11 spectacular autumn foliage walking breaks from Manchester Airport, with flights from £31pp return*
Autumn is beginning to paint woodlands, mountains and lakesides in shades of gold, amber and crimson, and the next month or two is the perfect time of year to put on your hiking boots and take in one of nature’s great spectacles.
The North of England is home to some of the most amazing scenery in the world – but thanks to Manchester Airport you need not restrict yourself to the Peak District or Lake District – you can combine autumn hikes with experiences in some of Europe’s, and the world’s, most beautiful spots.
The North’s hub has an enviable route network with more than 200 destinations spread across four continents, with flights operated by more than 50 airlines – so there are plenty of options for avid walkers wanting to soak in the sights of the Autumn season.
Here are some of the best Autumn foliage hiking destinations accessible from Manchester Airport with a direct flight.
Nízke Tatry National Park, Slovakia
Fly direct from Manchester to Bratislava with Ryanair from £33pp return.
A long-established favourite with hikers in Eastern Europe, but still under the radar of most international tourists, Slovakia’s Tatra Mountains boast vast beech and spruce forests that turn brilliant shades of gold and orange throughout October. Hiking routes around Chopok, Ďumbier and the Demänovská Valley offer panoramic views across colourful countryside, and small-town hostelries serve hearty traditional dishes like Kapustnica soup and sheep cheese dumplings.
Red Wine Hiking Trail, Germany
Fly direct from Manchester to Cologne with Ryanair from £65pp return.
Germany's famous Rotweinwanderweg (‘Red Wine Hiking Trail’) runs through the scenic Ahr Valley, just south of Cologne. The trail links a series of charming wine villages where vineyards turn deep red and gold in autumn, offering spectacular seasonal scenery alongside opportunities to sample local vintages.
Stockholm, Sweden
Fly direct from Manchester to Stockholm with Scandinavian Airlines from £150pp return.
The lakes surrounding Stockholm deliver classic Scandinavian autumnal scenery and give travellers the chance to combine rural walks with a city break. Forests of birch, aspen and pine frame countless interlinked lakes and islands, while hiking trails in Tyresta National Park and around Lake Mälaren showcase some of Sweden's most vibrant seasonal colours. Tyresta’s 5km-long ‘stroller loop’ is a great option for young families.
Scottish Highlands
Fly direct from Manchester to Aberdeen with Loganair from £211pp return.
Autumn is one of the best seasons to explore the Scottish Highlands, with fewer crowds and comfortable hiking conditions. Forests of Scots pine and native birch glow gold and copper, while hiking routes through the Cairngorms provide unforgettable views of mountains, forests and lochs. After your hike, warm your bones in the evening with a wee dram of local whisky in a cosy Aberdeen pub.
Kerry Mountains, Ireland
Fly direct from Manchester to Kerry with Ryanair from £31pp return.
The mountains around Killarney National Park burst into colour at this time of year. Trails around Torc Mountain, the Gap of Dunloe and Carrauntoohil – Ireland’s highest mountain – combine colourful woodland, waterfalls and dramatic scenery. The town of Killarney, which gives the national park its name, is a great place to base yourself – a charming and quintessentially Irish town on the banks of Lough Leane.
Lake Iseo, Italy
Fly direct from Manchester to Milan Bergamo with Ryanair from £31pp return.
The Italian Lakes region is spectacular in Autumn and particularly around Lake Iseo, where wooded hillsides develop rich seasonal colours, framed by distant snow-dusted Alpine peaks. Monte Isola, an island in the middle of the lake, is home to a village that Italians consider one of their country’s most beautiful, and is ringed by picturesque hiking trails. With no cars permitted on the island and only mopeds and bicycles traversing its roads and trails, you can be sure of a peaceful Autumn break.
Julian Alps and Lake Bled, Slovenia
Fly direct from Manchester to Ljubljana with easyJet from £60pp return.
Slovenia’s Lake Bled is popular year-round but perhaps at its most majestic around October as the leaves turn in the surrounding forests. Beyond the lake, the Julian Alps offer excellent hiking opportunities through colourful alpine woodland and mountain valleys. Triglav, a short distance from Lake Bled, is Slovenia’s highest mountain and features on the country’s flag.
Ontario, Canada
Fly direct from Manchester to Toronto with Airtransat from £419pp return.
Ontario's Fall colours attract visitors from around the world. Algonquin Provincial Park, the Niagara Escarpment and countless hiking trails north of Toronto provide vibrant displays of red maple, oak and birch foliage – while the Rouge National Urban Park brings a splash of Autumn colour into Toronto itself.
North-East USA
Fly direct from Manchester to New York JFK with Virgin Atlantic from £718pp return.
New York City is a great place to visit at any time of year – and in the Autumn it serves as a gateway to some of the world's most iconic Fall scenery. Within a few hours’ drive of the city, hikers can explore the Hudson Valley, Catskills and Adirondacks, with a jaw dropping array of reds, browns and oranges. Deeper into New England, areas like the White Mountains in New Hampshire and the Kancamagus Highway offer the kind of stunning forested mountain vistas that the region has become famous for.
Northern Pakistan
Fly direct from Manchester to Islamabad with Pakistan International Airlines from £822pp return.
Northern Pakistan's mountain valleys offer a unique seasonal spectacle. Around Hunza, Skardu and the Karakoramhills, as the Indus basin begins to rise into the towering Himalayas, poplar and apricot forests turn vivid gold against dramatic mountainous backdrops, creating some of Asia's most striking Autumn scenery.
Beijing area, China
Fly direct from Manchester to Beijing with Hainan Airlines from £535pp return.
This time of year gives visitors to northern China a chance to dodge the crowds of peak season – but also affords them the opportunity to enjoy incredible autumnal trails. Hiking routes along lesser-visited sections of the Great Wall pass through forests dressed in vibrant reds and yellows, while the mountains around Beijing offer clear skies, comfortable temperatures and spectacular undulating landscapes.
*Prices quoted are the cheapest available return fares between now and 31 December 2026, when booking directly through the relevant airline’s website, from Manchester to the destination specified, and are accurate at the time of publication. Optional extras like hold luggage and seat selection may not be included.