there is information about all the local events taking place.
5. Saxon Switzerland National Park
The Saxon Switzerland National Park lies near Dresden in Saxony and is Germany’s only rock national park. The landscape of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, has been eroded to create amazing, rugged scenery and a fascinating micro-climate so that it can support many rare animals and plant species.
The park features deep gorges and dense forests that are transformed during the fall. The iconic viewpoint for admiring the autumn colors is the stone Bastei Bridge which spans sandstone pillars.
The vivid colors contrast sharply with the rugged grey cliffs. This is another great place to put on your walking boots, as there are many different trails to enjoy with the Malerweg (meaning The Painter’s Way), being particularly spectacular during the fall.
6. Thüringer Wald
Thüringer Wald, or The Thuringian Forest, is situated in central Germany. This is a really long range of mountains – 120 km – with dense forests on many of the mountain slopes and great panoramic views.
In autumn, the slopes look more like colorful tapestries and are the perfect setting for enjoying the nature trails. The Rennsteig, is the long-distance trail that traverses the Thuringian Forest. It is worth doing as it offers stunning vistas of the fall foliage.
Wartburg Castle is another gem in the region. This UNESCO World Heritage site, looks particularly striking during the fall with all the bright colors as a magnificent backdrop.
7. Fränkische Schweiz
Fränkische Schweiz (Franconian Switzerland) is the name of an area in northern Bavaria known for its rugged rock formations, deep valleys and pretty villages. The nature here takes on a whole new look during the autumn season, making it a sight to remember for life.
There are numerous hiking trails to follow that reveal the area at its best – all wearing a mantle of dramatic fall colors. The area is home to many gorgeous towns and villages to explore, including Pottenstein with its hilltop castle.
8. Mosel Valley
This famous wine-making valley is world-famous for its Riesling wines, breathtaking river landscapes and picturesque villages. Like the vineyards of the Rhine, those of the Mosel, turn a vibrant shade of yellow in the fall and complementing the colorful array of trees and contrasts with the waters of the river and buildings of the villages.
There is plenty to see and do in this area including towns like Cochem and Bernkastel-Kues, with its medieval market square as well as the impressive Reichsburg Castle.
A leisurely way to explore this area in its full glory is to take a boat trip along the Mosel, which is a tributary of the Rhine. The area is the perfect place to enjoy some classic German cuisines and wine-tasting.
9. Schwarzwald (The Black Forest)
The Black Forest lies in Baden-Württemberg in south-west Germany, bordering France. It is renowned as being an area of dense woodlands, picturesque villages and dramatic hills.
Starting in September, the whole region is transformed into a sea of reds, oranges, russets and golds. The Black Forest High Road (Schwarzwaldhochstraße), is well known for its breathtaking views and these are at their very best during the fall.
There are some good hiking trails to follow. One visits the Triberg, one of Germany’s highest waterfalls and others lead to Titisee, a glacial lake surrounded by forested hills covered in their autumn glory.
It is an area of great tradition, linked to the Grimm’s fairy tales, cuckoo clocks and beautiful spas.
10. Bavarian Alps and Lake Königssee
The Bavarian Alps are located in southern Germany and continue westwards across the border into the Austrian Allgäu region near Lake Constance. The area around Lake Königssee, which nestles within the Berchtesgaden National Park, is especially magnificent during the fall.
The emerald green waters of the lake mirror the vibrant hues of the autumn foliage – the sight is as magnificent as an oil painting. There are numerous fairytale castles (schloss) to visit with Schloss Neuschwanstein – Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle, being the most famous of all.
Germany is certainly a destination to consider for admiring the jewel-bright colors of the fall. There are towns and villages to explore, festivals to enjoy and leisurely boat trips for relaxing.
There are also numerous hiking trails to follow of different lengths and degrees of difficulty. It has long been a cherished tradition in German culture to round off an afternoon of walking with “Kaffee und Kuchen” – “coffee and cake” and this really is the perfect ending to time spent admiring the colors of the fall.
