Capture golden hour glow, fiery forests and atmospheric mist with these autumn-perfect day hikes across the UK. Ideal for casual hikers and keen photographers.
There’s something about autumn on the trail that hits different. It’s quieter. The light’s warmer. The leaves are blazing. And if you time it right, you’ll catch early morning mist or late afternoon gold that makes every summit feel just a bit more cinematic.
These UK day hikes offer the perfect blend of autumn colour, dramatic landscapes, and photogenic moments—without needing an overnight stay or pro camera setup. Just bring a charged phone or lightweight camera and let nature do the rest.
Why it shines in autumn:
Start with the waterfall in a wooded gorge blazing with amber leaves, then climb to a panoramic summit over Ullswater, where the autumn light reflects off the lake. Ideal mix of forest, fell and water.
Photography Tip: Shoot the waterfall with a slow shutter if you’ve got a tripod, or use ‘Live’ mode on iPhone to create movement blur.
Why it shines in autumn:
Rolling ridges, big skies and low sun make this a golden hour favourite. Mist often hangs in the Hope Valley below, and the contrast of bracken and open moor makes for easy foreground framing.
Photography Tip: Arrive an hour before sunset to shoot west from Back Tor for light across the full ridge.
Why it shines in autumn:
Ancient woodland, bouldery paths, and a dramatic 120m waterfall surrounded by changing leaves. The light here often filters through the trees in late afternoon.
Photography Tip: The gorge path offers great natural framing—look for branches and boulders to anchor the shot.
Why it shines in autumn:
This is a woodland photographer’s dream. Reds, oranges and yellows bounce off the calm loch, and foggy mornings add a dreamy layer to your frames. Easy walking, maximum visual return.
Photography Tip: Visit early in the day for mist and mirror-flat water. No need for altitude when the trees do all the work.
Why it shines in autumn:
This was Alfred Wainwright’s favourite fell, and it’s not hard to see why. The climb rewards with Innominate Tarn and Buttermere views, especially stunning with autumn colours reflected in the water.
Photography Tip: Try capturing reflections in the tarns with wide-angle framing—use rock or heather in the foreground.
Why it shines in autumn:
This area has the highest concentration of waterfalls in Wales, and the woodlands explode with colour in October. Ferns, moss and autumn leaves? Photographic gold.
Photography Tip: Overcast days are your friend for waterfall shots—avoids harsh glare and gives better contrast in the trees.
Why it shines in autumn:
A short climb to Conic Hill gives you epic views over the islands of Loch Lomond. The patchwork of trees below turns a blaze of orange and gold in the right light.
Photography Tip: Bring a telephoto lens or zoom for isolating autumn textures along the loch shore.
You don’t need to be a pro photographer to catch the best of autumn on the trail—you just need a good route, the right light, and time to pause and take it in.
These day hikes are chosen not just for their beauty, but because they make it easy to get the shot without lugging gear or hiking for hours in the dark. Forests, waterfalls, misty ridges—it’s all there waiting.
📲 Track your autumn hikes and photo-perfect summits with the Peaky Baggers app. Add GPX, share summit shots, and plan your golden hour walks in seconds.
Photo by Jordan Cormack on Unsplash
