Matemale: Lac de Matemale, Winter Trails and Culture

Lake and landscape of Matemale

If you are considering Matemale for a winter or active holiday, Lac de Matemale is a central geographical reference point: the artificial reservoir covers 223 hectares, lies within the municipality of Matemale and is located at an altitude of 1,541 metres. The size of the water surface and the altitude shape the landscape surrounding the lake.

Lac de Matemale borders the Forêt royale de la Matte. The forest is characterised by centuries-old Scots pines. Matemale is part of the Massif de Madres-Coronat Natura 2000 site (FR9101473) and lies within the Parc naturel régional des Pyrénées Catalanes.

Winter Activities and Hiking Routes

In winter, Matemale offers classic cross-country skiing and skating, snowshoe hikes and dog-sled rides on Nordic trails and groomed, marked tracks. In the classic style, you ski in parallel tracks, while skating involves a technique similar to ice skating. This distinction helps with planning when different cross-country skiing techniques or several Nordic activities are to be taken into account. Snowshoes and dog sleds complement the two types of cross-country skiing.

In summer, the Association NATAPH organises a half-day Joëlette hike around Lac de Matemale. The GR® de Pays Tour du Capcir is a 63-kilometre, four-day circular hike starting and ending at Lac de Matemale. Its length and duration make the tour a multi-day route plan, while its circular format includes returning to the starting point at the lake.

Culture Along the Trails

The Church of Saint-Pierre in Matemale is a renovated 13th-century church and lies along the route of the GR® de Pays Tour du Capcir. Those who combine this section of the route with a cultural stop will encounter a historic building in the village.

Another circular hike, La Tour de Creu, starts in Matemale. Its route follows old Roman roads and reaches the remains of a Romanesque castle.

Leisure Activities at Lac de Matemale

The leisure centre at Lac de Matemale includes a sailing school and rentals of pedal boats, kayaks and canoes. The water-based activities cover different ways of spending time on the lake and complement the winter trails and tracks with activities on the water.

The leisure centre at Lac de Matemale also offers riding centres and mountain bike rentals. Cheval’Rando provides riding lessons and pony hire; a pony club is also part of the offering. The leisure centre at Lac de Matemale also includes mini-golf and archery. Several mountain bike routes start from Matemale.

Route to the Espace Loisirs

A route leads from the free Parking des Télécabines to the Espace Loisirs du lac de Matemale and back.

Other destinations: La Llagonne, Font-Romeu-Odeillo-Via, Mont-Louis, Saint-Pierre-Dels-Forcats, Osséja, Formiguères, Porté-Puymorens, Canaveilles

For the higher-level travel overview: Pyrénées-Orientales.