5 day trips from Louisville for fall hikes and beautiful autumn views

You know what it means when the trees are covered in fiery hues of red, orange and gold and fall festivals seem to be around every corner? It's time for a road trip y'all.

Whether you prefer to hike through the brilliant fall foliage of our region or slide in behind the wheel and cruise, we've got some suggestions to help you start plotting a leaf-peeping autumn weekend getaway.

Kentucky, Indiana, and West Virginia have many excellent places to see the prime fall foliage and if you time it right, enjoy festive fall celebrations.

But before we get into the where, let's discuss the when. After all, if you hope to catch autumn colors at their finest you don't want to rely on luck.

When does the 2023 Fall Foliage Prediction Map expect peak color?

The timing to see the best fall foliage is determined mainly by the tree species and altitude. The higher the altitude, the earlier leaves will change color, while lower places peak later. Temperature and moisture also come into play but since most of us are not trained meteorologists, there is an easier way to know when to plan your getaway during fall's peak color.

It is called the Fall Foliage Prediction Map and you'll find it at SmokyMountains.com, the tourism site for the Smoky Mountain region. The interactive tool gives users a county-by-county and week-by-week prediction of when autumn colors are forecast to peak across the entire U.S. using historical data and forecast information from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.

Travelers can also download a variety of phone apps where they can follow the changing of leaves and read other visitors' comments. A couple of suggested apps for leaf-peeping include Leaf Peepr and Gaia GPS.

In Kentucky, the predictive map suggests you'll be treated to stunning pops of red, orange, and yellow sometime during mid to late October.

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Where to see fall leaves at Red River Gorge Geological Area

Natural Bridge State Resort Park, 2135 Natural Bridge Road, Slade, Kentucky; Red River Gorge Geological Area

Nestled in the lush Daniel Boone National Forest, the Red River Gorge Geological Area is renowned for rock formations popular with rock climbers and hikers. During the fall months, this region transforms into a breathtaking canvas of reds, oranges, and golds and offers plenty of overnight accommodations including camping or the unique opportunity to sleep in a tree house.

Surround yourself in the vibrant colors of the season whether you are looking for off-the-beaten-path hiking or mountain bike trails, ziplining adventures, or simply a drive through the serene landscapes along the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway.

Distance from Louisville: 128 miles (about a 2-hour drive)

Where to see fall leaves at the Cumberland Gap

91 Bartlett Park Road, Middlesboro, Kentucky; nps.gov, 606 248-2817

Cumberland Gap was the first great gateway to the west where 300,000 people crossed the Appalachians to settle in America. Today, the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park consists of approximately 24,000 acres, 85 miles of trails, camping (backcountry and RV), and the unique experience of standing in three states at once.

During the fall months, you'll capture fantastic photos on Skyline Road and the Pinnacle Overlook (elevation 2,440 feet) with a panoramic view of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia and a view of the Cumberland Gap from above.

If you prefer to hike, rather than drive, through the fall colors, The Wilderness Road Trail is accessible from several locations and goes through the historic gap. The Cumberland Gap's 85 miles of hiking trails meander through the national park with distances ranging from a 1/4-mile loop trail to the 21-mile-long Ridge Trail.

Distance from Louisville: 212 miles (about a 3.5-hour drive)

Where to see leaves change in the 'Covered Bridge Captial of the World'

Old Railroad Depot, 401 East Ohio, Rockville, Indiana; coveredbridges.com

There is no better time of the year than the colorful month of October to visit the Covered Bridge Capital of the World.

Parke County, Indiana is awarded the title of “Covered Bridge Capital of the World” thanks to the 31 historic covered bridges located in the area. In celebration of this unique distinction, The Parke County Covered Bridge Festival has been held since 1957 and is the largest annual festival in the state.

Besides touring the bridges, The Parke County Covered Bridge Festival features authentic arts and crafts, fantastic food and beautiful fall foliage. This year, the festival is Oct. 13-22 and is held in 10 different locations throughout Parke County.

The 10-day festival is headquartered in the quaint town of Rockville, Indiana, where motorists or cyclists can pick up a free covered bridge map at the two information booths with staff on hand to help.

Or download the map here.

If you prefer a guided bus tour, tickets and information are also available at the information booths.

Distance from Louisville: 172 miles (about a 3-hour drive)

Where to see fall leaves in Brown County, Indiana

Brown County Visitors Center, 211 S. Van Buren St., Nashville, Indiana; browncounty.com or 812 988-7303

It says a lot that Brown County Indiana has installed its own leaf cam. From sun up to sun down, the omnipresent Brown County Leaf Cam is up and running to help keep track of the beautiful autumn scenery.

This year’s leaf cam is placed high atop a cabin near the Bean Blossom overlook. The camera refreshes the view every 15 minutes, providing a real-time glimpse of the leaves as they transform.

A century ago, before leaf cam technology existed, artists were drawn to Brown County for its rolling hills and natural beauty. Today, an artists' colony still thrives, especially in and near the county seat of Nashville, Indiana. With plenty of overnight accommodations, cool boutiques, artsy finds and Southern cuisine, visitors who come to Brown County Indiana can enjoy both the arts and the scenery, which is extra magnificent in the fall.

Whether you enjoy horseback riding, mountain biking, or hiking trails, Brown County State Park offers 16,000 acres of forests, lakes, and wooded campgrounds in the hills southeast of Nashville.

For the prime viewing of fall's festival of color, be sure to climb the lookout tower for a bird's-eye view of the park.

Distance from Louisville: 86 miles (about a 1.5-hour drive)

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Where to see leaves at the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve (and Bridge Day!)

The New River Gorge Bridge, U.S. Route 19, just north of Fayetteville, West Virginia; officialbridgeday.com; 800-927-0263

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is the furthest location from Louisville on our fall foliage and festival list. But if you use one of the mapping tools and time your trip for peak color, we think you'll find the almost five hour drive worth your time. New River Gorge is America's newest national park and ranks among the best national parks in the U.S. for fall foliage, according to Best Life magazine.

With its steeply sloping canyons descending into the river, visitors are treated to wildly fantastic fall foliage and the New River Gorge Bridge, which is the park's most famous landmark and the longest steel bridge in the Western Hemisphere.

And if you head to West Virginia on Oct. 21, you'll get to experience Bridge Day. On the third Saturday of October, the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce hosts Bridge Day, the one day of the year when the famous New River Gorge Bridge is open to pedestrians, and thousands of people attend to watch one of the largest extreme sporting events in the world where trained athletes are allowed to BASE jump or rappel off the side of the iconic bridge. Plus the day features vendors, music, and more.

The national park includes more than 50 miles of recreational trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, rock climbing, and some of the best whitewater rafting in the country. A full-time visitor center for the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is located in the northern parkland at Lansing, near the New River Gorge Bridge.

Distance from Louisville: 305 miles (about a 5-hour drive)

Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky, Indiana and West Virginia fall getaways and when to visit