Walkhighlands

Just thought I would add a quick report on my local area and one of the many walks I do when I just need to get out. It doesn't have much up and down but it is over 12 miles so keeps me out of trouble for a few hours!

I haven't included any photos but have added a very quick video so if you've got just over three minutes to spare...

The beauty of this walk is I can do it from my front door meaning I don't use up my valuable petrol just getting to the start. After 5 minutes I leave the pavements and am walking through the local hill known as Fox Hill. There are loads of paths in this bit of wood so it would be quite easy to spend a couple of hours just wandering aimlessly. Unfortunately the noise of constant traffic in the background reminds me how close I am to the M5 and eventually the path takes me over this as I head for Cadbury Camp on Tickenham Hill - an ancient iron-age hill fort.

The path then follows a tarmac lane past some stunning houses overlooking the Gordano Valley. We call this Millionaires Alley in our house and I've picked out the one I'm going to have when my numbers come up.

Eventually I leave this lane on a bridleway which takes me back under the M5 through Clapton In Gordano (past the lovely Black Horse pub) onto the valley floor which I cross to reach the B3124. Then next 10 minutes is the worst part of the walk as I walk along this road towards Weston In Gordano.

Once there a footpath leads me up the other side of the valley through Middle Hill Common to the western side of Portishead. Following the zig-zag roads downwards eventually brings me out on the coastal path which I can follow all the way back into Clevedon.

From this path you can see the new Severn Bridge, and on a clear day (was a bit hazy today) you can see the Black Mountains and some of the Brecon Beacons over in Wales.

Always good to see Clevedons famous victorian pier coming into view (the only fully intact, Grade 1 listed pier in the country) as it indicates I can soon put my feet up and do a bit of people-watching on the sea-front while munching on an ice cream!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wxo6jvLe9c8[/youtube]

Hope you enjoyed that quick jaunt round my neighbourhood, hope to see some of your local walks too.

Howdy ho, ive done a very similar route in that area a few years ago now!!!, maybe a little shorter.. , It was very nice walking along the cliff front.. the mutts & I enjoyed it.. cheers

Might have to give parts (the part which goes past the Black Horse) of this walk a try with the dog one day as it's not too far from my abode (Long Ashton).