Montanejos Thermal Springs and Waterfall, food included

Montanejos gives you a full change of scene in one day: a waterfall swim, a warm spring in a rocky gorge, lunch, and a final stop by a dam. The water is the star, but the friendly guides, often Miguel, Borja, or Paula, add local stories, music, photos, and practical help along the way.

I like the small-group feel, which makes an eight-hour outing more personal than a standard coach trip. I also like the useful mix of activity and downtime: you get a proper swim, a short walk, and time to eat instead of racing from one photo stop to the next.

The main thing to know is that the thermal water is warm rather than hot, at about 25°C year-round. Some people find it pleasantly refreshing, while others expect a hotter spa and feel disappointed. Summer crowds can also make the springs less peaceful.

Key points at a glance

• Two very different swims: Start at Salto de la Novia waterfall in summer, then continue to Montanejos for the thermal pool.
• A sociable small-group day: The guides keep the mood easy, help with photos, and often make solo visitors or couples feel included.
• The water is 25°C: Think comfortable natural swimming water, not a steaming bath.
• Lunch is included from April through October: You receive one sandwich or tapa, a soft drink or beer, and coffee.
• The 30-minute walk is seasonal: It can be canceled in summer because of heat and forest-fire risk.
• Bring water shoes: Pebbles in the spring can make bare feet uncomfortable.

From Mestalla to the mountains in 45 minutes

Meet at Mestalla football stadium, on the side facing Aragon Avenue, by gate A3. Your guide wears a Batwalking shirt, which makes the meeting point easier to spot. From there, an air-conditioned van or bus takes you out of Valencia.

The first drive lasts about 45 minutes. That is long enough to settle in, but short enough that the day does not begin with a tiring road haul. The group size varies, and the minimum departure is two people. With a small group, the ride can feel almost like going out with friends. Guides such as Miguel and Borja are praised for filling the drive with facts about the villages and places along the route, rather than treating the transfer as dead time.

The vehicle has air-conditioning, a useful detail in the Valencian summer. Smoking, food, drinks, and alcohol are not allowed inside, so keep snacks and your water bottle for the stops. If you are prone to car sickness, ask about sitting near the front. One guide made that adjustment for a passenger, a small courtesy that can make a major difference on a winding country road.

Salto de la Novia waterfall: your first swim

The first main stop is Salto de la Novia, also called Girlfriend Waterfall. It is separate from the thermal springs, so you get two distinct natural-water settings rather than one attraction with a second viewing angle.

Plan on about an hour here, including a guided visit and time to walk around. In summer, the waterfall is used for a refreshing swim. The water is not described as thermal, so expect a cooler dip than at Montanejos. That contrast works well: the waterfall wakes you up, while the later spring offers a gentler place to linger.

The setting is one of the day’s most attractive stops. Guides have time to point out the area and take photos with your own camera. Borja, in particular, is noted for photographing the group and setting up a WhatsApp profile so everyone could share pictures later. That kind of help is practical, especially when you want a group shot without handing your phone to a stranger.

Arriving early can make this stop feel calm and private, but conditions vary. The tour does not promise an empty waterfall, and popular summer days can be busy. Wear your swimsuit under your clothes if possible. You will save time changing and get more use from the hour.

The 25°C springs at Montanejos

After another transfer of about 45 minutes, you reach Aigües Termals de Montanejos. You get roughly two hours for swimming. The spring water remains around 25°C, or 77°F, throughout the year in the swimming area.

That temperature is the key to judging this outing. It is warmer than many mountain rivers, but it is not a hot bath. On a hot summer afternoon, it may feel pleasantly cool at first, then comfortable once you have been in for a few minutes. Some visitors find the surface warmer while the water below feels chilly. If you are booking because you want a true thermal soak, this may not meet your expectations.

For swimming and floating, though, the place works well. The clear water, rock walls, and mountain setting give the stop a strong sense of place. You are not sitting in a developed spa with tiled pools and changing rooms. This is a natural swimming area, so bring a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes for afterward.

Water shoes are one of the smartest items to pack. The spring bed has plenty of pebbles, and sturdy footwear makes getting in and out easier. The guides may also carry buoyancy aids, which can help if you are not fully comfortable in open water. You still need to follow your own limits, and the activity is not suitable for people with heart problems.

Two hours is enough to swim, take photos, and relax without making the day feel stuck in one place. In very hot weather, the planned walk may be canceled, and more time is spent in the water instead. That is a sensible safety choice, not a lost highlight, especially when temperatures are high and the area faces forest-fire risk.

Lunch after the swim

Lunch follows the swim and lasts about an hour. From April through October, the package includes one sandwich or tapa, a soft drink or beer, and coffee, along with water during the day.

The meal is simple rather than a long regional feast. That suits the outing. You have just spent time in the water, and a quick, casual lunch keeps the schedule moving. The guides reserve tables, which removes one small source of hassle when the group arrives wet, hungry, and ready to sit down.

The food can vary in style because the inclusion allows either a sandwich or a tapa. A few comments describe the meal as good and reasonably priced, but one account treated lunch as an extra expense. To avoid confusion, check the booking terms for your date: the supplied details clearly include lunch from April to October, while the information is less clear outside that period.

A soft drink or beer is included in the stated lunch package, but alcoholic drinks are not allowed in the vehicle. If you want more than the listed meal, budget for it separately rather than assuming the package covers a full restaurant lunch.

Arenós Reservoir and the short walk

After lunch, the route turns to the Arenós Reservoir, with about an hour for a photo stop and a visit. This section gives you a different view of the Montanejos area. The day is not only about swimming. You also get open mountain scenery, a major water structure, and a chance to see how the river system shapes the region.

The planned hike is about 30 minutes and offers good views. It sounds more like a scenic walk than a demanding trek, which makes it suitable for people who want a little movement but are not looking for a full-day hike. Wear comfortable shoes with a decent sole, especially if the ground is uneven.

Expect the guide to shape this part of the day. Miguel is frequently praised for sharing facts, jokes, and stories without making the outing feel like a classroom. Paula and the two Miguels are also noted for making people feel included and keeping an eye on safety. That human touch matters most during the quieter parts of the route, when the group is walking, waiting, or changing between activities.

In summer, the walk may be canceled because of heat-stroke and forest-fire concerns. You will then spend longer at the water. This means the experience changes by season: spring and autumn may offer a better balance of swimming and walking, while summer puts the emphasis on cooling off.

Why the guide matters so much

The scenery would still make this a worthwhile day, but the guide can determine how smooth and enjoyable it feels. This is not a self-guided transport service. Your guide handles the route, explains the stops, helps with photos, reserves lunch tables, and keeps the group moving.

Miguel receives especially strong praise for his humor, energy, and care with safety. He is described as making small groups feel natural, including couples and solo participants, and helping people connect with one another. Borja is noted for arriving early, offering useful information during the drive, and helping the group buy provisions at local shops. Miguel and Paula are also praised for being friendly and professional.

That does not mean every guide has the same personality, or that a lively guide can solve every practical issue. The experience is best for you if you enjoy a social day and appreciate conversation during drives. If you want complete solitude, a private vehicle, or long stretches of quiet, a small-group tour with a chatty host may feel too structured.

The advertised languages are English, Spanish, and German. Confirm the language available for your departure if that matters to you.

Is $108 a fair price?

At $108 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Montanejos. The price includes private transport from Valencia, an air-conditioned vehicle, a guide, taxes, insurance, water, and lunch from April through October. It also packages several stops into one day, which saves you from arranging transport to a rural area and coordinating the waterfall, springs, meal, and reservoir yourself.

The value is strongest if you want convenience and company. You leave from a clear central meeting point, travel directly by van or bus, and have a guide managing the timing. The small-group format also gives you more personal attention than a large coach excursion.

The value is weaker if your only goal is to swim at the springs for as long as possible. You spend part of the day driving, visiting the waterfall, eating, and stopping at the reservoir. The spring swim itself lasts about two hours, not the whole afternoon.

I would also factor in season. From April to October, the included lunch improves the price. Outside those months, confirm what food is provided before booking. The 25°C water also affects the calculation. Pay for this as a complete nature day, not as an expensive hot-spring session.

What to pack for a comfortable day

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, comfortable clothing, and comfortable shoes. I would add water shoes because of the pebbly spring bed, even though they are not listed as compulsory.

A small dry bag or waterproof pouch would be useful for your phone and valuables, although the supplied information does not promise storage. Keep your belongings compact, since space in a shared van is limited.

The activity is suitable for all ages, but it is not suitable for babies under one year, wheelchair users, or people with heart problems. The walk and natural swimming areas also make sensible footwear important. Check the conditions before entering the water, and do not treat a buoyancy aid as a substitute for swimming ability.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. The tour needs at least two people to operate.

Who should book this Montanejos day trip?

You should book it if you want an easy escape from Valencia with several kinds of scenery in one day. It suits couples, friends, solo visitors, and families with older children who enjoy swimming, short walks, and a friendly group atmosphere.

It is also a good pick if you do not have a car. The rural location is much easier to reach with organized transport, and the guide removes the work of planning the route.

Think twice if you expect hot, spa-like water, dislike social tours, use a wheelchair, or need a fully accessible swimming area. You should also avoid booking it solely for the hike, since summer heat can cancel that part of the schedule.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet in Valencia?

The meeting point is at Mestalla football stadium, on the side facing Aragon Avenue, by gate A3. Look for the guide wearing a Batwalking shirt.

How warm are the Montanejos thermal springs?

The water in the swimming area is about 25°C, or 77°F, throughout the year. It is warm compared with many natural rivers, but it is not a hot spa pool.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is included from April through October. The stated meal is one sandwich or tapa, a soft drink or beer, and coffee. Check the conditions for dates outside that period.

How long do I get to swim?

You have about two hours at the Montanejos thermal springs. In summer, if the walking route is canceled because of heat or forest-fire risk, more time may be spent in the water.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable clothing. Water shoes are especially useful because the spring bed has many pebbles.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

The activity is suitable for all ages, but it is not suitable for people with heart problems, wheelchair users, or babies under one year. The tour also requires at least two participants to operate.