Imagine sitting back, relaxing and taking in the bright oranges, yellows and reds of Alaska’s leaf peeping season during a 4- to 6-hour journey on the Alaska Railroad. Starting in mid-August, the leaves start changing in Alaska’s short but vibrant autumn.

Here are some of the best routes for leaf peeping.

• Take the Denali Star Train, from either Fairbanks or Anchorage, and journey through Southcentral and Interior Alaska with stops in Talkeetna and Denali National Park and Preserve. After disembarking the train at the Denali stop, passengers can gaze at the tallest mountain in North America with carpets of fall foliage surrounding 20,310- foot peak. 
• As the last flagstop train in the country, the Hurricane Turn Train allows passengers to hop on and off the train with the wave of a flag. The train travels into the Alaska backcountry passing the ghost town of Curry and over the tallest bridge in Alaska, Hurricane Gulch Bridge. Along the journey red, orange and yellow leaves from spruce and birch trees consume the landscape.
• Traveling between Anchorage and Seward, along the scenic Seward Highway, the Coastal Classic Train offers views of rugged cliffs, the Pacific Ocean, ample wildlife spotting opportunities, crystal lakes, and glaciers all along the route. In fall, the trip is right out of a postcard for its vibrant hues.

It’s best to stay flexible with plans for a trip to Alaska until about two weeks before the peak season. This flexibility allows for adjustments in case unexpected weather affects the timing of the foliage.