Switzerland’s interactive foliage map reveals where to see the country’s peak autumn colours

For travellers already looking ahead to autumn getaways in Europe, Switzerland offers a new way to plan the perfect seasonal trip. The country’s tourism board has created an interactive foliage map that tracks where and when autumn colours are at their best.

Updated regularly throughout the season, the map predicts when forests, hiking areas, vineyards and mountain regions will go from green to gold, helping visitors put together an itinerary that makes the best of the dramatic shift in seasonal hues.

It’s especially useful in a country where a short train journey can take you from mild, still-leafy valleys to high-altitude landscapes already glowing with autumn colours.

Timing autumn’s grand reveal

According to this year’s forecast, the first autumn leaves will appear in the western cantons of Vaud and Neuchâtel by 29 September. Travellers can wander through lakeside vineyards, cruise along Lake Neuchâtel or explore the Lavaux wine terraces as the leaves turn gold.

By 13 October, the northern half of the country is expected to be ablaze with reds and oranges, making mid-October ideal for hikes through alpine forests or scenic train journeys.

One popular rail option is the GoldenPass Line, a panoramic train that winds from Montreux on Lake Geneva through vineyards, villages and mountain passes, offering uninterrupted views of Switzerland’s autumn palette from climate-controlled comfort.

But it’s a brief window. By 27 October, most of the leaves will have fallen nationwide, and Switzerland will turn its attention to the upcoming ski season.

Seasonal maps elsewhere

A few other tools help travellers chase the seasonal colours beyond Switzerland.

In the United Kingdom, Forestry England maintains a detailed autumn colour map covering woodlands across England and Scotland. It is updated weekly as leaves change and highlights where trees are moving from green to gold to amber and crimson.

Across the Atlantic, the United States offers a handful of widely followed fall foliage maps. New England Tourism’s map shows peak colour predictions across the region, guiding visitors along scenic routes from Vermont’s rolling hills to Massachusetts’ river valleys. Meanwhile, SmokyMountains.com provides an annual map covering the Appalachian region, offering forecasts for when forests will be at their most vibrant.

Across the International Date Line, seasonal maps have become an institution in Japan. Cherry blossom forecasts in spring and the koyo (autumn foliage) map in fall help travellers plan trips to experience the islands’ celebrated seasonal changes.

Where colours steal the show without a map

Some landscapes are spectacular even without a digital guide.

Germany’s Hainich National Park in Thuringia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, features vast stretches of deciduous forest that turn golden in October. Bavaria’s Spessart and the Black Forest offer quiet trails under vivid autumn leaves, while the Spreewald provides a maze of waterways surrounded by red and gold foliage.

Italy and Slovenia also offer memorable autumn escapes.

In Tuscany and Umbria, travellers can follow quiet country roads past vineyards and olive groves, stopping in small towns like Florence or Siena to explore historic streets framed by changing trees. In the Dolomites and Apennines, forested slopes provide hiking trails where the variety of local trees creates a mix of yellow, amber and red.

Slovenia offers an array of forests with autumnal colour around Lake Bled, Triglav National Park, and the Soča Valley, with a network of hiking and walking paths. Trails along the lakes and through the mountains provide plenty of opportunities to take in the changing leaves, whether on a bike or walking with a camera in hand.

And if you want a different vantage point, the European Space Agency’s Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission compiled bird’s-eye images from across Europe last fall. The satellite images reveal Europe’s forests transforming into a patchwork of autumn colours.