September 25, 2025, 5:16 am | Read time: 7 minutes

Where Does the Term “Indian Summer” Come From?

If you say, “I know that, it’s just autumn colors,” you’ve never been to Canada or the northeastern U.S. What is red in Central Europe becomes even redder here, and orange and yellow shine more intensely. The spectacle is so impressive that it attracts thousands of tourists every year.

The explanation for the phenomenon is simple and, as often, rather mundane. In late autumn, the New England states—Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont—are particularly warm, but there’s already frost at night. The combination of night frost and daytime warmth colors the leaves especially intensely. However, the exact origin of the term “Indian Summer” is not definitively clarified. For the colorful leaves, people in New England use the term “fall foliage.”

Even if the colors of the leaves here may not shine as brightly as in North America, they’re still beautiful to look at! TRAVELBOOK has twelve suggestions for where you can best enjoy the Indian Summer in Germany.

Indian Summer in Spessart, Bavaria/Hesse

If you want to see mighty oaks that are hundreds of years old, you’re in the right place in Germany’s largest contiguous mixed deciduous forest area. To see them, head to the protected areas of Rohrberg, Eichhall, or Metzgergraben and Krone. Otherwise, the entire Spessart is suitable for admiring the golden autumn splendor.

Indian Summer in the Swabian Jura, Baden-Württemberg

Danube Valley, monasteries, castles, mountain peaks (over 1,000 meters high!): The area is a must for autumn hikers. The heart is the former military training area Münsingen. Until 2005, shooting took place here, and tanks plowed through the landscape. Today, it’s a paradise for hikers, with a 50-kilometer network of hiking and biking trails.

Indian Summer in Jasmund National Park, Rügen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

The chalk cliff formation Königsstuhl is THE attraction on the island of Rügen. But the surrounding beech forests in Jasmund National Park, some of which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage, are just as worth seeing. Park your car at the Hagen parking lot and wander through the enchanted forests to the Königsstuhl—like in a fairy tale.

Indian Summer in the Mosel Region, Rhineland-Palatinate

Few rivers in Germany meander through the landscape as much as the Mosel. This gives the region between Koblenz and Trier, and further south, its special character. On the steep slopes, grapevines cling tightly, and at the foot of the river lie beautiful medieval towns. There are many reasons to visit the area—and in autumn, there are two: the colorful forests and vineyards, and of course, the many wine festivals now being celebrated there.

Indian Summer in the Bavarian Forest, Bavaria

It was the first German national park. Since 1970, nature has been left to its own devices. Since then, fallen trees have been left lying around, and everywhere stand “tree corpses” destroyed by pests. No forest area in Central Europe offers more green and color than the Bavarian Forest and its neighbor, the Bohemian Forest—and is thus a great partner for extensive walks: There are 1,100 kilometers of long-distance hiking trails, rushing streams in deep gorges, and around 70 peaks (of which the Arber, at 1,456 meters, is the highest).

Indian Summer in the Palatinate Forest, Rhineland-Palatinate

The Palatinate Forest is the largest contiguous forest area in Germany. Although more than two-thirds are conifers, there are valuable oak stands inside and beautiful sweet chestnuts in the east. When the chestnuts fall from the trees and new wine is offered everywhere, the Palatinate wine country shows its most beautiful side.

Indian Summer in the Spreewald, Brandenburg

One hour’s drive separates bustling Berlin from one of the most relaxing natural refuges—the Spreewald. If you take a boat ride over the “Fließe,” as the arms of the Spree are called, in autumn, you won’t have to deal with pesky mosquitoes like in summer. Orange-yellow colored willows and poplars reach far into the water, and at dusk, you can spot deer and wild boar on the shore.

Indian Summer in Hainich National Park, Thuringia

Here grow beech communities with names like “Waldmeister-Buchenwald” or “Orchideen-Buchenwald.” But above all, it’s the richness of tree species that makes Hainich special: up to 25 different species on one hectare. On the treetop path near Craula, visitors can wander through the treetops and look far into the Thuringian countryside from the 44-meter-high observation tower.

Indian Summer in Eifel National Park, Rhineland-Palatinate

Large beech and oak forests characterize this “forest national park.” Mainly in the forest districts of Dedenborn and Kermeter, the beeches stand, while you can hike under oaks in Hetzingen or the Urft Valley. In the oak forests of Kermeter, larger herds of mouflon roam, wildcats hunt in the park, and the lynx is said to be sneaking through the underbrush again.

Indian Summer in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, Saxony

The Elbe Sandstone Mountains, with their bizarre rock formations, are undoubtedly among the most beautiful natural wonders in Germany. In autumn, when fog forms over the valleys and the leaves are colored in golden tones, the view of the landscape is almost magical. The best tips for the Elbe Sandstone Mountains can be found here.

More on the topic

Parks, Museums, Natural Landscapes 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Germany You Might Not Know

From Bavaria to Brandenburg 13 Underrated Travel Destinations for a Vacation in Germany

Indian Summer in Edertal, Hesse

In apparent infinity lies one of the largest contiguous beech forests in Central Europe. On the steep slopes descending into Edertal stand ancient oaks and beeches—gnarled, twisted, and quirky. It looks like an enchanted primeval forest! Above, kites and buzzards hover in the sky, and the colorful leaves are reflected in the shore of the Edersee.

Indian Summer in the Harz, Saxony-Anhalt

Even in the Harz, the autumn colors are spectacular. For hikers, September and October are favorite months, even though the first snow can fall in October at higher altitudes. But usually, it’s still mild, and the trees compete for the most beautiful leaf colors.

Particularly great views can be enjoyed in the wild Bodetal, with trees sitting on rocks that glow golden yellow in autumn. The Ilse Valley, with its many beeches, and the Oker Valley adorn themselves in the Indian Summer with so much red, orange, and yellow that you can’t get enough of it.