Montanejos Thermal Springs and Waterfall, food included

Montanejos makes a fine change of pace from Valencia: a waterfall swim, a clear mountain pool, and a reservoir stop all fit into one day. I like the variety of the route and the chance to swim in spring water that stays at about 25°C year-round. Guides such as Miguel and Borja have also made a point of sharing local stories and helping groups feel at ease.

One thing to know before you book: these are warm, not hot, springs. Some people find the water cool, especially once they move below the surface, and summer crowds can take some of the peace out of the swim. The 30-minute walk may also be dropped in hot weather, when the group spends more time by the water instead.

• Two very different swims: Salto de la Novia waterfall comes first, followed by Montanejos’ clear spring pools.
• The spring water is 25°C: Pleasant for a swim, but not the steamy soak the word thermal might suggest.
• Lunch is seasonal: April through October, the tour includes a sandwich or tapa, a soft drink or beer, and coffee.
• Arenós reservoir adds a final scenic stop: Expect a visit and photo stop, with a walk depending on conditions and the day’s plan.
• The guide can shape the day: Guides including Miguel, Borja, and Paula have led tours, with local commentary and a friendly, informal approach.
• Bring water shoes and a towel: The spring bed is pebbly, and you’ll want swimwear, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes too.

From Mestalla to the mountain roads

The day begins at Mestalla football stadium, on the side facing Aragón Avenue, by gate A3. Look for a guide wearing a Batwalking shirt. From there, you travel in an air-conditioned vehicle toward Montanejos, with about 45 minutes on the first leg and another 45 minutes between the waterfall and the springs.

The tour lasts about eight hours overall, with a longer drive back to Valencia at the end. That’s a full day, but the route gives you several distinct stops rather than one long visit to a single pool. The transfer is part of the experience: guides may point out places along the way and tell stories about the region. Miguel and Borja are among the guides who have led the trip, though you should expect a different guide on some departures.

The tour requires at least two people to run. It is described as an intimate group outing, but there is no group-size limit provided, so don’t count on having the van or the swimming spots to yourselves. The drive is private transport from Valencia, not a public bus connection you need to arrange.

A waterfall swim at Salto de la Novia

The first major stop is Salto de la Novia, also known as Girlfriend waterfall. It is separate from the Montanejos springs, so think of it as its own outing rather than a quick view beside the main pool. You’ll have about an hour here for a guided visit, a walk, and, in summer, a refreshing swim.

The waterfall is a good opener. It gets you outdoors quickly and gives the day a different feel from the spring stop to come. The natural setting is the point: take in the falls and their surroundings, and use the time to get comfortable in the water before the longer swim later.

The water here can feel refreshing rather than warm, so the first swim may be bracing. You don’t have to swim to enjoy the stop, but bring your swimsuit and towel if you want the option. If you’re traveling in summer, keep your belongings simple and make sure you have sunscreen for time outdoors.

The Montanejos springs: clear water, cool truth

The main event is Aigües Termals de Montanejos, where the group has about two hours for swimming. The spring water stays around 25°C throughout the year in the swimming area. That is mild and inviting compared with cold river water, but it is not a hot-spring bath. If you imagine steam rising from a pool, adjust your expectations.

The setting is the real draw. The water is clear, the rocky surroundings make a striking backdrop, and the pools sit among the natural features that have made Montanejos a popular escape from Valencia. Some people compare the scenery to Thailand, but the useful point is simpler: this is a scenic outdoor swim, not a spa with heated facilities.

A practical tip: pack water shoes. The bottom is pebbly, which can make walking in and out less comfortable barefoot. Some guides have brought buoyancy aids, but don’t assume one will be available for your departure. If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the guide about safety before entering and stay within your comfort zone.

The two hours at the springs include the time allotted for the stop, not two uninterrupted hours in the water. The schedule then sets aside an hour for lunch. On busy summer days, the swimming area can feel crowded; swimming farther around the pool may bring a quieter feel, but conditions vary. In cooler weather, or if you’re sensitive to cool water, you may prefer to spend less time swimming and more time enjoying the view.

Lunch is included in season, not all year

From April through October, the tour includes one sandwich or tapa, a soft drink or beer, and coffee. That is a useful addition to an outdoor day, though it is a simple meal rather than a full restaurant feast. The schedule gives lunch about an hour, after the spring stop.

Outside those months, lunch is not included in the package details. Plan accordingly and check what food arrangements are available for your date before you go. Food and drinks are not allowed in the vehicle, so don’t plan to snack during the drive. Water is included, and the tour information also prohibits drinks in the vehicle.

Some guides have arranged tables at a café or helped the group find a meal nearby. That can make a group lunch easier, especially when everyone has just changed out of swimwear, but it is not a separate promise of a particular restaurant or menu. The included meal is a sandwich or tapa, a drink, and coffee, not a choice of several courses.

Arenós reservoir and the walk

After lunch, the route continues to Embalse de Arenós for a visit and photo stop. The plan gives this stop about an hour. It provides another perspective on the area after the pools: a chance to look out over the reservoir and stretch your legs before the return journey.

A short hiking route of about 30 minutes is also part of the day’s plan, with views around the thermal springs. The exact order and feel of this walk may depend on the conditions and how the day is running. In summer, the walk can be canceled because of the risk of heat stroke or forest fires, and the group spends more time in the water instead. That is sensible in high heat, but if walking is a key reason you’re booking, don’t assume it will happen in summer.

The reservoir stop and walk help break up a day that otherwise centers on swimming. Still, this is not a demanding hiking tour. The walk is short, and the emphasis is on scenery and an easy outdoor day.

The guide is a major part of the experience

The tour is led in English, Spanish, or German. A good guide can make the drives and transitions feel less like logistics and more like part of the outing. Guides including Miguel, Borja, and Paula have led the trip; past departures have featured local commentary, jokes, music, and help with group photos. Your guide and the style of the day may differ.

That personal touch matters on a small outdoor excursion. A guide who keeps an eye on the group, explains where to go, and helps everyone feel included can make the stops easier to enjoy. Some guides have helped take photos or looked after belongings while people were in the water. These are thoughtful gestures, not services you should count on as guaranteed.

The tour is described as suitable for all ages, but it is not suitable for babies under one year, wheelchair users, or people with heart problems. If you have a medical concern or need mobility support, the route and swimming stops may not be a good fit.

Is $108 good value?

At $108 per person, the price buys more than transport to a single swimming spot. It covers private transport from Valencia, an air-conditioned vehicle, a guide, water, taxes, and insurance, along with the waterfall, spring, and reservoir stops. In April through October, it also includes the stated lunch. That makes the price easier to justify if you want a full day out without arranging rural transport and meal plans yourself.

The value depends on what you want from the day. If you’re keen to swim, see several natural sites, and have a guide handle the route, it is a convenient package. If you only want a long, quiet soak, the schedule may feel too structured, especially since the spring water is mild and the time at each stop is limited. You can also expect some travel time: the drive back is about an hour and a half, in addition to the earlier transfers.

There is free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start times when booking, since they vary. For the meeting point, go to Mestalla’s Aragón Avenue side, gate A3, and look for the guide’s Batwalking shirt.

What to bring and when to go

Pack swimwear, a towel, comfortable shoes, comfortable clothes, and sunscreen. Water shoes are especially useful at the springs because of the pebbles. You’ll be outdoors for much of the day, and the summer sun can make the short walk unsafe, so take the heat seriously and follow the guide’s directions.

Summer brings the best chance to swim at the waterfall, but it can also mean more people at Montanejos and a canceled hiking route. If a quieter outing matters more than hot-weather swimming, consider a date outside peak summer, while keeping in mind that the water remains about 25°C year-round. The provided details do not promise a particular crowd level for any date.

Should you book the Montanejos day trip?

Book it if you want a varied day outside Valencia, enjoy swimming in natural settings, and value having transport and a guide arranged. The mix of Salto de la Novia, Montanejos’ clear pools, lunch in season, and the Arenós reservoir makes the day feel broader than a simple trip to a swimming hole.

Think twice if you expect very hot water, need a long, uninterrupted soak, or are booking mainly for the hike in midsummer. The springs are warm by natural-water standards, not hot, and the walk can be canceled in summer. Bring water shoes, arrive ready for a full day, and treat the guide’s local stories and practical help as a welcome bonus.

FAQ

How long is the Montanejos tour?

The activity lasts about eight hours, with the return to Mestalla football stadium at the end.

Where is the meeting point in Valencia?

Meet at Mestalla football stadium on the side facing Aragón Avenue, by gate A3. Look for a guide wearing a Batwalking shirt.

How warm are the Montanejos springs?

The water in the swimming area is about 25°C year-round. It is warm, but it may feel cool if you expect a hot spring.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is included from April through October. It consists of one sandwich or tapa, a soft drink or beer, and coffee.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and clothes, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Water shoes are useful because the spring bed is pebbly.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

The activity is described as suitable for all ages, but it is not suitable for wheelchair users, babies under one year, or people with heart problems.