Montanejos Thermal Springs and Waterfall, food included

The best part of this day trip is the change of pace: you leave Valencia’s streets behind and spend the day swimming in clear mountain water, visiting the Girlfriend waterfall, and looking down on the Arenós Reservoir. The Montanejos pool stays around 25°C year-round, though some swimmers find it cooler than expected once they move below the surface.

I like the small-group feel and the guides’ personal touch. Miguel, Borja, and Paula are praised for keeping the day lively, explaining the countryside, helping with photos, and looking after people in the water. I also like the variety: this is not just a swim stop, but a waterfall visit, a meal, and a reservoir walk in one outing.

The main thing to consider is the long day in a van, with roughly three hours of driving spread across the route. Summer crowds can also make the springs busy, and the short hiking route may be canceled during hot, dry periods because of forest-fire risk.

Key points at a glance

• A 25°C natural swimming area: The Montanejos thermal pool is warm enough for a comfortable swim in every season, though it may feel less hot than the word thermal suggests.
• Two separate water stops: The Girlfriend waterfall is visited first, then you travel onward to the Montanejos springs.
• A genuinely friendly guide style: Miguel, Borja, and Paula are known for jokes, local facts, photos, and careful attention to the group.
• Lunch is included from April through October: The stated meal is one sandwich or tapa, a soft drink or beer, and coffee.
• A 30-minute walk with a weather caveat: You get views around the springs and Arenós Reservoir, but the route may be dropped in summer heat.
• Good for a city break: You trade museums and old streets for swimming, mountain scenery, and a relaxed day outdoors.

Leaving Valencia for Montanejos

The meeting point is beside Mestalla football stadium on the side facing Aragón Avenue, at gate A3. Look for a guide wearing a Batwalking shirt. The trip returns to the same point at Av. d’Aragó, 31, so the start and finish are simple to manage from central Valencia.

Transport is by air-conditioned bus or van, with private transport from Valencia. The route includes about 45 minutes to the first waterfall, another 45 minutes to the springs, and about an hour and a half back to the city after the final stop. That is a fair amount of road time, but it is what makes a full day in the mountains possible without renting a car.

The small-group format matters here. A van is easier for a guide to manage than a large coach, and the day can feel more social without becoming a crowd. Borja has been praised for arriving early, sharing facts about places along the road, stopping at local shops for provisions, and helping the group exchange photos through WhatsApp. Miguel is often singled out for his humor and energy.

The exact guide varies. You may get Miguel, Borja, Paula, or another member of the Batwalking & Tourswalking team. The stated languages are English, Spanish, and German.

The Girlfriend waterfall comes first

The first proper stop is Salto de la Novia, commonly presented here as the Girlfriend waterfall. It is not beside the Montanejos thermal springs, so the separate visit is worth understanding before you book. You do not simply walk from one water stop to the other.

You have about an hour for a guided visit and walk. During summer, this is a chance to swim in a refreshing waterfall pool before the warmer Montanejos water later in the day. The setting is described as tranquil and beautiful, and the guide can help you make the most of the stop without wasting time finding the right places to walk or photograph.

This first swim also gives the day a nice rhythm. You start with a cooler, scenic water stop, then continue to the thermal pool for a longer rest. If you prefer sightseeing without getting wet, you can still enjoy the waterfall and its surroundings, but swimwear and a towel are sensible because the summer plan is built around the water.

The timing can affect the feel of this stop. Arriving early may mean a quieter visit, while a Sunday in mid-summer can bring more people. You should expect a natural site, not a private pool. Wear shoes with a good grip for the walk, and consider water shoes for the rocky areas.

The 25°C Montanejos springs

After another 45-minute ride, you reach Aigües Termals de Montanejos. This is the main event, with about two hours set aside for swimming. The water temperature in the swimming area is listed at 25°C, or 77°F, throughout the year.

That figure is useful, but set your expectations correctly. This is pleasantly mild water, not a steaming spa bath. Several people find it cooler than they expected, especially below the top few centimeters or after getting used to the initial temperature. On a hot summer day, though, that can be a benefit rather than a problem.

The pool is framed by a dramatic gorge and clear water. You can swim, float, take photographs, or simply sit at the edge and enjoy the rock walls. The water area is suitable for all ages according to the activity information, but the tour is not suitable for people with heart problems, babies under one year, or wheelchair users.

Bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes. Water shoes are a smart extra, since the riverbed has many pebbles. One person specifically found beach shoes useful for getting around more comfortably. Buoyancy aids may also be available from the guide, which can help if you are not fully confident in unfamiliar water.

Your belongings deserve some thought. Guides have helped people watch bags while the group swims, but you should still keep valuables to a minimum. The supplied information does not promise lockers or secure storage, so avoid bringing anything you would worry about leaving in the vehicle or near the water.

Summer is likely to be the busiest period. The springs can feel crowded, especially on a Sunday. The setting remains attractive, but you may need to swim farther around the pool to find a quieter patch. If your priority is peace and space, ask about weekday availability and consider booking outside the busiest summer dates.

A simple lunch after the swim

Lunch follows the swimming period and takes about an hour. From April through October, the stated inclusion is one sandwich or tapa, a soft drink or beer, and coffee. Water is also included in the tour.

This is a modest meal, not a long Spanish food tour. It works well because you can eat without arranging a separate restaurant stop in an unfamiliar rural area. Guides have reserved tables for the group, which removes a little of the usual post-swim confusion and lets you sit down soon after changing.

The precise setting and menu may vary, so do not book this expecting a large meal or a choice-heavy dining experience. If you have a big appetite, dietary needs, or want more than the listed sandwich or tapa, carry suitable provisions for the day. Food and drinks are not allowed in the vehicle, so plan to eat them at the proper stop.

There is also an important seasonal detail. Lunch is listed as included from April to October. If you book outside those months, check the current terms carefully rather than assuming the same meal is part of the price.

Arenós Reservoir and the short walk

After lunch, the route turns to the area around the springs and the Arenós Reservoir. The itinerary allows about an hour for a photo stop and visit, including a walk of roughly 30 minutes with views.

This part gives the day some balance. After swimming and eating, you get a chance to stretch your legs and see the wider setting from above or along the route. The guide adds context about the area, and the reservoir provides a final scenic stop before the return journey.

The walk is described as moderate and short rather than a serious hike. You should still wear comfortable shoes, especially if the ground is uneven. The activity’s packing advice specifically calls for comfortable footwear and clothing, and that advice matters more here than at the swimming pool.

Do not treat the walk as guaranteed in peak summer. Because of heat-stroke and forest-fire risk, the hiking route may be canceled, with extra time spent in the water instead. That is a sensible safety decision, but it means the day changes depending on weather and season. If the walk is the main reason you are booking, confirm the plan before you go.

What makes the guide important

The places are attractive on their own, but the guide can shape the whole day. The strongest part of this tour is the human side: guides such as Miguel and Borja keep conversation going during the drives, explain points of interest, and make a small group feel comfortable.

Miguel is repeatedly described as funny, welcoming, and attentive to safety. His Spanish music, jokes, and easy way of helping people meet one another can be a real plus if you are traveling alone or as a couple. Paula is also praised for helping create a safe and enjoyable outing.

Borja has been credited with taking photographs with people’s own cameras and helping the group share pictures afterward. That is a small service, but it is useful when you are swimming and do not want to risk your phone. Guides have also helped with practical matters such as finding food, reserving tables, and assisting someone who felt unwell.

This is a friendly tour, not a quiet private excursion. The social tone will suit you if you enjoy conversation and a bit of humor. If you prefer to spend the entire day alone with your own group, the shared small-vehicle format may feel more involved than you want.

Is $108 a fair price?

At $108 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Montanejos. You are paying for private transport from Valencia, an air-conditioned vehicle, a live guide, taxes, insurance, water, and the convenience of combining several stops in one day. Lunch is included from April through October, in the limited form described above.

The value improves if you do not have a car. Montanejos requires more planning than a standard city attraction, and this tour handles the driving, route, timing, and return to Valencia. You also get a guide who can explain the area and help with small practical details that are easy to overlook when visiting independently.

The value is less clear if you already have a car and want to spend most of the day at one swimming spot. In that case, you may prefer the freedom to arrive early, stay longer, and choose your own food. You also need to accept the tour’s fixed schedule: about an hour at the waterfall, two hours at the springs, an hour for lunch, and an hour around the reservoir.

The strongest case for the price is the combination of transport, guiding, and variety. You are not paying only for access to water. You are buying a straightforward way to see three distinct parts of the Montanejos area without handling the road yourself.

Who will enjoy this day trip

I would recommend it to you if you want a break from Valencia’s museums, architecture, and cafés. It suits couples, friends, solo visitors, and families with older children who can manage a swimming stop and a short walk.

You should be comfortable getting in and out of a van, walking on uneven ground, and spending a full day outdoors. People with heart problems should not book, and the experience is not suitable for wheelchair users or babies under one year.

Pack:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen
• Comfortable clothes
• Sturdy walking shoes
• Water shoes for the pebbly riverbed
• Minimal valuables
• Any extra snack or food you need outside the included lunch

Smoking, food, drinks, and alcohol are not permitted in the vehicle. Pets, fireworks, explosives, and drugs are also prohibited. Those rules are basic, but they matter on a long shared drive.

The tour requires at least two people to operate. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which is useful when your Valencia plans are still shifting.

Should you book the Montanejos thermal springs tour?

Book this if you want an easy, social day in nature and like the idea of combining a waterfall swim, warm spring, lunch, and reservoir views. The guides are a major reason to choose this particular outing, especially if you value good humor, local stories, help with photos, and careful attention to the group.

Think twice if you want a hot spa experience, complete solitude, or a demanding mountain hike. The springs are warm rather than hot, summer can be crowded, and the walk may disappear in hot or fire-risk conditions.

For most visitors without a car, I think the $108 price is reasonable because it turns a complicated day outside Valencia into a well-managed one. Bring water shoes, do not expect boiling water, and confirm the lunch details for your travel month. With those expectations in place, this is a strong choice for seeing a very different side of the Valencian Community.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet in Valencia?

You meet beside Mestalla football stadium on the Aragón Avenue side, at gate A3. The guide wears a Batwalking shirt.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point on Aragón Avenue, at Av. d’Aragó, 31.

How warm is the Montanejos thermal water?

The swimming area is listed at 25°C, or 77°F, throughout the year. It is mild and pleasant, but it may not feel hot, and some people find the water cooler below the surface.

Is lunch included?

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

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes. Water shoes are also useful because the thermal spring has a pebbly riverbed.

Is the hiking route always available?

No. In summer, the route may be canceled because of heat-stroke and forest-fire risk. Extra time may then be spent in the water.

Which languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English, Spanish, and German.