It's an easy walk even when it's been raining at the Dudney Clear Creek Nature Center in League City.Think you might need to walk off some of those holiday treats?

Here are five great places in Clear Lake to get out and get active:

• Dudney Clear Creek Nature Center: Explore wetlands without getting your feet muddy on a paved path that meanders along the south shore of Clear Creek off of Egret Bay Boulevard. You can visit only a small portion of League City's 148-acre nature park from the 1.3-mile trail, but leaving room for the birds makes it all the more likely you'll see something interesting as you walk. And it never seems to be crowded.

• Sylvan Rodriguez Park: If you like a big blue sky and no trees to block the breeze, the city of Houston has the park for you. The lack of shade makes this park off of Clear Lake City Boulevard better suited for winter walks than summer jogs, but it's hard to beat on a crisp, cool day. The trail, which loops around a pond and an open field, is paved and plenty wide enough to walk side by side with a buddy.

• Armand Bayou Nature Center: The closest Clear Lake gets to hiking trails as opposed to walking trails, the many paths that snake through Armand Bayou's woods and prairies almost always afford a chance to watch wildlife, including armadillos, deer and, of course, lots and lots of birds. Take binoculars, mosquito repellent and boots you don't mind getting muddy.

• Seabrook's trail system: Seabrook maintains 10 miles of trails through its parks, but an especially pleasant stretch connects the wetlands of Seabrook Wildlife Park to the Galveston Bay shoreline and pier at Pine Gully Park. The gravel path is well-maintained, but there's a catch: There are only a few parking spaces at the wildlife park, and there's a $10 fee at Pine Gully if you're not a Seabrook resident.

• Baybrook Mall: If fresh air holds little appeal or the weather's just lousy, there's always the mall. It's three-quarters of a mile around the indoor perimeter. Best time to go is at 8 a.m., before most of the stores open. Check Baybrook's Web site for holiday hours.