Montenejos Thermal Springs and Hike

The real draw here is the pairing of a dramatic canyon hike with a swim in naturally warm water. Montanejos gives you a full day outside Valencia, with cliffs, a cave, mountain views, and time to slow down beside the thermal pools.

I like the small group limit of eight, and I like that the route can change with the weather instead of forcing one fixed walk. Guide Howard is praised for sharing useful information about Spain, Valencia, and the area. The main catch is the moderate fitness requirement, plus lunch is on you.

Key things to know

• The Maimona Canyon walk offers two route choices: a full rim loop or a shorter walk to the highest viewpoint with a side trip to Cueva Negra.
• The thermal water stays at about 23°C year-round, making the final swim possible beyond the hottest summer months.
• Your day begins with coffee in Montanejos, either in the main square or on a hotel terrace with views over town, depending on the season.
• The group is capped at eight people, which makes guiding and route changes more practical than on a large coach excursion.
• Round-trip transport from Valencia is included, but lunch, drinks, and any summer bar purchases are extra.
• The tour lasts about eight and a half hours, with a 9:00 a.m. start and a return to the Alameda Beers meeting point.

Why Montanejos makes a good day trip from Valencia

Valencia is easy to enjoy at street level, but the province quickly changes once you leave the city. Montanejos offers a mountain day without asking you to arrange a car, study trail maps, or work out the return journey.

At $108.37 per person, this is not a cheap bus ride to a swimming spot. You are paying for round-trip transport, a guide, a coffee or tea, a planned hike, and a small group. The value is strongest if you want several parts of the day handled for you.

I would not choose this trip simply for the thermal water. The pools are one part of a longer outing that also includes village time and a three-hour canyon walk. If you want a quick soak with very little walking, this will feel too active. If you want fresh air, scenery, and a structured day beyond Valencia, the price is easier to justify.

The 4.8 rating from 11 reviews and a 100 percent recommendation rate suggest a strong early track record. One specific point of praise is guide Howard, whose useful explanations cover not only the countryside but also Spain and Valencia. That matters on a day trip: good guiding can turn a transfer and a walk into a better understanding of the place.

Starting with coffee in Montanejos

The first stop is deliberately gentle. After leaving Valencia, you have about 45 minutes for coffee in Montanejos, an alpine-style mountain village.

The exact setting changes with the season. In busier periods, you may sit near the main square. At other times, coffee is served from a hotel terrace with views across town. The supplied tour details do not promise one exact café, so think of this as a relaxed introduction rather than a dedicated food stop.

I like this pause because it gives you time to get your bearings before the hike. You can take in the mountain setting, have coffee or tea, and start the day without rushing straight from the vehicle onto a trail.

There is no meal included, so do not treat the coffee stop as breakfast or lunch. If you need a substantial morning meal, plan ahead. Lunch is also excluded, and the day runs through the middle of the afternoon.

Choosing your Maimona Canyon route

The main outdoor section lasts about three hours and focuses on the Maimona Canyon. The area is presented as a small-scale version of the Grand Canyon, with steep cliffs, rocky ground, and broad views from above.

You have two walking options. The full route follows the canyon rim in a loop, giving you changing views throughout the walk. The shorter option goes to the highest viewpoint and includes a side trip to Cueva Negra, a large cave cut into the rock.

That choice is one of the tour’s best features. A full loop suits you if you want the complete walk and have the stamina for several hours on foot. The shorter route makes more sense if you want the main viewpoint and the cave without committing to the full circuit.

The activity calls for a moderate level of fitness. That is worth taking seriously. The description does not provide trail distance, elevation gain, or a detailed surface report, so you should not assume this is a flat stroll. The words canyon rim, rocky terrain, and three-hour hike point to a proper outdoor walk.

Good footwear and practical clothing are sensible choices, even though the tour information does not set a formal dress code. You will also want to think about the weather. The route may be adapted if conditions change, and the whole experience requires good weather.

The guide’s role is useful here. A local leader helps you stay on the intended route and allows the walk to be adjusted for conditions. That can be especially valuable when you are balancing the full loop against the shorter viewpoint option.

Cueva Negra and the highest viewpoint

The shorter option is not simply a cut-down version with all the good parts removed. It includes the highest viewpoint and a side visit to Cueva Negra.

The viewpoint gives you the broadest sense of the canyon. From above, the appeal is the contrast between bare rock, sharp cliffs, and the green areas around the water. The cave adds a different kind of interest. Instead of another lookout, you get a close look at a striking rock formation with a darker, more enclosed feel.

The tour description does not give the cave’s dimensions or explain how far the side trip goes. Keep that in mind when deciding what to expect. It is described as a deep cave, but there is no promise of a guided underground exploration or special equipment.

For many people, the shorter route with the cave will offer the best balance. You still get the main high view and a distinctive natural feature, while saving energy for the thermal pools. The full rim loop is better for strong walkers who care most about a longer outing and repeated canyon views.

The route choice is not presented as a rigid promise. Weather conditions can affect the plan, so the final walk may differ from the ideal version described here. I see that as a practical strength, provided you are comfortable with some flexibility.

Finishing in 23°C thermal water

After the walk, you head to Aigues Termals de Montanejos for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. The thermal water remains around 23°C throughout the year.

That temperature is mild and refreshing rather than hot-tub warm. After a three-hour walk, it can feel like a welcome reset, especially if you enjoy cool natural water more than heated spas. The setting, surrounded by cliffs and greenery, gives the swim much of its appeal.

You should also keep your expectations realistic. This is a natural swimming stop, not a private spa treatment. The tour details do not promise changing facilities, towels, reserved seating, or a private pool. Bring what you need for a swim and keep the practical side of the stop in mind.

In summer, you can buy a drink at the bar beside the pools. In quieter seasons, the group goes into Montanejos for a relaxing drink before returning to Valencia. Those drinks are not listed as included, so carry money or a payment method for purchases.

The thermal stop is long enough to make the day feel balanced. You are not expected to hike, take one quick look at the water, and immediately leave. Still, 1 hour and 15 minutes passes quickly if you want to swim, change, dry off, and buy a drink.

Transport, timing, and group size

The tour begins at 9:00 a.m. at Alameda Beers, Pg. de l’Albereda, 15, in Valencia’s El Pla del Real area. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

An air-conditioned vehicle is included. That is a major part of the value because Montanejos is outside Valencia, and arranging your own transport would add time and planning. The exact transfer duration is not provided, but the total experience lasts about eight and a half hours.

The listed stops account for roughly five hours: 45 minutes for coffee, three hours for hiking, and 1 hour 15 minutes at the thermal waters. The remaining time covers travel between Valencia and Montanejos and movement between stops.

The maximum group size is eight. I prefer that size for a walk with route choices. A guide can explain the options, keep the pace more personal, and make a weather-related change without managing a large crowd.

The tour is offered in English. Confirmation arrives at booking, and the meeting point is near public transportation. You should still check the exact meeting instructions in your confirmation, especially if you are unfamiliar with Valencia’s streets.

What the $108.37 price covers

The fare includes:

• Round-trip transport from Valencia
• An air-conditioned vehicle
• English-language guiding
• Coffee and tea
• The guided Montanejos walk
• Time at the thermal springs

Lunch is not included. Drinks at the summer bar or in town are also separate. Those costs are easy to overlook because the day begins with coffee and ends near places where you may want something to eat.

For me, the price works best for someone who values convenience and a small group. You do not have to rent a car, find the canyon route, decide which thermal area to visit, or organize a safe return to Valencia.

The price is less attractive if you already have transport, prefer to hike alone, or only want access to the pools. In that case, a self-guided outing may give you more control, though the supplied information does not provide independent transport costs or local access details for comparison.

Who will enjoy this day most

This experience suits you if you want a full day in nature but prefer not to manage every moving part yourself. It is a good match for active adults who are comfortable with a moderate hike and happy to finish with a swim.

It also works well for visitors with limited time in Valencia. You see a mountain village, walk through a canyon, visit a cave, and reach thermal water in one outing. The day has more variety than a simple scenic transfer.

You may want to skip it if you dislike changing plans, cannot manage a three-hour walk, or are looking for a warm spa pool. The water is about 23°C, and the weather can affect the route or lead to cancellation.

The tour is not described as wheelchair accessible, and no accessibility details are provided. If mobility or trail access is a concern, ask the provider before booking rather than assuming the shorter route will be easy.

Weather, cancellation, and practical planning

Good weather is required. If poor conditions cause the tour to be canceled, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. departure are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local time.

The most useful preparation is simple: plan for a moderate walk, bring swim essentials, and arrange food for the day. Since the route may change, avoid packing your schedule so tightly that a slightly different walk becomes a problem.

I would also keep the day open after the listed return time. The total duration is approximate, and mountain transport can take longer than city travel.

Should you book Montanejos Thermal Springs and Hike?

Book it if you want an active, varied escape from Valencia and value having transport, guiding, and route planning taken care of. The small group, the choice between two canyon walks, and the 23°C thermal water make this more than a standard sightseeing bus trip.

Think twice if lunch planning, moderate hiking, or cool natural water does not suit you. The strongest reason to choose this outing is the combination of canyon views and a relaxing swim, not any single stop by itself.

For an English-speaking visitor who wants a practical day outside the city, I would consider this a good choice, especially if Howard is leading the group and you appreciate clear local context along the way.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at 9:00 a.m. at Alameda Beers, Pg. de l’Albereda, 15, El Pla del Real, 46010 València. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the Montanejos tour last?

The experience lasts about 8 hours and 30 minutes.

What hiking options are available?

You can choose a full loop around the Maimona Canyon rim or a shorter route to the highest viewpoint with a side trip to Cueva Negra.

How warm is the thermal water?

The thermal water stays at about 23°C year-round.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, and drinks bought at the poolside bar or in town are also separate.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can receive a full refund or select a different date.