Days Out Now collection · September & October
12 autumn walks worth pulling your boots on for.
Golden woodland, mirror-still lakes, rain-fed waterfalls, purple moors and one deliciously spooky stretch of coast. These are our best autumn walks in the UK—picked from routes we have already mapped and built properly.
Twelve unforgettable autumn walks across the UK, from Padley Gorge’s glowing woodland and Lake District reflections to misty moors, roaring waterfalls and Whitby’s wonderfully spooky coast.
The season made for walking
The UK saves some of its best colour for now.
September walks catch the last warmth, fading heather and the first hint of gold. By October, beech woods glow copper, waterfalls gather pace and mist turns familiar hills into something much wilder.
This is not a list padded with places we have never covered. Every choice links to a complete Days Out Now route guide with the practical detail you need to plan it. Padley Gorge takes the top spot for pure autumn colour; Whitby earns its place for a completely different reason—the Abbey, Dracula atmosphere, old lanes and wonderfully witchy shops make it the perfect darker-season adventure.
Choose your day
All 12 walks at a glance.
| Walk | Distance | Time | Level | Best autumn reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Padley Gorge | 3 miles | 1½–2 hrs | Easy | Peak District woodland colour |
| Tarn Hows | 2 miles | 45–60 mins | Easy | Golden trees reflected in the tarn |
| Rydal Water | 6.1 miles | 3–4½ hrs | Easy–moderate | Lakes, woods, cave and Wordsworth country |
| Derwentwater | 10 miles | 4–5 hrs | Moderate | A full day of lakeside woodland |
| Lud’s Church & The Roaches | 6.8 miles | About 3½ hrs | Moderate | Moss, ancient woods and folklore |
| Whitby to Robin Hood’s Bay | 6–7 miles | 2½–4 hrs | Moderate | Abbey drama and a spooky coastal mood |
| Hareshaw Linn | 3 miles | About 2 hrs | Moderate | Ancient gorge and a rain-fed waterfall |
| Four Waterfalls | 6.6 miles | About 3¾ hrs | Moderate | Four falls beneath autumn woodland |
| Healey Dell | 2.1 miles | 1½–2 hrs | Easy–moderate | Waterfalls, viaduct and fairy folklore |
| Stiperstones | 8.2 miles | 4–5 hrs | Moderate | Heather, quartzite tors and big skies |
| Brontë Waterfall & Top Withens | 10 miles | 4–5 hrs | Moderate–challenging | Brooding literary moorland |
| Ben A’an | 2.5 miles | 1½–2 hrs | Moderate | Huge Trossachs views in a short climb |
Padley Gorge
Peak District, Derbyshire
This is the obvious number one. Burbage Brook tumbles between mossy boulders while oak, birch and beech turn the gorge gold. It feels wild without demanding a huge day, and Longshaw gives you room to extend the outing.
Tarn Hows
Lake District, Cumbria
Low effort, enormous reward. The compact circuit wraps around still water framed by wooded slopes and Lakeland fells. On a calm autumn morning, the colour doubles in the reflections.
Rydal Water
Lake District, Cumbria
A proper half-day mix of lakeshore, woodland, waterfalls, Grasmere and the huge mouth of Rydal Cave. It is a particularly good September walk when there is still enough daylight to linger.
Derwentwater
Keswick, Lake District
A long but rewarding low-level circuit with shoreline, quiet woods, famous viewpoints and constant changes in the shape of the fells. Start early once the clocks change.
Lud’s Church & The Roaches
Staffordshire Peak District
The moss-coated chasm is moody in any season, but fallen leaves and low light make it exceptional. Add the Green Chapel legend and the airy Roaches ridge for one of the list’s most memorable contrasts.
Whitby to Robin Hood’s Bay
North Yorkshire coast
Begin beneath the silhouette of Whitby Abbey, lean into the town’s Dracula connections, browse the atmospheric old lanes and witchy independent shops, then follow the coast south. It is less about leaf colour and more about autumn mood—and all the better for it.
Hareshaw Linn
Bellingham, Northumberland
Six bridges carry you into an ancient wooded gorge where the waterfall usually becomes livelier after autumn rain. Short enough for a relaxed morning, atmospheric enough to feel like an expedition.
Four Waterfalls Walk
Bannau Brycheiniog, South Wales
Four major falls, steep-sided woodland and the unforgettable path behind Sgwd yr Eira. Autumn rain adds drama, but it also makes stone and roots slippery—boots with proper grip matter here.
Healey Dell
Rochdale, Lancashire
A pocket-sized mix of river, waterfall, old railway viaduct and Fairies’ Chapel folklore. It is a strong October walk when you want atmosphere without committing the whole day.
Stiperstones
Shropshire Hills
Late heather, bronze bracken and shattered quartzite give this ridge its own autumn palette. The Devil’s Chair and Wild Edric legends add just enough darkness for the season.
Brontë Waterfall & Top Withens
Haworth, West Yorkshire
Heather, reservoirs, waterfall and the lonely ruins associated with Wuthering Heights country. Autumn suits this exposed landscape perfectly, provided you arrive ready for wind, boggy ground and fast-changing weather.
Ben A’an
The Trossachs, Scotland
A short, steep climb that delivers a full mountain reveal over Loch Katrine and Ben Venue. The lower forestry and russet hills make a fine autumn frame, but the rocky top deserves proper footwear in wet weather.
September or October?
Pick the right autumn mood.
September walks
Choose exposed routes such as Stiperstones, Ben A’an or Brontë country while daylight is kinder. Heather and bracken may still hold colour, with a better chance of drier ground.
October walks
Aim for Padley Gorge, Tarn Hows, Rydal Water or Lud’s Church as woodland colour deepens. Whitby is the obvious choice when you want atmosphere rather than autumn leaves.
After heavy rain
Hareshaw Linn, Healey Dell and the Four Waterfalls become more dramatic—but paths, rocks and roots become slick too. Never trade safety for a bigger waterfall.
Good autumn judgement
Six things worth knowing before you go.
Long routes can feel very different once the clocks change. Leave enough daylight for delays, photos and a slower muddy descent.
Roots, polished stone and loose edges disappear beneath leaf litter. Slow down and wear footwear with dependable grip.
Autumn showers and exposed ridges are a poor match for a thin fashion jacket. Carry warm layers even when the valley feels mild.
Parking, transport, navigation and access details live on each linked walk page. Recheck local notices before leaving home.
Livestock, wildlife and cliff edges do not disappear in autumn. Follow signs and use a lead wherever conditions demand it.
Stick to paths, take litter home and do not pick fungi or disturb habitats simply to stage a photograph.
Autumn walking FAQs
Quick answers before you choose.
What are the best autumn walks in the UK?
For classic woodland colour, start with Padley Gorge, Tarn Hows, Rydal Water or Lud’s Church. For waterfalls choose Hareshaw Linn or the Four Waterfalls, while Whitby and Brontë country deliver the strongest dark-season atmosphere.
Is September or October better for autumn walks?
September usually offers longer days, milder temperatures and late heather. October is more reliable for strong woodland colour. The precise peak changes by location, elevation, wind and the year’s weather.
When does Padley Gorge look best in autumn?
October is normally the strongest broad bet, sometimes carrying into early November. There is no guaranteed peak date, so recent local photographs and weather conditions are useful clues.
Which autumn walks are best for families?
Tarn Hows, Padley Gorge and Healey Dell are the most manageable shorter choices on this list. Conditions still matter: supervise children near water, drops, wet stone and exposed roots.
Which is the best spooky autumn walk?
Whitby wins for Abbey ruins, Dracula associations and old-town atmosphere. Lud’s Church, Stiperstones and Healey Dell follow closely thanks to folklore, strange rock formations and mossy woodland.
Are these autumn walks dog friendly?
Many can be walked with a dog, but rules and risks vary. Livestock, nesting or protected wildlife, narrow paths and coastal cliffs may require a lead. Check the individual guide and local signage.
Do I need walking boots?
For the longer, steeper or waterfall routes, proper boots are the sensible choice. Even easy paths can become muddy and slippery under wet leaves; grip matters more than the route’s summer reputation.
Where can I find maps and full directions?
Use the red button on each card to open the complete Days Out Now route post. That is where you will find the mapped route, parking notes, directions and any available GPX information.
Save this one
Twelve walks. Twelve very good reasons not to hibernate yet.
Choose your weather window, open the complete route guide and give yourself more daylight than you think you need. Autumn does the rest.
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