The best five walks in the Kingswood area

This being National Walking Month, I've come up with what I consider to be the best five walks in the Kingswood area.

Do you agree or do you have some favourites of your own to share?

1. Most popular walk: The Bristol & Bath Railway Path

The Bristol & Bath Railway Path is used by walkers and cyclists as a commuting route as well as a leisure path. At least a million trips are made every year on the 13-mile off-road route which was created after the closure of the railway line.

The path begins at one end in central Bristol and loops north towards Fishponds, continuing through Staple Hill Tunnel. It then passes through Mangotsfield, Warmley and Bitton, then through Saltford to Newbridge. There is also a spur off the path at Mangotsfield.

Walk past old stations and learn about local history and geology along the way, as well as seeing wildlife and the great public works of art that have been created along the route.

2. Best walk for getting in touch with nature: Willsbridge Valley

Willsbridge Valley has mature woodland which once formed part of the old Kingswood Forest. Peaceful and beautiful, the valley is home to Avon Wildlife Trust's educational centre - Willsbridge Mill. Siston Brook runs through the nature reserve where there are also ponds, grassland, scrub and a wildlife garden.

3. Best new walk: Warmley Forest Park

The oaks and other trees planted at Warmley Forest Park by local people and the Forest of Avon in the 1980s are beginning to create a new woodland for people to enjoy.

The park was created on the former site of Warmley Clay Works. The woodland is just one area of the forest park to explore - there is also rough grassland, a brookside walk and ponds. The historic dramway passes through the site which is also next to Siston Common.

4. Best for walking back in time: the Dramway

The Dramway is a nine-mile walk following sections of the route of the 19th century tramway which carried coal from Coalpit Heath down to the River Avon at Willsbridge.

The route gives you access to the fascinating remains of the horse-drawn railway path which was built just before the steam locomotive boom. The walk passes along quiet country lanes and country footpaths, crosses busy main roads, goes under the M4, and alongside the ring road between Shortwood and Warmley on its way to the River Avon.

5. Walk with the best views: Cock Road Ridge

Cock Road Ridge runs between Mount Hill and Cadbury Heath and is about one kilometre long. It has what are said to be unrivalled views over Bristol and towards Bath.