The previous month had given me more than a few chances at some quality outdoor time, made more enjoyable by the colorful leaves. And when I get immersed in such beauty, even the damp and often muddy trails won’t stop me.

7.10. – Unexpected warmth

The beginning of October was unexpectedly warm. Sure, the mornings were getting colder, but on a sunny day, the temperatures were rising sometimes even towards 20°C. A great time to enjoy the hills, more so with the leaves starting to change color, even though the main show was still not yet there.

I chose an easy trail, taking the bus almost all the way to the pass, and starting easy. I’ve been in this area many times in summer and autumn alike, and I know the nice parts are the fields in the upper portions.

In a way, it was strange to see many trees still quite green, more so higher in the hills, where the cold comes sooner. Another proof of the weather going mad in the last few years. The torn clouds added to the scenery just fine, though.

October is also typically quite damp, and the combination of damp with warm days is the perfect time for many types of fungi to grow – and take photos of.

I also had a nice surprise that put an unusual subject to my photos:

It was only later through the day, and in the lower portions of the hills, where I found a field with the surrounding trees trying to put on some colors already…

…but the best was yet to come later in the month.

14.10. – Colors and wind

Right the next week was a good chance. The morning was typical for mid-October, full of mist. There was a chance of light rain showers, but that wouldn’t deter me. The woods were starting to gain some colors, though they were too dense to take decent photos of them, so I kept my head low for some more photos of mushrooms.

Once I found a nice place, the mist also gave it quite a unique atmosphere.

After that, I ascended to the higher portion of the hills and the exposed fields – the same fields where I got sunburnt in early July. While I’ve been in the area during summer and winter, this was my first time during autumn.

Especially the highest peaks were quite windy, the gusts giving me a noticeable shove when I didn’t expect it (but they failed to slow me down). Droplets fell on me here and there as the gusts of wind tore the small clouds apart. At some point, there even was a faint rainbow, but way too faint for my phone camera to register it.

After leaving the hills and descending towards the valley, I took a couple of photos in the narrow section with several small waterfalls, though the foliage makes it increasingly harder to see the best parts.

The wooden walkways and mossy stones can be tricky in the damp, autumn weather. Fortunately, the place wasn’t as crowded as it can be in summer.

28.10. – The full palette

The end of October had me going to a place that held a lot of promise for some nice autumn colors. A hike that was, originally, planned 3 or 4 years ago, but COVID-related restrictions had us postpone it several times. And the wait was well worth it.

I even had my sister join us – and decide for the longer version – which was well worth it. The hardest was the beginning – two steep ascensions with some easy portion between them.

The view from the first major peak was a reward by itself.

As was the trail and its surroundings.

Even in late October, I still had more than a few chances to admire the beauty of various mushrooms.

Including some very rare species (yes, that’s a mushroom, not a dead octopus).

I took my chance to admire the scenery anytime the woods opened up, which wasn’t that often.

And, eventually came across this beautiful, edible bolete right near a rock formation (no idea how the other 15 people could’ve overlooked it while I was running around the rock finding the best angle for photos).

With one more clearing – and one more look around the colorful hills – we started the final descent towards the pass that was our pick-up point.

To me, a trained person, it was an easy autumn walk, though not many people shared that opinion. None of them argued about the beauty of the landscape, though.

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And with that, the most-colorful month of the year was over. The same can’t be said about my hikes for the year, so I hope there will be more to share during the last two months. I’ve already been on one hike by the time I’m writing this, and I have more than a few photos to share (once I sort through them).