Nature getaways for autumn

The endless days of an Icelandic summer may have their appeal but autumn is the perfect time to enjoy driving the Golden Circle. Beginning in the capital, Reykjavik, this 140 mile loop takes in many of the country's most splendid attractions. Although tours are available, driving on your own allows you to travel at your own pace and find your own favourite spots. Þingvellir National Park is a must-see. Not only is it the only place on land where the mid-Atlantic Ridge is visible, it also has a cliff face that, in geological terms, is the edge of the North American continent. West of Þingvellir is the Geysir geothermal area, although you'll find the most dramatic geyser at Strokkur. Then there's Gullfoss waterfall and the Langjökull ice sheet, which you should also make time for.

The vast Black Forest in Germany's Baden-Württemberg is the ideal autumn getaway. Depending on which part of the forest you want to explore, fly either to Strasbourg in France or Stuttgart. Popular bases in the forest include the spa town of Baden-Baden in the forest's northern reaches, Triberg – home to the country's highest waterfalls – in the centre of the forest, and Freiburg in the south. Freiburg is a great starting point if you want to scale the Feldberg, which, at 1,500 metres, is the forest's tallest mountain. As you can imagine, the views from the top are incredible! Wutach Gorge, a long, steep-sided canyon, is another very popular hike and also excellent for mountain bikers. For something more relaxing, rent a boat and go out on the Titisee or Schluchsee.

Although best known for its beaches and resorts, Tenerife is also an adventurer’s paradise. The petrified lava that makes up the landscape of the Canary Island's largest park, Teide National Park, makes for a mesmerising autumn hike. At its centre, the still-active volcano, Mount Teide, is the star attraction. Hike some of the park's many trails and you'll have the opportunity to see the volcano from many different angles - and those who know it well say it always looks different. There's also a cable car that will take you right up the volcano to a choice of viewing points across the park. 

Why not escape to beautiful Umbria for your next autumn break! Its famous hill-towns, such as Bevagna, Montefalco and Spello, are quieter at this time of year, as are the many walking and bike trails. The Franciscan trails – said to follow the route once taken by St Francis of Assisi – are some of the best-loved. Try the Sentiero della Pace, which runs between Gubbio and Assisi, or the Sentiero Francescano, which you'll find between Assisi and Nocera. And, when you're in Assisi, make time to enjoy a meal – and the view – at one of the hillside terraced restaurants. Then, for something a little different, explore underground Orvetio, a subterranean world of caves, grottos and galleries. 

The easiest way to reach the Austrian part of Tyrol is to fly to either Salzburg or Innsbruck. Whichever airport you choose, Innsbruck, the Tyrolean capital and gateway to the surrounding mountains, is well worth a couple of days of your time. Its beautiful architecture reflects its rich history, and a ride on the Nordkettenbahn cable car is the ideal way to soak it all up. Out of the city, Ahornboden in Karwendel Alpine Park is a great place to experience a Tyrolean autumn. Encircled by limestone mountains, it's an undeniably scenic location for walking or mountain biking, but it's the spectacle of the sycamore maples with their autumn foliage that really makes this place somewhere special. 

It's only around an hour from Belfast airport to the massive basalt columns of County Antrim's Giant's Causeway. This otherworldly attraction is a must-see on your autumn break. So, too, is nearby Dunluce Castle, which occupies as romantic a setting as anyone could wish for. More prosaically, if you're driving the Causeway coastal route, make sure you stop off at one of the Glens of Antrim. There are nine of them, and each offers something slightly different. For instance, Glenariff has a forest park with excellent walking trails and interesting wildlife that includes Irish hares, Glencoy is home to Doonan Waterfall and Cranny Falls, while Glendun has the picturesque seaside village of Cushendun.

Although part of the Algarve, the Vicentina Coast has a quite different character. Easily reachable from the airports at either Lisbon or Faro, the Vicentina Coast is one of Iberia's wildest landscapes. Forget cities, this is a region of villages, hamlets, the occasional small town and dozens of deserted beaches. As well as those beaches, the seascape of the Vicentine Coast Natural Park includes massive escarpments, sea stacks and tucked-away coves. Just inland, a huge limestone plateau is ideal for birds – and birdwatchers. Every autumn, dozens of migratory species use the plateau as a rest and refuelling spot. Watch out for the likes of the short-toed snake-eagle, the booted eagle and Rüppell's griffon vultures. Back on the coast, keep an eye out for choughs, peregrine falcons and sea otters. 

With its glens, forests, moors and waterfalls, Perthshire is the ideal outdoor playground. This is as true in autumn as at any other time of the year. However, the third quarter of the year is one of the best for wildlife spotting. Whether it's red deer stags or golden eagles, there's a good chance of seeing some incredible creatures here. If "Munro bagging" appeals, you have several mountains to choose from. Schiehallion, with its distinctive cone-shaped top, is a popular choice, as is Ben Lawers. Meanwhile, history buffs might want to explore Killiecrankie gorge, scene of a famous battle during the Scottish Jacobite rising of 1689. And, at the southern end of the Pass of Killiecrankie is a footbridge that's a great vantage point for soaking up the changing colours of the autumnal landscape.

Autumn in the Norwegian fjords is a time of astonishing colours. Following a flight to Bergen, set off for Hjørundfjord, where the fjord rises to meet the mountains. The contrast between the blue sky, the white mountain peaks and the vibrant reds and golds of the woods and hillsides will have you reaching for your camera again and again. Then there's the narrow Trollfjorden, where you might sail so close to the mountains that you'll imagine you could reach out and touch them. Trollfjorden is also an excellent place for sighting white-tailed sea eagles. To cap it all, the darker skies of autumn give you the chance of seeing the fabled Aurora Borealis. If the swirling colours of the Northern Lights are your personal must-see, you'll want to ensure you spend as much time as possible north of the Arctic Circle.

Madeira's Mediterranean climate makes it a very pleasant year-round destination, but there’s something special about it in autumn, particularly for wildlife enthusiasts. This is when the sea teems with various species of whale and dolphin. Sperm, sei, fin and humpback are some of the most commonly-sighted whales while bottlenose dolphins are more likely than not to accompany your boat. If you're very lucky, you might even see the largest species of dolphin: the orca. If you fancy a swim yourself, the sea is often still warm enough for a dip. Away from the coast, Madeira's famous gardens include the Madeira Botanical Gardens and the Monte Palace Madeira. As well as endemic species and interesting selections of New World exotics, you can also find cacti gardens and traditional English rose gardens. For more things to do in Madeira, check out our guide.

With 16 turquoise lakes linked by waterfalls, Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia is a stunning destination at any time of year. However, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is particularly special in autumn when the leaves on the trees that surround its lakes turn every imaginable shade of red, russet, amber and gold. The result is a photographer's dream, and there's more than one way to enjoy the spectacle. Hiking trails are an obvious option but there are also boat rides on Kozjak, the largest lake, and even a sightseeing road-train, which takes in many of the most scenic spots in the park. If you're after solitude, it's worth hiking to the upper lakes as most organised tours tend not to get that far. 

Experience autumnal colours at their most vivid with a trip to the Lake District. Borrowdale, the Lake District's most wooded valley, puts on an especially good show. Climb up to Castle Crag or Walla Crag for two of the best views. Alternatively, why not take a boat trip on Grasmere or Buttermere and marvel at how the mirror-like surface reflects the surrounding fells and trees. Meanwhile Allan Bank is a great spot for a woodland walk and, if you're lucky, you might spot a red squirrel or otter. Finally, for classic picture postcard Lake District scenery, complete with Herdwick sheep, drystone walls and expansive fells, Langdale can't be beaten. Although not an easy hike up, Side Pike offers some of the most spectacular views over this Lake District favourite. For more great walks in the Lake District, check out our guide.