Lac de Montbel is a region situated on the border of the Ariège and Aude departments in southern France. This artificial lake, created in 1985, integrates into its surroundings of verdant undergrowth, fields, and forests, with the distant peaks of the Pyrenees visible on clear days. The area offers diverse terrain suitable for several outdoor activities, including touring cycling, road cycling, mountain biking, hiking, and more.
Lac de Montbel provides a range of outdoor activities for various interests and skill levels. The region features more than 20 routes across several sports like touring cycling, road cycling, mountain biking, hiking, and jogging. Cyclists can explore routes around the lake and through the surrounding countryside, with options ranging from paved paths to more technical forest trails. Hikers can find trails offering continuous lake views and panoramic vistas. More than 16,000 visitors have shared their experiences in Lac de Montbel, resulting in an average rating of 4.57 out of 5 stars. For more detailed information on specific activities, explore guides such as MTB Trails around Lac de Montbel, Hiking around Lac de Montbel, and Cycling around Lac de Montbel.
104
Routes
4.5
(253)
Average rating
2363
People visited

4.7
(3)
10
riders
17.3km
01:14
180m
180m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
riders
14.4km
01:04
130m
130m
Moderate bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

4.3
(13)
127
riders
25.3km
01:59
170m
170m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(10)
112
riders
23.4km
01:55
190m
190m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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3.0
(1)
171
runners
15.9km
01:54
110m
110m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.0
(1)
166
runners
15.3km
01:49
100m
100m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

14
runners
10.2km
01:09
40m
40m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

10
runners
8.09km
00:58
40m
40m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.8
(4)
131
riders
65.5km
03:06
860m
860m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(2)
43
riders
41.4km
02:07
390m
390m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
24
riders
79.6km
03:49
1,050m
1,050m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

4.3
(3)
41
riders
33.0km
01:31
280m
280m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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2.9
(9)
34
hikers
8.48km
02:13
60m
60m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(9)
26
hikers
4.14km
01:04
20m
20m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(8)
41
hikers
8.09km
02:05
40m
40m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
29
hikers
9.58km
02:46
230m
230m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.2
(6)
44
riders
46.9km
03:46
680m
680m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(42)
163
riders
19.4km
01:27
120m
120m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(3)
17
riders
45.4km
03:58
980m
980m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

5.0
(1)
13
riders
53.7km
04:14
720m
720m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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4.6
(5)
43
riders
74.8km
05:33
460m
460m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
11
riders
23.9km
01:41
160m
160m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
13
riders
23.1km
01:41
180m
180m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
riders
77.2km
06:21
1,660m
1,660m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
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Lac de Montbel offers a variety of outdoor activities including Touring cycling, Road cycling, Mountain biking, Hiking, and Jogging. The region features 27 routes across these sports, with an average rating of 4.57 out of 5 stars.
A popular touring cycling route is the 'Tour of Lake Montbel,' which is 10.7 miles (17.3 km) long. Other options include the 'Small road with ups and downs – Léran Castle loop' at 31.6 miles (50.8 km). For more routes, consult the Cycling around Lac de Montbel guide.
Yes, Lac de Montbel offers mountain biking trails, including a 'great route around Lake Montbel' with technical sections. Routes like MTB route 16 (Chalabre, 15.9 miles / 25.7 km) and MTB route 17 (Chalabre, 27.1 miles / 43.7 km) provide demanding rides. Find more details in the MTB Trails around Lac de Montbel guide.
A 9.9-mile (16 km) marked hiking trail circumnavigates the lake, offering continuous lake views. Shorter options include the 5.3-mile (8.5 km) 'Lake Montbel loop from Montbel.' The Hiking around Lac de Montbel guide provides additional information.
Yes, Lac de Montbel offers family-friendly options. A 9.3-mile (15 km) mountain bike loop around the lake has little altitude variation. For hiking, the Family-friendly hikes around Lac de Montbel guide lists suitable trails.
Lac de Montbel is characterized by its clear waters, surrounded by verdant undergrowth, fields, and forests. On clear days, the distant peaks of the Cathar Pyrenees, including Pic du Saint Barthélemy, are visible.
Lac de Montbel is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 16,000 visitors sharing their experiences. The region's 27 routes have an average rating of 4.57 out of 5 stars.
Komoot offers several guides for Lac de Montbel, including Cycling around Lac de Montbel, Hiking around Lac de Montbel, and MTB Trails around Lac de Montbel. Guides for easy hikes and family-friendly options are also available.
The official website for information regarding Lac de Montbel and the surrounding region is provided by the Pyrénées Cathares Tourist Office. The website address is https://www.pyreneescathares.com/.
A general contact number for the Pyrénées Cathares Tourist Office, which provides information for the Lac de Montbel region, is +33 5 61 01 11 73.
Yes, Lac de Montbel offers road cycling routes with varying distances. Examples include an easy 'Nice view of Camon – Chalabre loop' at 20.2 miles (32.5 km) and more challenging routes like 'Pont de Montferrier – La Lauze Pass loop' at 36.3 miles (58.5 km). The Road Cycling Routes around Lac de Montbel guide provides further details.

