From Montmirat to the Bois de Lens

A hike mostly through forest, under the canopy of the Bois de Lens.
Throughout the walk you'll experience stunning scenery.
You'll also discover the Pielles Roman quarry, Macassargues caves (which were occupied by Neanderthal man), the pre-Roman sanctuary of Mabousquet (1st century BC), the Clunisian abbey of Jouffre (3rd century) and the Castellas de Montmirat (11th century).

Technical sheet

84362
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.21 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 331 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 333 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 270 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 83 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Markers: Sometimes yellow, but not obvious. Look out for signs at important intersections.
Car park at the bar/stop-off point and in the adjoining street.
From the car park

(S/E)Cross the D6110 and take the Rue des Prades. Continue on it remaining close to the stream. Go under the Castelas.

(2) Ignore the track (damaged by heavy rains in October) and take the trail to the right that rises through the Bois de Pignède. Still going south, continue to climb, and then descend on a very stony path.

(3) At Fond du Frêne, two almost-dry streams join: The Valat des Grazilles and the Valat de Mont Cau. Cross the first stream, and a few meters further leave the main path, turning left on the very pleasant trail that goes up toward the summit of the Ombrens, peaking at 275m (markers on the pylons).

(4) At the summit, make a return trip to visit the Pielles quarry (400m approx). This is the ideal place for a picnic break. Then descend toward the east up to the Combe des Chèvres (a large clearing). Continue on the track, fully north, until the place known as the Fangasset.

(5) At the junction, take a sharp left onto a wide track. At the end of a straight line of 2-300m at the top of the hill, you'll make out an intersection and, set back a little on your right, you can see a small cairn. It marks the entrance of a dense trail leading to the Macassargues caves, about a hundred meters further on (take a torch).
Next, at a point where four paths cross, turn right in a northerly direction for 2km (you'll spot a green tank on the path: it says "tirer la chasse" written on the side (flush the toilet!).

(6) When you arrive at a junction of several tracks for the Col de Majourdan, take the one that goes southwest to walk along the Crête de Mabousquet ridge (here you can make a return trip to the Mabousquet sanctuary on a track to your right, which is barely visible and not marked) then walk toward Montmirat (and there's another return trip to see the Abbaye de Jouffe). To access the abbey, look for an entrance and a sign warning of bulls (which do not exist). Walk through the field up to the abbey.
A few hundred meters further on, to your left, is a beautiful ruined sheep pen from the Roman era.
Arrive at the Castellas de Montmirat (not much remains visible) and finish the descent towards Les Prades and the Montmirat car park.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 87 m - Montmirat. Car park
  2. 1 : km 0.63 - alt. 88 m - Path on the right going up
  3. 2 : km 2.48 - alt. 136 m - Ash Fountain
  4. 3 : km 4.28 - alt. 267 m - Junction. Return journey to the quarry
  5. 4 : km 4.5 - alt. 270 m - Pielles quarries
  6. 5 : km 7.06 - alt. 207 m - Fangasset crossroads
  7. 6 : km 7.69 - alt. 251 m - Grottes de Bragassargues
  8. 7 : km 10.27 - alt. 233 m - Col de Majourdan
  9. 8 : km 12.39 - alt. 208 m - The Jouffe chapel
  10. 9 : km 12.96 - alt. 163 m - Roman sheepfold
  11. 10 : km 13.13 - alt. 145 m - Castellas de Montmirat
  12. S/E : km 14.21 - alt. 87 m - Montmirat. Car park

Practical information

There are few or no markers for this hike.
A GPS or smartphone with this route will be useful.

Reviews and comments

4.1 / 5
Based on 78 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.2 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
jm34.valery
jm34.valery
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

On Thursday 27 March, we did a reconnaissance of this route for our club and I have to say that it wasn't very exciting.
Apart from the section between points 1 and 5, which winds its way through heath and undergrowth, the rest of the hike is on fairly monotonous DFCI tracks.
At point 6: The first 2 caves are crossed without difficulty, but we did not cross the 3rd cave, which has a narrower entrance.
From point 7, the small path on the right that leads to the sanctuary is 1,300m further on. Pass in front of the sanctuary and continue on the same path, which returns to the main track.
Access to the ruins of the chapel is inaccurate on the GPS map, shown too far away, and is in fact 500m further upstream, just before the large hairpin bend on the left. A small green sign set back from the track on the left indicates access.
The Castellas is now private and can no longer be visited.
Otherwise, there is no difficulty in crossing the streams.

Automatically translated

FrancoisAnnie30
FrancoisAnnie30

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

Interesting without being sublime. Use of the GPS is essential.

Automatically translated

Michel&Badette
Michel&Badette

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

The restaurant "Le Castillas" in Montmirat does not really want hikers to use its car park and prefers that you park just above it, in the school car park (available when there is no school).
The route is pleasant, unless it's too hot, but there are few viewpoints.

Automatically translated

GMGALD
GMGALD

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Beautiful walk in the heath, you can park very easily in the starting street, the GPS is very useful, don't do it in very hot or humid weather, I didn't even see a bike.

Automatically translated

34070GG
34070GG

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

A very pleasant walk through the Bois de Lens,

Automatically translated

ALD0
ALD0

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

The GPS track on the app was very good and helped us a lot. It's a lovely walk with very little traffic, which was very pleasant. We came across several small streams.
Be careful in summer, though, as there is very little shade along the way. There are very few viewpoints.
A multitude of paths cross, so it's easy to change the route depending on whether you want to make it longer or shorter.
We had a great time.

Automatically translated

7oise
7oise

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

hike made 2 times because recognition before bringing a group. very beautiful point of view first time dry passage, but yesterday as indicated at the beginning of the hike, presence of water but crossable. on the other hand we parked in front of the school, there is place without having anything to ask.

Automatically translated

Patte Folle
Patte Folle

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

In this early spring and after the generous rainfall, the outing was a thing of beauty!
I had no trouble finding my way around, either with the description or the GPS track. What makes this walk so interesting is the variety of the environment, the coombs, the rieux, the first spring flowers, the more or less recent remains, the caves...
I liked it all, even the DFCI. The view of the Cévennes foothills is superb!
That day I came across 2 groups of very (too) noisy walkers...
Thank you to the creator of this trail.

Automatically translated

sucre
sucre

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Hiking day: Thursday .
A sporty walk for people in their seventies, but comfortable nonetheless, with beautiful views of the Cévennes.
No particular difficulty, not to be done the day after it rains, but there are a few fords.
The quarry is ideal for a picnic.

Automatically translated

daniel dit stephane
daniel dit stephane

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

This hike takes you on a journey through time, from Neanderthal to the present day.
BEAUTIFUL PANORAMA over the RHONE valley and the Ventoux, over the CEVENNES, as well as the coastline on a clear day.
Thanks to this hike I discovered the character of Saturnin GARIMOND from FONS OUTRE GARDON.
I walked through geological, prehistoric and palaeontological history, thanks to this self-taught man who worked with scientists from the MONTPELLIER UNIVERSITY, and who went on to achieve worldwide recognition. I will visit his museum at the town hall in FONS.
Daniel dit STEPHANE

Automatically translated

blablaclo
blablaclo

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Busy trail : No

No major difficulties on this route.
Progress is a little monotonous, mostly in forests or on tracks.
Lots of tracks and forest.....
A few points of interest that break up the monotony of the route.
A little weary, we cut off at point 7 to return directly to the starting point.
GPS required
Do not do this tour in very hot weather or during the hunting season.

Automatically translated

belhadj
belhadj

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

A hike that is accessible to everyone, with no particular difficulty.

Automatically translated

Pp30
Pp30

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Hello
This is a very pleasant hike, but don't do it in the middle of summer, as there are quite a few uncovered tracks. Ideally, you should park in the municipal car park, which is right on the street from the start.
It's best to have a GPS.
Beautiful views.

Automatically translated

Steff692330
Steff692330

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Unsurfaced, single-track and dfci trails. Beautiful scenery. Lovely walks amongst the vegetation. Moderate gradients. Really good!

Automatically translated

marco3031
marco3031

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 03, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Good evening
Nice hike but too many DFCI tracks at the end, but the various points of interest save the day.
The GPX track is very welcome.
Thanks a lot.

Automatically translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of the author. Do not copy them without permission.