Quarries and woods of Lens

Explore the Lens woodland and its white stone quarries, which were used for numerous buildings. There are many Roman quarries in this area. Lens stone is hard, white, very fine-grained, and highly prized by stonemasons and sculptors.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.28 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 186 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 187 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 281 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 124 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Fons (Gard) (30730)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.916599° / E 4.177934°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2841E, 2842OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Leave the small town of Fons-outre-Gardon via the D907. At a bend in the D907, take the small access road to a quarry that is still in operation. Signs indicate a 30 km/h speed limit, speed bumps and the direction to Polycor. Watch out for heavily laden lorries as the road is narrow. On the left, an unpaved track forms a three-way junction with the road. Park at the start of the unpaved track.

(S/E) Start the walk by following this track. Walk past some houses. You’ll reach a Y-shaped junction.

(1) Continue straight ahead along the path, which climbs slightly. Pass a house and its garden. Continue climbing, following the wide track and the Vallon des Plaines, until you reach theGR®63.

(2) Turn right onto it and ignore thefirst few junctions until you reach a four-way junction after Puech Balaru.

(3) Leave theGR® here and turn left onto the ascending track. Follow it to reach an unnamed pass.

(4) Leave the track straight ahead and take a small path to the right. Enter the woods, join theGR® and cross it to continue straight ahead. Carry on to the junction with the access path to the old Roman quarry.

(5) Turn right, following the signposts, to reach and visit this site. Look out over the quarry, then head down towards an old stonemasons’ shelter.

(6) Do not climb back up using the rope but return via the same route to the previous junction.

(5) Take the path on the right and continue through the woodland. You will reach a crossroads of tracks.

(7) Take the track opposite, turn immediately right and you will then reach the Mont Mounier watchtower.

(8) Head back down, using a circular loop around the watchtower to return to the previous junction.

(7) Turn left onto the wide path; at the next fork, turn left again at the hairpin bend onto the road leading to the active TM34Omya quarry.
Please note: the road on the right leading to this quarry is closed to traffic.
Continue straight on, passing the old Lens quarry, then go past a wide track on the right leading to the Polycor quarry, which is also in operation. Continue for another hundred metres or so along this road until you reach a path junction.

(9) Take the path to the right, then turn immediately left. Climb slightly, then head back towards the initial crossroads you passed on the way out.

(1) Turn left and retrace your steps along the route you took on the way there to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 126 m - Car park on the road to the quarry and the track
  2. 1 : km 0.76 - alt. 136 m - Crossroads of the circular loop
  3. 2 : km 1.9 - alt. 159 m - GR63
  4. 3 : km 2.81 - alt. 191 m - End of the GR
  5. 4 : km 4.39 - alt. 262 m - Unnamed pass
  6. 5 : km 5.39 - alt. 278 m - Crossroads at the Roman quarry
  7. 6 : km 5.78 - alt. 257 m - Roman quarry - Carrières des Lens (Moulézan)
  8. 7 : km 6.51 - alt. 245 m - Crossroads towards Pic Mounier
  9. 8 : km 6.9 - alt. 279 m - Watchtower of the - Pic Mounier (282m)
  10. 9 : km 8.45 - alt. 183 m - Crossroads: tarmac road meets grassy path
  11. S/E : km 10.28 - alt. 127 m - Car park on the road to the quarry and the track

Worth a visit

(6) See the quarry known as Mathieu. The access path begins at the side of the road leading to the active quarry. A GPS is essential as there are no signposts. The remains of the Mathieu quarry, listed in the register of historic monuments, reveal the quarrying techniques used in the1st century BC.
See full details on the L’Œil Vert website, article dated 12 December 2017.
(8) View over the heath and Montagnac.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
User 10355728

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Easy hike. Lovely views of the valleys.

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Hersey
Hersey

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

This could be a pleasant walk. The only issue is that it’s located on land managed by a hunting club. You should therefore avoid this route between late September and March, as you’ll be causing a great deal of disturbance to the hunters.

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Patte Folle
Patte Folle

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We went out on a sunny Saturday, and were treated to peace and quiet, birdsong, and splendid views stretching from the Cévennes to Mont Ventoux, via Mont Bouquet, with the Pre-Alps visible in the distance.
A very pleasant route, with no major difficulties. Please note that the quarry area is dangerous, so it should be avoided with young children.
Thanks to the author of the route.

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FrancoisAnnie30
FrancoisAnnie30

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, easy walk suitable for everyone

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GORANDO
GORANDO

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Varied landscapes and terrain with a gentle gradient, yet still offering a good workout.
A hike to get back into the swing of things or to get back into shape.

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