Autumn · Outdoors
Chasing the larch gold
Two weeks of the year, the mountain forests glow. Here's how to catch it, and why you shouldn't rush.
By Ingrid Solberg · 8 min read
Larches are the rebels of the conifer world. They have needles like a pine but drop them like a birch, and just before they do, they turn a gold so bright it seems lit from the inside.
The window is short: roughly two weeks, often in early to mid October, shifting with altitude and weather. Local tourist offices and hiking groups usually post updates, and that's the most reliable way to time a trip.
The point isn't the summit. It's the colour.
Go early in the day, when low sun comes in sideways through the trees. Bring a flask, walk slower than you think you need to, and sit down at least once. The point isn't the summit. It's the colour.
Have a thought, or a ritual of your own?Write to the editors →
