Montanejos Hiking Tour & Thermal Pools from Valencia

Montanejos gives you a full day of mountain air, canyon views, and a swim in the Mijares River valley, all without arranging rural transport yourself. The highlight is the combination of a scenic guided hike and time at the Fuentes de los Baños, a natural bathing area surrounded by cliffs.

I like the easy round-trip transport from Valencia, and I like how the day pairs active walking with a cooling swim. Guides such as Arturo, Taoufik, Alejandro, Nouha, Nico, and Filip have earned praise for their humor, energy, and care. The main drawback is the large group size, which can mean a brisk pace and less time for photos or explanations.

Key points to know before booking

• The pools are about 23°C: They are refreshing rather than hot, and some swimmers find them chilly.
• The hike is scenic but not effortless: Expect rocky paths, uphill sections, heat, and a fairly quick pace.
• The group may be large: The coach can carry up to 53 people, so this is not a quiet private walk.
• The best rewards come after walking: Caves, waterfalls, canyon views, and a swim make the effort worthwhile.
• Bring your own supplies: Pack water, food, sunscreen, a hat, hiking shoes, a swimsuit, and toilet paper.
• Transport saves you a headache: The coach handles the long trip from Valencia and back.

Why Montanejos makes a strong day trip from Valencia

Valencia is easy to enjoy for several days, but the city does not show you much of inland Spain. Montanejos changes the setting completely. You leave urban streets behind and head toward pine forests, rocky cliffs, mountain paths, and the turquoise waters of the Mijares River.

The journey takes up part of the eight-hour day, but that is the price of reaching a rural area without renting a car or piecing together public transport. I see the included coach as one of the strongest parts of the deal. At $59.26 per person, the price covers transport, a guided route, a guide, and access to Fuentes de los Baños.

This is not a luxury outing or a small private walk. The coach can hold up to 53 people, and the bathing area can get busy. Still, you receive a complete day away from Valencia with very little planning. If you want a simple escape into nature, the value is solid.

Starting the day at Valencia pickup points

You can meet the coach at Torres de Serranos, at the bus stop in front of the MYR Hotel, or at the Hola Trip office on Carrer de Ramon Llull 21. The guide arrives with the bus and wears a Hola Trip badge.

The timing needs attention. At Torres de Serranos, you should wait 10 minutes before the starting time. At the Hola Trip office, pickup is scheduled 10 minutes after the starting time. Arrive early anyway. A rural day trip will not wait happily for someone still ordering breakfast.

The coach is air-conditioned, which helps during the ride, but one practical tip comes directly from the experience: bring a hoody or light jacket. The air conditioning can feel strong, especially on the return journey after you have been swimming.

You do not get hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to reach one of the two meeting points yourself. The tour is offered in English, and the guides generally keep the mood upbeat. Arturo has been praised for his comic timing, while Taoufik, Alejandro, Nouha, Nico, and Filip have also been singled out for friendly and energetic guiding.

Following the Montanejos mountain route

The walking portion lasts about four hours, though the exact experience depends on the route, weather, and pace of the group. You follow mountain paths above the Mijares River, passing pine woodland, rocky outcrops, and viewpoints over the valley.

The views are the main reason to take the hike. You may look across to the Arenoso Reservoir, see the surrounding peaks, and follow the steep canyon walls as they cut through the valley. In good conditions, waterfalls and wildflowers add color, while birds may circle above the cliffs.

The guides share information about local geology, plants, wildlife, and the story of the Moorish Queen’s Baths. Some guides have also taken groups to a cave, a waterfall cave, a water jet, or a quieter clear-water spot when conditions at the main springs were less attractive. Those extra stops appear to depend on the guide and the day, so treat them as possible bonuses, not fixed promises.

This is where the tour’s strengths and weaknesses meet. The route can feel like a wonderful introduction to inland Valencia, especially when the guide pauses at a viewpoint or explains the area. But a group of up to 53 people cannot move like a small walking club. If you are slow, less fit, or keen to stop for every photograph, you may feel hurried.

One important detail is easy to miss in a short tour description: this is not simply a gentle stroll through a park. You should expect rocky sections, uphill stretches, and a fairly quick pace. Several people have found it manageable, while others have called it challenging, especially under strong summer sun.

Wear proper hiking shoes rather than smooth-soled trainers. Carry your water, sunscreen, hat, and food with you. Do not assume you can leave a bag on the bus during the walk. You should carry anything you need until you reach the bathing area.

Caves, cliffs, and the payoff at the end of the walk

The route’s most memorable moments often come from its less polished parts. A cave can turn an ordinary mountain walk into a small adventure, and a waterfall or water jet gives you a welcome break when the day is hot.

You may also see mountain goats, depending on the conditions. The mix of caves, cliffs, pine trees, and river views gives the hike more variety than a simple out-and-back trail.

Some people have found the route less wild than expected because parts of it follow an electrical transmission line or an access road. Power lines and utility structures can appear in the views. That does not erase the beauty of the gorge, but it is worth knowing if you picture a completely untouched mountain setting.

The guide’s style matters here. A warm and attentive guide can turn the walk into a shared outing, with jokes, local stories, and encouragement on the harder sections. Arturo, Alejandro, Taoufik, Nouha, Nico, and Filip have all been praised for bringing energy to the day. At the same time, the quality of explanation may vary with the guide and the group’s pace.

If you are an experienced hiker hoping for a slow, detailed nature walk, this may feel too organized and too fast. If you want a structured outing with a clear route and a social atmosphere, the format works better.

Swimming at Fuentes de los Baños

After the hike, you reach Fuentes de los Baños de Montanejos, the natural bathing area that gives the excursion its name. The river water stays at about 23°C throughout the year because of its mineral composition.

That temperature needs a clear explanation. These are called thermal pools because of their mineral content and spring water, not because they are hot. At 23°C, the water can feel refreshing on a warm day and cold in autumn, spring, or after a long period in the shade. Some people have found warmer patches nearer the canyon, but you should not book this expecting a hot-spring soak.

The setting is the real pleasure. You can float in the river, sit on the rocks, wade through the water, or walk along the bank. Cliffs and greenery frame the bathing area, and fish may be visible in the clear water. After four hours on foot, even a cool swim can feel like a proper reward.

The water level and clarity can change with weather and season. On some days, the main pools may look cloudy, and the guide may take the group to another clear-water area instead. That flexibility is useful, but it also means the pictures you have seen cannot guarantee the exact appearance on your date.

You receive skip-the-line access to Fuentes de los Baños, which helps with entry. There are washrooms where you can change, and there may be a café or snack bar. Do not depend on it, though. One outing found the café closed for refurbishment, with no easy place to buy a drink or refill a bottle.

Bring your own food and plenty of water. The tour does not include meals or drinks. A picnic near the river is a good use of the free time, provided you carry your supplies responsibly.

How the $59.26 price works out

The $59.26 price is reasonable if you value convenience. You are paying for a full-day coach trip from Valencia, a guide, a planned route, and entry to the bathing area. Reaching Montanejos independently would require more planning, and the tour removes that transport problem.

The value is strongest for solo visitors, couples without a car, and anyone who wants a straightforward outdoor day. You also get the social benefit of joining a group, which can be pleasant if you enjoy meeting people on a day out.

The value is weaker if you want a private guide, a slow walking pace, or a quiet swim. The large group and possible summer crowds are part of the bargain. You may spend time waiting for the group to gather, and the bathing area can feel busy.

There are also different activity versions connected with Montanejos, including hiking, kayaking, and rafting. Confirm exactly which option you are booking, since the route, equipment, and physical demands will differ. The experience described here centers on the guided hike and thermal pools.

Who should take this trip

I would recommend this outing to anyone with moderate fitness who wants one active day outside Valencia. It suits people who enjoy mountain scenery but do not want to plan a route, find a bus, or arrange entry to the springs.

It also works well for solo visitors. The group setting makes it easy to meet people, and the combination of walking and swimming gives the day a clear rhythm.

You should think twice if you dislike brisk group walks, hot weather, crowds, or cold water. The hike may be too demanding for someone expecting a flat path. The pools may disappoint you if you imagine steaming water.

The activity is not suitable for people under 14 or over 65, people with mobility impairments, or anyone unable to manage a moderate mountain route. This is important, since the terrain and pace do not offer much flexibility for limited mobility.

Practical packing list for a better day

Bring:

• Hiking shoes with a secure sole
• Swimsuit and towel
• Plenty of drinking water
• Food or a packed lunch
• Sunscreen and a hat
• A light hoody for the coach
• Toilet paper for the first bathroom stop
• A small bag you can carry during the hike

Put your swimsuit and towel somewhere easy to reach. You may not be able to return to the bus before swimming, and carrying a large suitcase on the trail would be awkward.

Check the weather before you go. Summer heat can make the uphill sections feel much harder, while cooler weather can make a 23°C swim feel brisk. The activity needs good weather, and a cancellation for poor conditions comes with the choice of another date or a full refund.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. A minimum number of participants is also required, and if the operator cancels for that reason, you receive another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Montanejos tour?

Book it if you want an easy way to trade Valencia’s city streets for a day of cliffs, pine trees, caves, river views, and a refreshing swim. The transport alone adds real value, and the guides can make the outing lively and memorable.

Go in with the right expectations. The pools are not hot, the hike is not flat, and the group may be large. For the best chance of enjoying it, bring water and food, wear good shoes, accept that the pace may be brisk, and think of the bathing area as a natural river swim rather than a spa.

I would choose this tour for convenience and variety, not for privacy or polished resort comfort. If that sounds like your kind of day, Montanejos makes a rewarding break from Valencia.

FAQ

How long does the Montanejos tour last?

The experience lasts about eight hours in total, including transport from Valencia to Montanejos and the return journey.

Where can I meet the coach in Valencia?

You can meet at Torres de Serranos, at the bus stop in front of the MYR Hotel, or at the Hola Trip office at Carrer de Ramon Llull 21.

Are the Montanejos pools hot?

No. The water stays at about 23°C year-round. The pools are considered thermal because of their mineral composition, but they are not hot springs.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. Bring your own water and food, since café and refill options may not always be available.

How difficult is the hike?

You need a moderate level of fitness. The route includes mountain paths, rocky sections, and uphill stretches, and the pace may feel fast for less fit walkers.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants can also lead to a different date or a full refund.