7 most scenic fall bike rides to see the colors changing

Crisp weather and changing leaves make autumn the perfect time to ride out on a two-wheeled adventure. Along some of America’s most beautiful bike paths, you can BYOB or rent a bicycle en route. Whether you’re seeking some leisure time in the fresh air or trying to work off that pumpkin spice latte, you’ll fall for the colorful scenery these self-guided scenic fall bike tours offer.

Trover photo by Micki Selvitella

Cape Cod Rail Trail: Brewster, MA

If you think of Cape Cod only as a summer destination, then you’ve been doing it wrong. Autumn brings fewer tourists, eye-popping foliage and ideal conditions for cruising this 22-mile former railroad bed. The paved path offers views of oaks, pines and marshes spanning six Cape Cod towns, with plenty of places to grab a bite to eat along your journey.

Delaware Canal Towpath Trail: Upper Black Eddy, PA

This 60-mile gravel trail on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware River (hence the name) features vistas ranging from river islands to farmland to a 90-acre pond. Bike the entire length or opt for one of the smaller loops through Delaware Canal State Park, some as short at 3 miles.

Trover photo by vvwanderlust83

Boise River Greenbelt: Boise, ID

Settle into your seat for 25 idyllic miles through the heart of the city. This shaded path hugs the river as it passes waterfalls, wildflowers and wildlife, making it easy to see why so many Boise commuters trade their cars for bikes during this time of year.

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Erie Canalway Trail: Upstate NY

There’s a century-old song about the Erie Canal—something about lumber and coal and an old mule. These days, the journey from Albany to Buffalo is much less oppressive, thanks to this paved path. The whole shebang is 365 miles long, but there are a handful of shorter routes ranging from 9 to 120 miles, with cultural landmarks and friendly canal towns along the way.

Cuyahoga-Valley-National-Park-ohio-Gizmo-Goes-West

Trover photo by Gizmo Goes West

Ohio and Erie Canalway: Northeast OH

Similar name as above, different state. This 87-mile towpath trail features surfaces ranging from paved to packed dirt, with scenery as diverse as the downtown Cleveland skyline to the waterfall of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Bonus: The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad parallels the bike path, so you can pedal as far as your legs will allow, then hop on the steam train’s Bike Aboard! car and take the easy way home.

Boats on Lake Champlain in Autumn – Vermont

Burlington Greenway: Burlington, VT

They had us at Lake Champlain. The 8-mile path follows the shoreline, offering postcard-perfect views of the lake and the Adirondack Mountains. The Burlington Greenway connects a half-dozen local parks, so leave plenty of time for exploring as the leaves crunch under your tires.

Trover photo by Dailey Adventurers

Twin Bridges Scenic Bikeway: Bend, OR

With landscape shifting from city to farmland to desert, changing elevations and snow-capped mountains always in view, this 36-mile paved ride is anything but boring. The Twin Bridges Loop is named for the two bridges along the trail that pass over the Deschutes River—great places to catch your breath and take a photo op of the wetlands and ranches below.