From Valencia: Montanejos Thermal Spring & Girlfriend Waterfall

The best part of this day trip is the contrast: you float in a river canyon at the 25°C Montanejos thermal springs, then later reach Salto de la Novia, where a waterfall drops into a separate natural pool. It gives you mountain scenery and two very different swims in one outing.

I like the friendly guides, especially Ivan, Miguel, Kika, and Manuel, who keep the group connected and add useful facts about the area. I also like the air-conditioned transport, since Montanejos is about 90 minutes from Valencia and the ride back feels much easier after a day in the water.

The main caution is footwear and terrain. This is not a flip-flop outing. Some paths are rocky and steeper than the phrase gentle hike suggests, and rocks around the waterfall can be slippery. Bring closed-toe trainers and proper water shoes.

Key things to know before you book

• Two swim stops: The Montanejos spring stays at about 25°C all year, while Salto de la Novia is a separate, non-thermal waterfall pool.
• A full mountain day: The trip lasts about eight hours, including transport from Valencia, swimming time, lunch, and short walks.
• Guides shape the experience: Ivan, Miguel, Kika, Manuel, and other local guides are praised for humor, care, clear explanations, and group spirit.
• Pack the right shoes: Trainers are needed for the paths. Water shoes help over stones at both swimming areas.
• Lunch is not included: You’ll need to pay for your own meal, though food options are available and some departures have offered sandwiches and drinks.
• Small group format: The maximum is 24 people, with some departures much smaller.

From Valencia to Montanejos in 90 minutes

The meeting point is on Avenida de Suècia, 27, near Valencia’s Mestalla area. The tour starts at 9:00 am and returns to the same meeting point after roughly eight hours.

You travel by private, air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking professional guide. That matters in summer, when the drive through inland Valencia can feel long in an ordinary car. The vehicle also gives you a practical home base for the day, especially when you return wet, tired, and carrying swimming gear.

The group can reach 24 people, though some departures have been much smaller. A small group makes it easier for the guide to keep track of everyone at the swimming spots and helps solo visitors meet people without the day feeling like a large coach excursion.

The journey itself is part of the appeal. Valencia is known for its city streets, beaches, and modern architecture, but Montanejos takes you into a very different part of the province. You trade urban heat for mountains, a river, rocky paths, and thick greenery along the water.

This is a guided outing rather than a long independent hike. The walking is included to help you reach viewpoints and natural sites, not to provide a full day of serious trekking.

Montanejos springs: a natural swim at 25°C

The main stop is Fuente de los Baños de Montanejos, a natural thermal bathing area where the water remains about 25°C, or 77°F, throughout the year.

That temperature is worth understanding. The water is comfortably mild rather than hot, so do not picture a steaming spa. In warm weather, it can feel refreshing. In cooler months, it may feel distinctly cold once you leave the water, and one late-September visit found it chilly.

You have about two hours here, which gives you time to swim, float, take photographs, and enjoy the river canyon without rushing through it. The setting is the real prize. You are surrounded by rock, running water, and mountain scenery rather than tiled pools and changing rooms at a resort.

The bathing area can be busy, particularly on Sundays and during the summer season. That does not make it a poor stop, but it does affect the mood. If you want silence and solitude, this organized day trip may disappoint. If you want a scenic swim with enough free time to enjoy it, the stop works well.

Changing facilities are basic. Portable bathrooms have been used for changing, so bring a simple day bag and avoid packing anything you do not want to handle near the water. Guides may watch belongings while the group swims, but you should still keep valuables to a minimum.

A waterproof pouch for your phone is one of the smartest items to pack. You’ll want photographs from the river, and a regular phone case will not protect your device if it slips into the water.

The short walk and what to expect on the path

The walking portion is short, but you should not treat it as a flat stroll. Parts of the route include loose rock and inclines, and one section includes Spanish Civil War trenches, adding a small piece of local history to the outing.

You do not need advanced hiking equipment for the route, but closed-toe shoes are important. Ordinary tennis shoes have been enough for some people, while others felt that a knee brace or walking stick would have helped on steeper or rougher sections.

I would not wear Crocs, open sandals, or beach shoes for this part of the day. Even if you are comfortable walking in sandals around town, loose stones and sloping ground are a different matter. Save your water shoes for the river.

The walk also gives you a better look at the area than simply stepping out of a vehicle beside the spring. Guides add short explanations about geography, plants, and local sites. Ivan, Miguel, and Kika are particularly good choices if you enjoy a lively guide who talks with the group rather than simply pointing out stops.

If you have young children, the outing can work well, and children have joined successfully. Still, parents should expect supervision near water and on rocky sections. The tour is family-friendly in spirit, but it is not a completely hands-off nature park visit.

Lunch in Montanejos: flexible, but not included

Lunch is not part of the advertised price, so allow room in your budget. The schedule gives you about 30 minutes for the meal, making this more of a practical refueling stop than a long Spanish lunch.

Food arrangements can vary. Some departures have included a selection of sandwiches and a drink, while another group enjoyed a three-course meal at a hotel. There is also an open-air place where you can order food and drinks. Since the exact meal is not fixed in the tour details, ask your guide about the day’s plan and carry a small snack if you tend to eat early.

The short lunch break helps keep the day moving. You have two nature stops to fit into eight hours, so a relaxed two-hour restaurant meal would leave less time for the waterfall and swimming. If food is a major part of your travel plans, this is not a food tour. The water and mountain setting are the reason to book it.

Cold water has been available from the vehicle on some outings. It is still sensible to bring your own refillable bottle, especially in warm weather and after swimming.

Salto de la Novia: a different kind of water stop

The second major destination is Salto de la Novia, known here as the Girlfriend Waterfall. The drive from Montanejos is included, and you have about two and a half hours in total around this part of the day, including the transfer and time at the waterfall.

This is not the thermal spring. The water is not heated, and the temperature can feel much colder. That contrast is part of the fun: the first swim is mild and gentle, while the waterfall pool delivers a sharper, more refreshing dip.

You have about 90 minutes at the site, enough for photographs, a swim in summer, and time to look at the falls from different angles. The waterfall is especially photogenic when you can stand beneath the falling water, although rocks can be slippery and uneven.

Bring sturdy water shoes with a good grip. A pair of trainers alone is not ideal for walking in the pool, while flimsy sandals are poor protection on wet stones. You may want to change shoes between the path and the water, so pack something light and easy to carry.

The amount of free time here is a possible weakness. One outing allowed only a short period at the waterfall, and if you want a long swim or an extended walk around the site, 90 minutes may feel tight. The schedule gives you variety rather than unlimited time at one location.

The waterfall also works well for people who would rather take photographs than swim. You are not forced into the water, and the scenery provides plenty to look at from shore. If swimming is your main goal, check the day’s timing with the guide so you know how much water time to expect.

What the guides add to the day

The guides are one of the strongest reasons to choose this particular outing. Ivan is often described as warm, upbeat, and good at bringing strangers together at the start. He has also helped with photographs, offered local suggestions for Valencia, and kept an eye on the group’s comfort.

Miguel is known for a lively sense of humor and a calm approach to safety. He has led groups with Paola and other assistants, and his style suits people who like conversation and plenty of energy during the drive and stops.

Kika has been praised for her friendly manner and for sharing information about Valencia and the surrounding area. Manuel has also made an impression by explaining the sites clearly and encouraging interaction within the group.

Guide quality can vary by departure, of course, but the supplied names give you a useful sense of the experience: this is designed to feel social and personal, not silent transport with a guide appearing only at the entrance.

That social side is valuable if you are traveling alone or as a couple. Introductions at the start can turn a mixed group into a pleasant temporary team. Several people have enjoyed chatting with others from different parts of the world, and the ride back may be as sociable as the stops themselves.

If you prefer complete independence, the group format may feel more managed than a rental car day. You will follow a set schedule and return to the vehicle at agreed times. The benefit is that you do not have to navigate mountain roads, find parking, or manage the route between two separate swimming areas.

Is the $107.68 price good value?

At $107.68 per person, this is not the cheapest way to find water near Valencia. The beach is closer and costs less to reach independently, and you could also rent a car if you are comfortable driving and organizing the day yourself.

The tour earns its price through convenience and variety. You get private transport, an air-conditioned vehicle, a local guide, tickets, taxes, insurance including accident coverage, and express security access. You also reach two inland sites in one day without having to work out the roads or parking.

The value is strongest if you want a simple, active day outside the city. It is also a good choice for couples, families, and solo visitors who prefer a planned outing with company. The price is less attractive if you only want a swim, since Valencia’s beach offers that with less travel.

Lunch costs extra, so include that when comparing this trip with packages that advertise food. Group discounts may improve the price for more than one person.

The tour is booked an average of 23 days in advance, which suggests that you should not leave it until the last moment during popular periods. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 9:00 am start. Poor weather or an insufficient number of bookings can also lead to a cancellation, with a different date or a full refund offered.

What to pack for a comfortable day

A few simple choices will make this outing much better.

• Closed-toe trainers for the path and short hike
• Water shoes for the thermal spring and waterfall rocks
• Swimsuit and a change of clothes
• Waterproof phone pouch or dry bag
• Towel
• Refillable water bottle
• Sun protection
• Small amount of cash or a card for lunch and drinks

Do not pack as if you are heading to a hotel spa. The swimming areas are natural, and changing facilities are basic. Keep jewelry and other valuables at home or safely stored.

The water shoes are not a minor suggestion. Several parts of the bathing areas involve stones, and wet rock near the waterfall can be slick. Good footwear lets you concentrate on the scenery instead of every step.

Who should book this Montanejos day trip?

You should book it if you want mountain scenery, two natural swimming stops, and an easy way to leave Valencia for the day. It suits active families, couples, solo visitors, and anyone who likes a guide with a sense of humor.

You should also book it if you value local conversation. Guides such as Ivan, Miguel, Kika, and Manuel make the trip feel more human than a simple transfer, and their help with photographs, belongings, and group organization adds real practical value.

Think twice if you want a serious full-day hike. The walking is short, and one section may feel harder than the word gentle suggests, but this is mainly a swimming and sightseeing day.

Think twice if you dislike crowds or fixed schedules. The springs can be busy, particularly in summer and on Sundays, and the waterfall stop has a defined time limit. For many people, that is a fair trade for air-conditioned transport and a smooth route between two remote sites.

Should you book it?

I would book this tour if your Valencia plans include one day away from the city and you like the idea of swimming in natural water rather than simply sitting on the beach. The thermal spring is the main draw, while Salto de la Novia adds a second setting and a colder, more dramatic swim.

The strongest case for booking is the combination of transport, guide support, two water stops, and a friendly group atmosphere. The main things to accept are the extra cost, basic facilities, uneven paths, and limited time at each location.

Bring proper shoes, a waterproof phone case, and realistic expectations about lunch. Do that, and this is a lively, practical day in the Valencian mountains.

FAQ

How long does the tour from Valencia last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours, including transport, the swimming stops, lunch, and the return to Valencia.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 9:00 am.

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is Av. de Suècia, 27, El Pla del Real, 46010 València, near the Mestalla area.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Valencia.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is not included, so you need to pay for your own meal. Food and drink options may be available during the lunch stop.

How warm is the Montanejos thermal spring?

The water temperature at Fuente de los Baños de Montanejos is about 25°C, or 77°F, throughout the year.

Can you swim at Salto de la Novia?

Swimming is possible there in summer. The water is not thermal, so it can feel colder than the Montanejos spring.

What should I wear for the tour?

Closed-toe trainers are recommended for the paths and short hike. Water shoes are useful for walking over stones at the swimming areas.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted.