The Quarry Trail

A walk through the wild countryside around Castries, not far from Montpellier. You will discover quarries and some particularly interesting sculptures. You will walk through the undergrowth. An amazing route with many surprises in store.

Details

219584
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.50 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 71 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 72 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 99 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 46 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Sussargues (34160)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.716382° / E 4.004162°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2843OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Before setting off: 'Some paths are hidden in the undergrowth and vegetation or between rocks. They are not shown on 1:25,000 maps as they are private property open to visitors and hikers. You will need to keep an eye out for and follow the yellow markings throughout the route.'

Park in the car park at the Sussargues schools.

(S/E) Join the D120 and continue towards the cemetery.

(1) Turn right onto the D54 until you reach the small Olivettes shopping centre.

(2) Turn left onto Rue des Écoles. At the fork, turn left onto Chemin des Courtines and continue until you reach a square. Join the D54, follow it to the right for about 20 metres, then cross (be careful, heavy traffic).

(3) Continue along Rue des Chênes Verts and rejoin the D54.

(4) At the barrier, follow the grassy path and cross a grassy area towards a metal chicane. Go through it and descend towards the Font d'Armand quarry. Climb a few steps to the right of the quarry and follow a gravel path to the right until you reach the housing estate (follow the signs carefully). Take the path on the left and walk along a wall.

(5) At the intersection, take the concrete road on the left, cross the stream and turn left again onto the path leading to the stadium until you reach a crossroads (bench). Turn left and walk through the woods (follow the signs carefully). At the next crossroads, turn left, cross a stream over a stone bridge. At the house, continue along the track until you reach the D54E2 and follow it to the left for about 400m.

(6) Leave the road and walk through the woods to the Fondespierre car park, Chemin de Fondespierre. Pass under the archway and go around the buildings on the right. Continue along the olive grove. At the crossroads in the pine trees, follow the DFCI MOES track to the left and you will come to a path.

(7) Turn right. At the next crossroads, turn right and follow an old vineyard. Then turn left just after the Garonne stream onto a stony track. Turn right at the first crossroads, then left at the next one to reach another crossroads with a cluster of holm oaks.

(8) Turn left, then immediately right into the pine forest. Go right at the next fork.

(9) At the crossroads, continue straight ahead. The path emerges from the undergrowth (follow the signposts carefully), passes a wash house and comes out onto the D26E4. Follow it to the right to reach the entrance to Sussargues, crossing the Valentibus stream.

(10) At the first houses, turn right onto Rue des Aires and continue to the junction with Rue du Bassin.

(11) Turn left into this street, pass the water tower and continue to the D54. Cross (be careful, heavy traffic) and continue left towards the cemetery.

(1) Turn right along the avenue until you reach the school car park (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 61 m - School car park
  2. 1 : km 0.32 - alt. 68 m - Cemetery
  3. 2 : km 0.58 - alt. 77 m - Shopping centre
  4. 3 : km 1.06 - alt. 66 m - On the left, grassy path
  5. 4 : km 1.67 - alt. 54 m - Intersection with a trail
  6. 5 : km 2.41 - alt. 52 m - Take the concrete path on the left
  7. 6 : km 4.28 - alt. 53 m - Take the paved path on the right
  8. 7 : km 6.09 - alt. 70 m - Take the dirt track on the right
  9. 8 : km 6.93 - alt. 95 m - Turn left and right onto the dirt track
  10. 9 : km 7.36 - alt. 85 m - At the crossroads, take the dirt track opposite
  11. 10 : km 8.34 - alt. 60 m - Turn right onto Rue des Aires
  12. 11 : km 8.92 - alt. 78 m - Turn left onto the paved road, Rue du Bassin
  13. S/E : km 9.5 - alt. 61 m - School car park

Notes

Please note: it is not recommended to do this route during heavy rain or in very hot weather!
A pair of hiking boots is compulsory due to the presence of numerous rocks.
There is no water on the route, so bring enough supplies to complete the hike.
Some parts of the hike are in direct sunlight, so protect yourself with sunscreen and wear a hat or cap.

Worth a visit

During the hike:
- viewpoints.
- the quarries and the works on display.

Nearby:
- The town of Castries and its various monuments, such as the castle, the church and the aqueduct.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 45 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
Chlebegue
Chlebegue

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 13, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short walk, partly in the rain but still enjoyable

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User 27780222

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very nice hike to explore the area. Easy to reach from Montpellier by bus.
At point four, I followed another path to the north-east towards Beaulieu, where there are lots of other old quarries to explore. It's magnificent.

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alainmartin77
alainmartin77
• Edited:

Hello
It's true that it's a very nice hike. I did it when it was 37°C, so it was hot!
@lain

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Arpenteurzen
Arpenteurzen

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Easy circuit for beginners

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azeedus
azeedus

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Easy, very pleasant route, fairly well signposted, quite busy with walkers and a few mountain bikes

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Brigittedn
Brigittedn

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The start of the route is unclear. When you arrive at the cemetery, the sign says "turn right", but you should actually turn left and head up towards the Centre de Sussargues until you reach the small shopping centre called "Les Olivettes", which is not mentioned on the sign. The Rue des Ecoles is not indicated. It was only from point (3) onwards that the walk went smoothly and was very pleasant.

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LFau
LFau
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

Far too much driving before finally reaching the hiking trails.
Not a very interesting walk, either in terms of the route or the scenery.
I've seen much better in the same area.

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RODIER
RODIER

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant route.

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Jako34
Jako34

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike in the sunshine; the visit to the quarries is definitely worth it. The route is easy to follow as it is well signposted. Recommended on a beautiful spring day.

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Michelle34
Michelle34

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike, often through woodland. The quarries are an interesting feature of this route.

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Le palavasien
Le palavasien

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike combining the discovery of quarries and sculptures
Shaded route, accessible to all walkers

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PAULBOURDE
PAULBOURDE

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Excellent hike, well described, very well marked and featuring points of interest, such as the sculptures in the quarry, which are really worth seeing.
We also really appreciated the shade, which was much needed in the intense heat.
We'll do it again, going the other way next time.

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alainmartin77
alainmartin77

Hello
Thanks for clarifying that, it will make things easier for everyone.
@lain

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Deux randonneurs
Deux randonneurs

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This route is now very well marked in yellow; there is no need to follow the directions on Visorando.

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alainmartin77
alainmartin77

Hello
Thank you for all your details, which I hope will be useful to other hikers.
@lain

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