WE are incredibly spoilt for choice on walks in North Somerset as the area is covered with such a rich variety of pathways in different environments and of various lengths. Listing all of them would be impossible to include here, so we have cherry-picked a small handful of walks here instead...

Some top local walks

Black Nore Lighthouse Walk, Portishead

This popular and reasonably easy two-mile walk follows the coastal path from Portishead in the direction of Clevedon and stops at Black Nore Lighthouse. The path can be a bit slippery if wet and a round trip will take around 1 1/2 hours. For walk instructions visit www.visitportishead.net/black-nore-walk.php.

Portishead to Clevedon Walk

This day-long walk will take around 6 1/2 hours to complete, so an early start is recommended to make the most of the daylight hours. The route takes in woodlands, pathways, a golf course and two small villages with interesting churches. For walk instructions, see www.visitportishead.net/portishead-to-clevedon.php.

Clevedon Two Rivers Walk

This six-mile circular walk was created by The Land Yeo Friends and uses some waymarked public footpaths. The route follows some of the Land Yeo and Clevedon's other river The Blind Yeo. For walk instructions, see www.discoverclevedon.co.uk/thing-to-do/walks.

Weston Mercury: HikerHiker (Image: NQ Staff)

The Cheddar Gorge Trail

This varied walk takes in spectacular sights along England's largest gorge.  As Cheddar Gorge is almost 400ft (122m) deep and three miles (4.8km) long, it has a dramatic effect on the landscape and rewards the determined hiker with splendid views from the top.

Go along to discover weathered crags and pinnacles, and a wide variety of plants and wildlife that call this beautiful environment home. For trail instructions, see www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/somerset/cheddar-gorge/cheddar-gorge-trail.

Brean Down Fort

This dramatic headland, protected by the National Trust, provides some spectacular sea views making it a perfect place for a walk. It has a rich history and offers Roman and wartime relics to explore. Access to the fort is free although there is a charge for parking for non-National Trust members. If you don't fancy the climb, you can always enjoy a stroll along on Brean beach. See www.nationaltrust.org.uk/brean-down.

Uphill Hill Nature Reserve

Just to the south of Weston-super-Mare is the pretty village of Uphill and a 17 hectare nature reserve, which treats hikers to stunning views and beautiful walks.

It's easy to reach this oasis of calm and tranquility by simply strolling south along Weston's glorious sandy beach. Once there, several rambling routes are available. For more, see www.uphillvillage.org.uk/natural-uphill/uphill-walks.

Weston Mercury: Black Nore lighthouse.Black Nore lighthouse. (Image: NQ staff)