This autumn has been predicted to be among the most vivid and the Vale is set to be at its most beautiful.
The area offers up some perfect coastal and forestry trails, with Vale Trail 2 named as one of the best walks in Britain to enjoy this autumn by the independent.
Each of the walks in the Vale of Glamorgan that feature in this list is paired with a pub to help you make the most of the scenery and the crisp days ahead.
Vale Trail 2: Coastal drama and a ghostly pub
Known as Vale Trail 2, this four-mile route follows the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, taking in Nash Point Lighthouse, Monknash Beach, and wooded nature reserves along the way.
The walk is moderately challenging, with some short steep climbs and stiles, and can be extended via Route A to include St Donat's Castle.
Monknash Beach, accessible only by foot, offers a dramatic cliff backdrop, sandy shores at low tide, and waterfalls and rockpools fed by Nash Brook.
It's also a popular spot for wild swimming, though the waters are chilly even in autumn.
On clear, dark autumn evenings, the clifftops between Nash Point and Dunraven Bay become one of Wales's top stargazing locations, with true dark skies and stunning views of Nash Point Lighthouse.
The walk ends at the Plough and Harrow, a 14th-century pub known for its roaring fires, hearty food, and haunted history.
The pub's backroom once stored the bodies of shipwrecked sailors, victims of the notorious Wreckers of Wick and Dunraven.
Nash Point is the perfect stargazing spot on dark autumn evenings(Image: AMA)
Vale Trail 6: Salmon and history in Dinas Powys
Starting in Dinas Powys, Vale Trail 6 is a five-mile, family-friendly walk that follows Wrinstone Brook through Cwn George woodlands and past the early medieval Dinas Powys hillfort.
The route is rich in Roman and medieval history and can be shortened to three miles for younger walkers.
Autumn is the best time to spot salmon leaping upstream from Wrinstone Brook, though sightings are rare.
The walk loops back to Michaelston-le-Pit and ends in Dinas Powys, where walkers can enjoy seasonal dishes at The Humble Onion or a pint at the cosy Star Inn.
Ogmore-by-Sea: Foraging and fossils
The Ogmore-by-Sea walk captures the Vale's coastal character in an eight-mile route (with two- and four-mile options) that passes Ogmore Castle, river stepping stones, sandy beaches, and the village of St Brides Major.
Dunraven Bay, a highlight of the route, is known for its archaeological finds, with the Vale recently named Wales's treasure capital following the discovery of 135 treasures over 34 years.
Autumn is perfect for coastal foraging, with edible plants, seaweed, shellfish, and crustaceans found along the shore.
The Fox in St Brides Major, a stone pub owned by former Welsh rugby player Gavin Henson, serves seasonal menus and artisan ales.
Dyffryn Gardens: An autumn arboretum
Dyffryn Gardens transforms into a living autumn masterpiece, with 55 acres of landscaped grounds and one of the UK's best arboretums.
From late September to mid-November, the Fall into Autumn event brings sculpture trails, sensory walks, and vibrant seasonal displays.
Visitors can follow the Sensory Reflection Trail with a specially recorded walking meditation, or take Dyffryn's self-guided Autumn walk to discover new sculptures and changing colours.
The gardens are at their best during this time, with acers, Katsura trees, waxcap fungi, and decorative gourd displays.
Walks are flexible in length, and the Gardens Café offers hot chocolate and homemade cakes with views across the golden grounds.
Dyffryn Gardens self-guided tours take visitors through the garden's changing colours(Image: Aled Llywelyn)
Cowbridge circuit: Countryside and history
Vale Trail 9 is a 6.5-mile circular route (with a 4.5-mile option) starting in the market town of Cowbridge.
The walk takes in boutique shops, the villages of Aberthin and St Hilary, and riverside countryside paths.
It follows in the footsteps of poet Iolo Morganwg, who founded the Welsh order of the bards.
The route offers a mix of autumn scenery, including wooded sections and views of late-blooming flowers in the Cowbridge Physics Garden.
Walkers can finish with lunch at the Hare and Hounds in Aberthin, where chef Tom Watts-Jones serves up what's been called Britain's best value posh pub lunch.