As we head into the final month of summer, people in many parts of the world have had their fill of this oppressive heat waves and are eyeing some of the Earth’s cooler regions for their next autumn vacation escape.
As the annual changing of the seasons approaches, there may be no better place in which to experience the transformation than The Nordics, which encompasses the destinations of Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
The European cooperative—a tourism organization co-funded by the European Union—has put forth a collection of fall seasonal experiences that will have visitors in awe as Mother Nature dons her autumnal raiment and pristine landscapes transform into colorful tapestries.
Denmark
In Denmark, head to Rold Forest, one of the country’s largest sylvan expanses, filled with curled old trees that whose canopies transition to an orange- and red-colored palette as the season changes. There, you can go hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and even swim in the lakes. Rold Forest is also home to Rebild Bakker (Rebild Hills) National Park, an impressive area of hills covered with heather filled with fantastic hiking trails..
Just north of the capital of Copenhagen, you find the area known as North Sealand, which stretches along the coastline, but is also home to great forestlands. It encompasses a UNESCO-protected site, the North Sealand Par Force Hunting Ground, a majestic wooded expanse that was once designated as a hunting venue for Danish royals, starting in the 17th century. Today, visitors can enjoy a tranquil forest walk through the area that was designed to be visually attractive and offer space for chases.
A view over Denmark's Rold Forest during the autumn season. (Photo Credit: The Nordics / credit: Daniel Brandt Anderson)
Faroe Islands
In the Faroe Islands, fall typically offers the most stable weather conditions, with mild temperatures and occasional showers. Many travelers find that late summer and early autumn (August through September) are some of the best months for a visit, since they tend to have sunny days and starry nights.
During the autumn months, hiking is on one of visitors’ must-do activities in order to see the stunning fall foliage. These North Atlantic Islands offer tons of magnificent hiking routes set amid areas of raw, unspoiled nature. One of the most popular hiking trails is the Sørvágur to Bøsdalafossur hike, which winds through stunning landscapes while offering breathtaking views a waterfall and the ocean. Another excellent option is the hike to Slættaratindur, the Faroe Islands’ highest mountain, from which hikers can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Lake Sorvagsvatn, the largest lake in the Faroe Islands. (Photo Credit: The Nordics)
Finland
Finland’s forests erupt in a stunning display of fiery colors during “ruska”, a word that refers to the spectacular natural phenomenon of trees’ leaves changing into their vibrant and varied colors. In September and October, the country’s woodlands transform themselves into vivid yellow, red and orange hues. The ruska season moves quickly, progressing from north to south within just a couple of weeks.
To help avid leaf-peepers get to the right place at the right time, Visit Finland maintains a live autumn foliage map that forecasts where in the country the colors are strongest ad how long the peak time window will last. In Finnish Lapland, you can also see the Northern Lights during the fall season, and perhaps even embark on a photography tour that takes you into the heart of the region to capture all the enchanting colors of the season.
Autumn in Koli National Park, on the shore of Lake Pielinen, Finland. (Photo Credit: Business Finland / credit: Julia Kivela)
Greenland
Greenland's fall season is short but intense, pulling in colors from all hues of orange to red in the landscape—a place vastly without trees when you immerse yourself in nature by going hiking, berry picking or mushroom picking.
Experience the magical landscapes of Nuuk Fjord with the Fish n’ Dish tour to Qooqqurt Nuan. Guests catch their own dinner and top-quality chefs prepare it. The area has a fascinating geology and is rich with Greenlandic herbs such as angelica, arctic thyme, and berries
Visitors can also try Glamping at Camp Kangiusaq, run by the Nuuk Water Taxi. There is the chance to go kayaking, hiking, stand-up paddle boarding and more while relaxing in nature. Another accommodation option ideal for the autumn months is Hotel Arctic's aurora cabins. Guests fall asleep under the polar sky with the chance to take in the stunning Northern Lights and wake up with views of Disko Bay.
PHOTO: Northern lights over Nuuk, Greenland. (photo via Vadim_Nefedov/iStock/Getty Images Plus)
Iceland
Autumn is the ideal time to visit Iceland, as nature’s rotation bring the most astonishing and altogether enchanting fall colors, with leaves ranging from red to gold against the brilliant blue sky. In fall, the nights gradually become longer and darker, which means your odds of catching the Northern Lights increases.
Also, Réttir, an ancient Icelandic tradition commences—an annual sheep round-up, which starts in early September and continues until October all across the country. Icelandic farmers’ flocks are allowed to roam free and graze in the countryside during the summer months, but must be rounded back up before winter arrives. In a collective effort, farmers, landowners and whole communities locate and herd all of these free-range sheep into to large pens, so they can be sorted according to their respective farms. Around there, sheep are kind of a big deal. Iceland has about 386,000 ovine inhabitants—which works out to about one for every human resident.
Icelandic sheep being rounded up during the fall season, a tradition known as Rettir. (Photo Credit: The Nordics / credit: Gunnar Freyr)
Norway
There’s plenty that's new in Norway this year to entice travelers. For one, Hurtigruten is marking the 130th anniversary this year of its Norwegian Coastal Express offering. In celebration, the line is launching two new cruises along Norway’s coast: the North Cape Express and the Svalbard Express.
Back on land, the new Northern Lights Express, the country’s northernmost railway, is taking travelers along the Ofoten Line in Narvik to chase the transcendental aurora borealis. It’s a four-and-a-half hour journey that stops in in Bjornfjell and ending in Katterat station. If you’d rather stick to the roadways, you can soak in the scenery on the Arctic Route by Best Arctic, a bus network that includes Narvik, Lofoten, Vesteralen, Senja and Tromso.
Dairy lovers will delight in the World Cheese Awards, which are being held in Norway for the first time this year. The competition will take place in Trondheim from October 26 – 28. The event will showcase 4,000 international cheeses, including entries from Norway that have already won some other awards, and include tastings and some education on pairing cheese-pairing.
The Northern Lights in Norway. (Photo Credit: The Nordics)
Sweden
No matter your particular destination within Sweden, taking a trip by train will give you ample time to soak in and quietly contemplate the awe-inspiring autumn landscapes dressed in their array of vibrant colors at a comfortable and leisurely pace.
Sweden’s archipelagos, lakes, rivers and waterways make it an ideal kayaking destination. In autumn, you can take to the water to experience the freedom of paddling through yellow- and orange-tinged landscapes. Or, if you’re more of a hiking enthusiast, fall’s milder temperatures making for ideal conditions. The country offers a wide range of hiking trails, from adventurous, lengthy signature hikes to more accessible day hikes. Go south to experience the prolonged warmth of Indian summer or head north to find the first snowflakes of the season.
Person canoeing in the Skellefteå region of Swedish Lapland. (Photo Credit: Ted Logart/imagebank.sweden.se)
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