With golden leaves, bronze skylines and bountiful harvests, it’s time to head out into the countryside and breathe in the breathtaking landscape.

With hundreds of walks available to download from the National Trust’s website, there are plenty of opportunities to get outdoors and connect with nature, from bracing hikes to gentle woodland walks with a view. All you’ll need is a good pair of boots and pennies for parking - we’ve rounded up five of the best – and most colourful – walks to try, plus some extra ideas.

1. PARKLAND TRAIL AT SCOTNEY CASTLE

Distance: 2 miles (3.2km)

Difficulty: Moderate

Take the parkland trail, which loops around the estate and keep an eye to your left as you head downhill for gaps in the golden tree canopies opening up views of the bridge by the moat. You can choose to turn right into Kilndown Wood before looping back up to Scotney’s house.

Paul Micklewright, garden and estate manager, says: “The beech avenue at Kilndown is breathtaking and can be visited by following our red walking route.” A detour into Scotney’s gardens at the end will take you past yellow tulip trees. The 100-year-old purple cut-leaved Japanese maples, below the Bastion, bring visitors back year after year.

Download at: nationaltrust.org.uk/scotney-castle

2. IGHTHAM MOTE'S CIRCULAR WALK TO WILMOT HILL3. OCTAVIA HILL CENTENARY TRAIL EAST AT EMMETTS GARDEN

Distance: 4 miles (6.4km)

Difficulty: Moderate

Walk the outer edges of the 580-acre estate, taking in dense, ancient woodland and vivid views as you go. The trail sits in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and come autumn, far-reaching views mix with the palette of red, yellow and gold.

Looping back to the 14th century manor, a turn in the garden unveils more autumnal treats including cercidiphyllum japonicum (toffee apple tree) near the North Lake which unleashes a smell of burnt sugar from late September to early October.

Download at: nationaltrust.org.uk/ightham-mote

Distance: 4 miles (6.4km)

Difficulty: Easy

Home of National Trust founder Octavia Hill, a stone seat on the approach to Ide Hill village commemorates a life dedicated to social reform and the outdoors. Head along the trail in the woodland of Toys Hill and Scords Wood, and in Toys Hill hamlet a stunning viewpoint by the well looks over a Wealden wonderland.

The route passes by Emmetts – visit the South Garden to see progress in the project to restore Frederick Lubbock’s garden gallery and see a collection of hardy trees and shrubs in red, pink and orange.

Head gardener Matt Scott says: "Our exotic tree collection comes into its own in autumn. The bright red of the winged spindle (euonymus alatus) and golden leaves on the Japanese maple (acer pamatum) are a true wonder to see."

Download at: nationaltrust.org.uk/toys-hill

4. SISSINGHURST CASTLE ESTATE WALK

Distance: 3 miles (4.8km)

Difficulty: Easy

This gentle trail takes in the highlights of Sissinghurst Castle Garden’s 450-acre wide estate where you can see the landscape that inspired Vita Sackville-West’s world famous garden.

Pass wildlife in abundance and loop through the gardens to see a vibrant palette of fiery reds and golden yellows.

Download at: nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurst-castle-garden

5. AND JUST OVER THE BORDER... KIPLING COUNTRYSIDE AT BATEMAN'S, EAST SUSSEX

Kipling countryside walk at Bateman’s in East Sussex

Distance: 2.5 miles (4km)

Difficulty: Easy

Venture out onto the wider estate at the home of Rudyard Kipling and it’s easy to see why it inspired fairy tales. And the Wild Garden has ornamental trees and shrubs in their finest colours. Head gardener, Len Bernamont, says: “The amelanchiers and azaleas are among my favourites in autumn.”

Download at: nationaltrust.org.uk/batemans/trails

AND WHY NOT TRY ..?

BEDGEBURY

The Forestry Commission site, near Goudhurst has a mix of deciduous and conifer trees, with their contrasting colours reflecting in the lakes. In celebration of the season, visitors can awaken their senses on an autumn trail around the tree collection. The tree team have handpicked 20 which look their finest.

On selected days, visitors can join a tour of the trail led by Bedgebury staff. Bedgebury’s learning manager Cath Weeks said: “A walk through our beautiful tree collection provides us with a fantastic way to boost our mood.

“Through our conservation work, Bedgebury’s trees are making life better for our local wildlife and for conifers globally. On our autumn trail visitors will have the perfect opportunity to find out more about our trees and feel good at the same time!”
Many of the trees in the National Pinetum have been chosen for their form, colour or texture, and some even their scent.

The trail starts from the visitor centre, where you can pick up a guide. For more on guided walks, which include a small fee, visit forestry.gov.uk/bedgebury

HELP THE HOSPICE

On Sunday, October 1, the Heart of Kent Hospice will holding a 25k or 15k sponsored circular walk, taking you through countryside surrounding Maidstone. Starting at 8.30am, and meeting at Teston Bridge Country Park in Teston Lane, Maidstone, it will head along waymarked footpaths, including parts of the Greensand Way, Medway Valley Walk, and around Yalding, and back along the river and back to Teston.

Experienced walkers can walk at their leisure, while the less experienced or individuals can walk in a group led by a guide. Well behaved dogs can trot along too. There is an entry fee of £25 which includes a hot meal, medal, map and directions. To book online visit hokh.org or call 01622 790195.

HOLE PARK GARDENS

Visitors to Hole Park Gardens can set out on a circular walk of the 16-acre gardens and 10-acre woodland, along with the late flowering agapanthus Hole Park Blue, unique to the site.

The walk will take you past a wooden sculpture of bears climbing a tree to reach a honey pot and also an ice house built in around 1740. There is Sunday opening at Hole Park starting this Sunday, October 1, as well as October 8, 15, 22 and 29. Visit holepark.com or call 01580 241344. You can also email events@holepark.com