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Accueil > Randonnées > “La Matte” forest

“La Matte” forest

This very easy walk, in the middle of centuries-old Scots pines, connects all the activity centers for the whole family that are offered on the shores of Lake Matemale: Sled dogs, mountain bike base, nautical base, archery , equestrian centers, adventure courses, mini-golf, sports course, swimming pool, jacuzzi, and many others!

Arrangements have been made: picnic tables and benches and places with regulation fires for your grills. Bon appétit!
La Forêt de la Matte Scots pines were sown in the forest under the direction of the forest administration of Colbert, at the end of the 17th century and during the reign of Louis XIV, for the future manufacture of the masts of boats for the royal fleet. Altitude softwoods were chosen for this purpose for their technological qualities, flexibility, density, resistance due to very slow growth. However, the advent of steamships doomed the use of these trees from their original destination.

It was not until 1994 that the first pines were used to make tuna masts. The log used for the main mast was 27m long and over 330 years old!
On the other hand, until the 2000s, cones were harvested in the forest of La Matte (part of the stand of which is classified) to be processed in the only French dryer (Joux in the Jura). The dried seeds were then sown in nurseries and the young plants could be shipped throughout Europe. Some European forests are therefore derived from the Capcir pines.

Parcours pédestres N° 23 Pyrénées Catalanes

Matemale

2h

6 km

&

44m

Easy

p

PARKING DE LA DIGUE DU BARRAGE, RIVE GAUCHE DU LAC DE MATEMALE