Chase the leaves
If you’re like me, fall has you cozying up on the couch with some fall-flavored movies and shows; Anne of Green Gables, Pride and Prejudice, Downton Abbey (these could also be Christmas classics depending on who you ask). It’s something about the moody environments these characters live in that adds to their cozy vibes. Sprawling countrysides with rustic charm for heroines to ride their prized horse, misty early mornings for contemplating your 1800’s love triangle, and brilliant reds and golds that swath sappy romantic scenes. Here in the Lake Champlain Region, we get a taste of that sweet romantic country life every day! Hugged by neighborly mountains and sprawling with open fields, valleys, family farms, and of course, pumpkin patches, you don’t need a plane ticket to England to experience a moody autumn.
For picturesque scenes of damped harvest fields, crisp mountain mornings or misty fiery evenings framed by herds of cattle grazing with the sunset, get into the Lake Champlain Region. We’ve curated the best spots to get those prime autumn views all around the area, so come take a peek!
Wild Way Overlook Trail - Essex, NY
This trail view packs a punch … in the form of amazing views of mountains, farmland, and the flowing Lake Champlain that is. This short, one-mile climb on the southside of Boquet Mountain is the perfect activity to get outdoors and get those leafy views you’ve been searching for. Year round, this trail offers unique views that showcase just how diverse the Lake Champlain Region is, but it puts on a spectacular show in fall. Watch as the farms down below harvest their crop, boaters dart across the lake, and spot the tiny travelers weaving through the countryside.
Big Hollow / Coot Hill - Crown Point, NY
Big Hollow, also known as Coot Hill, encapsulates everything you’re looking for in an autumnal stroll. Cemetery? Check. Rolling farmland? Check. Brilliant foliage colored mountains? Check. And the beauty of it all? It’s less than a mile to the summit, meaning more views for less work! This short hike will take you along a rock spine all the way to the lookout. When you reach the lookout, let your eyes feast on the views before you. The Champlain Valley is to the east, Big Hollow (a 400-foot glacial chasm) to the south. Farm fields stretch out below, hugging the lake. And if you get hungry on your journey, blueberries are abundant at the summit, just make sure to check that they’re actually blueberries first.
Edgemont Road - Port Henry, NY
If you frequently make the trip from the Adirondacks to Vermont, Edgemont Road may be a familiar friend. What it also is is one of the best spots in the Adirondacks to catch fall foliage from two states! Edgemont road takes travelers down from the mountains on their way to the bridge to Vermont, cutting through quaint dairy farms, the most adorable bed and breakfast you’ve ever seen, (with the most incredible view), and the sprawling mountain range of Vermont in the distance.
LaChute River Walk - Ticonderoga, NY
To feel as if you’ve stepped into a glossy oil painting, consider visiting the falls at LaChute River Walk, rock ridges that gently coax the water along downstream, hugged by foliage-filled brush and trees looming over the trail. For more falls, head toward Ticonderoga’s Bicentennial Park. Bicentennial Park offers picnic areas, riverfront trails, ball fields, lighted walking paths, tennis courts, and a small boat launch, perfect for a full day of fun with foliage.
Savor the season
The Lake Champlain Region brings with it surreal views of foliage from every corner of the area. The farms that dot the region welcome leaf peepers from all over to come and experience the harvest, from the leaves in the fields to the farm-to-table meals. If you can’t pack it all into one day, extend your stay to make it a real fall getaway.
