This article first appeared in The Green Travel Guide. Click here for the full article.
Top 10 Eco-Friendly Destinations for Autumn
1. Best Eco-Friendly Hiking Trails for Fall Foliage: Vermont, USA
Vermont is famous for its vibrant fall foliage and strong eco-tourism movement. Travellers can hike the Long Trail, explore farmers’ markets, and enjoy eco-cabin stays. Don’t miss the chance to bike between maple syrup farms — a sweet, low-impact adventure.
Stay: Solar-powered cabins in Stowe or eco-lodges near Green Mountain National Forest. Moretown Waldhaus, Sterling Treehouse (Stowe) and Stowe Canopy House are all beauties. Wolcott Lakefront Cabin is perfect for disconnecting (WiFi free).
Eat: Farm-to-table dining at woodsy Hen of the Wood (Waterbury) featuring seasonal produce.
Do: Hike parts of the Long Trail (439km trail running the length of the state) or bike scenic byways lined with maple trees.
Don’t Miss: A visit to community-run maple sugarhouses supporting regenerative forestry.
2. Sustainable Wine Country Tours in Douro Valley, Portugal
The Douro Valley offers organic vineyards and family-run wineries accessible by scenic train rides instead of cars. Many estates are committed to biodiversity, making this one of Europe’s most sustainable wine regions to explore in autumn.
Stay: Quinta do Vallado, a historic vineyard hotel with eco-focus, solar panels and organic practices.
Eat: Try organic wine pairings with local vegetarian dishes at Quinta Nova’s restaurant Terraçu’s – with incredible views over the estate.
Do: Travel by train along the scenic Douro River to visit organic wineries.
Don’t Miss: A guided eco-friendly solar boat ride on the Douro River, wine tasting included.
Green City Break in Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen consistently ranks as one of the world’s most sustainable cities. Autumn is perfect for cycling along tree-lined streets, exploring zero-waste cafés, and staying in hotels powered by renewable energy.
Stay: Manon Les Suites, a luxury eco-hotel with an indoor rainforest and 100% renewable energy.
Eat: Organic, zero-waste dining at Gro Spiseri Eatery in Østerbro, a communal eatery with long table in a greenhouse and with a Rooftop Farm.
Do: Cycle through Fælledparken to see autumn leaves, then explore the city’s harbour baths.
Don’t Miss: The rooftop urban farm ØsterGRO (adjoining Gro Spiseri Eatery) for community-supported agriculture. Tuesdays are volunteer day with people from around the world helping on the rooftop farm.
4. Eco Retreats in the Scottish Highlands
The Highlands offer crisp air, golden hills, and rewilding projects that restore natural habitats. Stay in cozy eco-lodges or glamping pods that run on green energy, and take part in guided wildlife walks to spot deer and eagles.
Stay: Eagle Brae eco-lodges, built from sustainable materials and powered by renewables.
Eat: Locally sourced Scottish cuisine at The Old Inn in Gairloch.
Do: Guided hikes with conservation experts to learn about rewilding projects.
Don’t Miss: A dark-sky stargazing experience in Cairngorms National Park. Glen Tanar Visitor Centre is a Dark Sky Discovery Site for exploring nebula and winter showers of meteors.
For the rest of the article visit The Green Travel Guide newsletter.
Laura McVeigh is a Northern Irish novelist and travel writer. Her work is widely translated. She has authored books for Lonely Planet, DK Travel, bylines in the Irish Times, Irish Independent, featured by the BBC, Newsweek, New Internationalist & many more. Former CEO for a global writers’ organisation, she has worked with writers from 145 countries. She is founder of Travel-Writing.Com and Green Travel Guides. Laura writes on storytelling, travel writing and mindful travel on Substack.