Orange Gold and Crimson All Over

The days are getting shorter, the mercury in the thermometer is inching lower, and those long-neglected jackets and boots are making their way out from the back of the closet. In other words: Fall is officially here.
But what the season taketh, it giveth back. With autumn’s arrival the country is also treated to a dazzling display of colour from coast to coast, as summer greenery yields to vistas of deep red, fiery orange and brilliant yellow. Fall foliage may be less dramatic in the western provinces than in the east, but one can still find lovely seasonal colours alongside other unique draws.

Here are Lifestyle’s picks for the best places in the country to see the annual transformation of the autumn leaves.

THE BUTCHART GARDENS, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Located in Brentwood Bay near Victoria, the Gardens offers 55 acres of spectacular floral display — and a potpourri of fall colours. The Japanese Garden, with its winding paths, bridges and waterfalls, is the place to be in October. See red, russet and golden maples shimmer under the shifting sunlight, while arbutus and copper beech trees tower over dozens of varieties of chrysanthemums. The latter are planted by the thousands to carry the colours of early fall deep into October.

Also look for: The Japanese Garden’s Chuckling Buddha statue, and the cedar hedge with a cut-out peephole that overlooks the nearby wharf.

THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, ALBERTA

The summer tourists are gone and the days are mild and dry: Autumn is the ideal time of year to visit the Canadian Rockies. See mountainsides awash in the reds and yellows of the sub-alpine larch (a deciduous conifer whose needles turn gold in the fall) and trembling aspen. Accessible spots for fall colour seekers include Johnston’s Canyon and Tunnel Mountain near Banff. A day hike through Larch Valley to Sentinel Pass is one of the best ways to enjoy the autumnal palette, though the area is also known for grizzly bears.

Also look for: Migrating golden eagles, thousands of which fly above Kananaskis Country just outside of Calgary on their way to warmer southern climates.

ALGONQUIN PARK, ONTARIO

With more than 7,725 square kilometres of forests, lakes and rivers to explore by foot or canoe, Algonquin attracts visitors from around the world — many of whom come for its magnificent fall colours. The sugar and red maple trees generally reach their peak at the end of September or early October, while later-changing species such as the poplar, birch and tamarack show their best colours in mid- to late October. The park’s many Interpretive Trails are an ideal way for hikers to take in the dramatic fall colours. If solitude is what you’re seeking, Algonquin’s vast backcountry and access point areas provide opportunities to capture stunning photos.

Also look for: The majestic and oh-so-Canadian moose, which uses sound to communicate during the mating season in late September and early October. Listen for the guttural “ga-wunk!” of the male moose and the low, drawn-out honk of the female.

THE LAURENTIAN MOUNTAINS, QUEBEC

One of the world’s oldest mountain ranges, the Laurentians is the crowning feature of Mont-Tremblant National Park, located just north of Montreal. The region gets much of its fall colours from the yellow birch (Quebec’s provincial tree), deciduous sugar maple and American beech, which glow brightly alongside the green of coniferous trees. Leaf peepers will find additional charm in the resort town of Mont-Tremblant, which welcomes the season annually with its Symphony of Colours festival.

Also look for: Mont-Tremblant’s lively, European-style pedestrian village, which hosts free fall concerts on La Place Saint-Bernard every weekend from mid-September to mid-October.

MISCOU ISLAND, NEW BRUNSWICK

This small island is found in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, at the northeastern tip of Gloucester County. Deriving its name from the M’ikmaq susqu meaning “boggy marsh” or “low land,” Miscou is known for its white sandy beaches, diminutive trees, salt lagoons and, most famously, its peat bogs, which turn a vivid, fiery red beginning mid-September. The lighthouse on the island’s northern end is the perfect place to view the vibrant autumn landscape.

Also look for: The more than 250 recorded wild bird species that are drawn to the island by its bountiful wild berries. Miscou’s sand dunes and lagoons make it a prime location to observe wildlife and rare plants.•