Holiday apartment in Matemale: Lac de Matemale, trails and winter

A holiday apartment in Matemale is an appealing option if you would like to plan your holiday around water-based experiences, days of hiking, nature and winter activities. The specific highlights range from Lac de Matemale to historic paths.

Lac de Matemale and its natural surroundings

Lac de Matemale is a 223-hectare artificial reservoir in the municipality of Matemale, at an altitude of 1,541 metres. Its size and location shape the character of the village and give a stay by the water a clear landscape focus.

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

Water, winter and outdoor activities

At the leisure centre on Lac de Matemale, the facilities include a sailing school and pedal boat, kayak and canoe hire. This allows you to combine a day at the lake with different forms of water sports.

In winter, Matemale offers classic cross-country skiing and skating, snowshoe hikes, and dog-sled rides on Nordic trails and groomed, marked tracks. Several mountain-biking routes start from Matemale; alongside the winter programme, this also provides a specific focus for active days on two wheels.

Hiking and history

The GR® de Pays Tour du Capcir is a 63-kilometre, four-day circular hike starting and ending at Lac de Matemale. In summer, the Association NATAPH organises a half-day Joëlette hike around Lac de Matemale. The different distances help you compare the planned hiking duration.

The circular La Tour de Creu hike begins in Matemale, follows old Roman roads and reaches the remains of a Romanesque castle. The Saint-Pierre church in Matemale, a rebuilt 13th-century church, is also located along the GR® de Pays Tour du Capcir route.

Choose a holiday apartment in Matemale according to your holiday theme

If you are travelling with children, Cheval’Rando offers riding lessons, pony hire and a pony club for children aged three and over. The leisure centre on Lac de Matemale also offers riding centres, mountain-bike hire, mini golf and archery. This allows you to distinguish between water-based, sporting, recreational and horse-riding activities when planning your days.

When choosing your holiday apartment in Matemale, you can base your decision on your preferred daily rhythm: time at the lake, longer hikes, winter activities, cycling routes or historic paths each provide a different focus. One route connects the free Parking des Télécabines with the Espace Loisirs du lac de Matemale and then leads back.

More destinations

Caixas, Le Tech, Ur, Vingrau, Argeles-Sur-Mer, Saint-Laurent-De-Cerdans, Prades, Saint-Estève

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