Almatret can be explored along several routes: one hiking trail follows the Riba-roja Reservoir past a floating island for waterbirds, while other routes tell the story of mining and more recent history. There are also historic buildings and places in the village. This offers different ways to plan a trip, with a choice of landscapes, hikes and cultural history.

Hiking trails between the reservoir and mining history

Els Tossals d’Almatret belongs to the Catalan system of protected natural areas (PEIN), established in 1992. It is also part of Catalonia’s proposal for the Natura 2000 network.

The Malacate–Mina del Tormo hiking trail from Almatret has been restored and signposted. It runs along the Riba-roja Reservoir and passes a floating island for waterbirds. The route along the water and the bird island are its key landmarks.

Another option is Stage 36 from Mequinenza to Almatret. It reaches Almatret after crossing the Barranco de Aiguamoll and the valley of Mas de Gili. Along the way, it passes the abandoned mines of Lluc, where remains of simple mining installations have been preserved. As trail conditions can change, it is advisable to check this stage before setting out.

The Almatret–Cingle de la Pena hiking trail also starts in Almatret and leads to the Mina de l'Espanyola and the Cingle de la Pena viewpoint above the Ebro. Along the way, the route follows an old trench from the Spanish Civil War. Those weighing up the different trails will find a different historical perspective here from the traces of mining.

The surviving Malacate ramp also tells the story of coal mining in the past: it is all that remains of a machine used to raise and lower coal carts. Only this imposing ramp remains of the machine. Seeing the ramp adds a reminder of the technical work it served to a visit to the former mining sites.

Historic traces in the village

Almatret’s history is also reflected in its varied buildings and documents. The Carta de Població of 1301 is a document from a medieval context, written in the ecclesiastical Latin of the time. It is considered the foundation of the village in its present form. The Antiga presó del poble, in turn, is associated with the death of Francesc Montcada i de Cardona, the first Marquis of Aitona, in 1594.

Religious and public buildings include the parish church of Sant Miquel, a Baroque structure dating from the 18th century, and the Creu de Terme d'Almatret, a Gothic wayside cross from 1608. The church portal is framed by two columns with composite capitals. At La Font, Tamarit’s work and a basin by local stonemason Antonio Mur form a sculptural ensemble. It was inaugurated in 1971 to commemorate the arrival of running water in 1963.

El Pou de la Vila is a stone well mentioned as early as Almatret’s ordinances of 1558. Its surviving features include a wide stone staircase and eleven stone washing places beside it. Each detail—from the historic document and the wayside cross to the well complex—offers its own insight into the village’s history, though they do not all date from the same period or serve the same purpose.

Village centre and festivals

Plaça Major is the centre of Almatret: most of the streets meet here, and it is a good starting point for a visit to the village. If you would like to include local festivals in your travel plans, there are two different annual celebrations to consider. The Sant Blai festival is the main winter celebration; it takes place around 3 February on the nearest weekend and is linked to Carnival. The Sant Miquel autumn festival includes shared meals, a public dinner and other activities for children and adults. As festival dates and programmes may change from year to year, it is advisable to check the latest details before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Palouet, El Pont De Bar, Preixens, Solsona, Riu De Cerdanya, Brics, Vallferosa, Ivorra

For the wider travel overview: Lleida.