From Valencia: Thermal Springs & Hike – Private Day Tour

The best part of this day is the contrast: first you follow the River Maimona canyon through pine woods and below huge cliffs, then you trade hiking shoes for swimwear at Montanejos’ thermal springs. I like the choice between a 9 km medium hike and a shorter 6 km route, and I like that private transport keeps the day easy from Valencia. The main catch is that 25°C water may feel only lukewarm, especially on a windy or cool day.

Guide Kevin has earned especially warm praise for clear planning, patience, and practical touches such as arranging wetsuits and water shoes. I also like the chance to eat in a village tapas restaurant rather than at a polished tourist stop, though lunch costs extra and the full outing gives you little free time for lingering.

Key points at a glance

• The La Bojera route: A 9 km circular hike follows the River Maimona through canyons, pine forests, gorges, and beneath towering cliffs.
• A shorter hiking choice: You can select a 6 km, roughly 1 hour 45 minute route instead of the medium 3 hour 15 minute walk.
• Montanejos thermal water: The springs remain around 25°C throughout the year, with swimming, shore time, a water cave, and an optional 3 metre rock jump.
• A scenic road trip: The drive from Valencia takes about 1 hour 10 minutes and passes orange groves, villages, valleys, mountains, and Sagunto Fortress.
• Private and flexible: Hotel pickup, drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, and a live English- or Spanish-speaking guide are included.
• Lunch is your choice: Stop for inexpensive local tapas in a mountain village, or eat at the springs. Lunch is not included.

From Valencia to the mountains in 70 minutes

The day begins with pickup in Valencia, so you do not need to find a bus connection or rent a car for a mountain road. Be ready five minutes before departure, then settle into the air-conditioned vehicle for the trip toward Montanejos.

The drive is part of the pleasure. You pass Mediterranean coast scenery, orange groves, small villages, valleys, and mountain roads. The route also passes below the historic fortress at Sagunto, giving you a glimpse of the region’s older defensive world before the day turns fully rural.

At about 1 hour 10 minutes from Valencia, Montanejos feels far enough away to reset your day, but not so far that the outing becomes exhausting. That travel time also makes this a practical choice if you want to see more of the Valencian Community without changing hotels.

Because this is a private group, the pace can be adjusted within the day’s limits. You can choose the longer walk if you want a proper outing, or the easier trail if you would rather save energy for the water. The guide speaks English or Spanish, and the tour is led by a native English-speaking guide when booked in English.

Walking the 9 km La Bojera trail

The main hike is the La Bojera route, a 9 km circular trail beside the River Maimona. It takes about 3 hours 15 minutes and is classed as medium difficulty.

This is not a city stroll with a few mountain views at the end. You walk through pine forest, along canyon sections, and toward broad views of rock walls and deep gorges. The appeal is the changing scenery: trees provide sections of shade, then the route opens toward steep cliffs and mountain views that invite a photo stop.

The huge vertical cliffs are the visual high point. They give the walk a sense of scale that is hard to get around Valencia itself. You are not simply looking at a distant mountain range. The route brings you close to the rock formations and the river canyon.

You are allowed to go at your own pace, which matters on a trail with both uphill effort and scenic pauses. I would not treat the 3 hour 15 minute estimate as a race time. Stop for photos, drink water, and keep enough energy for the thermal springs afterward.

The word medium deserves attention. The supplied information does not describe every surface, climb, or technical section, so you should be comfortable with several hours on foot and uneven outdoor terrain. Sneakers or trainers are recommended, and proper walking shoes make more sense than sandals.

The easier 6 km alternative

If the long route sounds too demanding, choose the 6 km option. It takes about 1 hour 45 minutes and is classed as easy.

This shorter route makes the day more balanced for people who want mountain scenery but do not want the hike to dominate the outing. It can also suit anyone who would rather spend more time resting, swimming, or exploring around the springs.

The shorter walk does mean fewer hours on the trail, so you may not get the same full circular-hike experience as on La Bojera. Still, the choice is valuable. Many day tours lock everyone into one pace. Here, you can match the walk to your fitness and your plans for the water.

Ask for the route that fits your group when arranging the tour. The choice is especially useful in hot months, when the sun can make a medium hike feel harder, and in cooler months, when you may prefer to reach the water sooner.

Montanejos springs at a steady 25°C

After the hike, the tour moves to the thermal springs of Montanejos. The water stays at about 25°C year round, and the setting is mountainous rather than spa-like. You can sunbathe on the shore, swim in the lagoon, and visit a water cave.

At 25°C, the water is not hot in the way many people imagine when they hear thermal springs. It is closer to pleasantly mild water, and your experience will depend heavily on the air temperature, wind, and sunlight.

That point matters. On a sunny summer day, 25°C may feel refreshing. On a windy winter day, it may feel lukewarm or too cool for a long swim. One February visitor found the water lukewarm on a chilly, windy day and chose not to swim. The setting still worked well because the area was quiet and the rest of the experience remained worthwhile.

Bring swimwear, but do not build the entire day around a long soak. Think of the springs as a chance to cool off, float, explore, or relax by the water. If you are lucky with weather, you may want to swim. If not, the river setting and water cave still give the stop interest.

There is also an optional jump from a 3 metre rock into the lagoon. This is for confident swimmers who are comfortable with the conditions. You do not need to jump to enjoy the springs, and the tour description does not suggest that it is required.

A more unusual feature is the hard stream of water coming from the wall. It can feel more forceful than the main spring area and provides a memorable stop even if you skip swimming.

Lunch in a village or beside the springs

Lunch is not included, but you have two basic choices. You can stop at a local village tapas restaurant, or go straight to the springs and eat there.

The village option is the better choice if you want a simple, local meal at reasonable prices. The appeal is not a formal food tour. It is the chance to order non-touristy dishes in a mountain village, away from Valencia’s busy central restaurants.

The springs option saves time and keeps the day moving. Bring snacks, as recommended, especially if you plan to hike before eating or do not want to rely on restaurant timing. Since lunch is your own expense, you can keep costs down with a modest tapas meal or pack something suitable for the day.

A practical question is how much time you want in the water. A restaurant stop adds a proper break, but it reduces time at the springs. Eating at the springs gives you more control and may be the better pick if swimming or the water cave is your priority.

Why a private vehicle adds value

The price is $153 per person. That is not the cheapest way to reach Montanejos, but the value becomes clearer when you count what is included: hotel pickup and drop-off in Valencia, a private group, an air-conditioned vehicle, and a live guide in English or Spanish.

You are paying for a full seven-hour day without having to drive, navigate mountain roads, or organize separate transport to the hike and springs. The private format also lets you choose the long or short walk instead of joining a fixed group with a single fitness level.

For one person, a couple, or a small private party, the cost may feel reasonable because transport and guiding are bundled together. Lunch is extra, and you should also bring your own snacks, water, swimwear, and sun protection.

The private setup does not turn the day into a luxury spa visit. You still need to walk, carry your own essentials, and accept that the water may not feel warm. Its value is practical: less planning, a flexible route choice, and a guide who can keep the day organized.

Guide Kevin is worth noting by name because his strengths are exactly the ones that help on this kind of outing. He has been praised for patience, clear speech, advance planning, and keeping people informed. He also arranged wetsuits and water shoes for one February outing, a useful touch when the weather made the water less inviting.

That equipment arrangement may not be guaranteed for every departure, so do not assume you can leave all water gear at home. Pack your own swimwear and ask in advance about anything you may need.

When to go and what to pack

The season changes the balance between hiking and swimming.

In hotter months, bring a sun hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water. The shorter route may make more sense if you are sensitive to heat, while the springs can provide a pleasant break after walking.

In colder months, bring a top and jacket. The water remains around 25°C, but cool air and wind can make changing or swimming uncomfortable. The February outing shows why warm layers matter even when thermal water is part of the plan.

Your basic packing list should include:

• Comfortable sneakers or trainers
• Water and snacks
• Swimwear
• Sun hat and sunscreen in hot weather
• A top and jacket in colder weather

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or wheelchair users. The hike and access around the springs require enough mobility for outdoor terrain, although no additional access details are provided.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this tour if you want one active day beyond Valencia and like mixing exercise with a relaxed outdoor stop. It suits couples, families with suitable older children, and private groups who do not want to spend the day with strangers or follow a rigid group pace.

The longer route fits you if mountain walking is a real part of your holiday. You get several hours of canyon and pine-forest scenery before reaching the water.

The shorter route is the wiser choice if the springs matter more than the hike, or if you want an easier day. It also gives you a better chance of arriving at the water with energy left for swimming, shore time, and the cave.

This is less suitable if you expect genuinely hot water, a fully catered day, or a gentle spa excursion. The springs are mild, lunch costs extra, and the main route is a proper medium hike.

The four existing ratings are all five stars, with praise focused on the guide, the scenery, careful planning, and the unusual combination of walking and thermal water. The strongest takeaway for me is not that every part will feel perfect in every season. It is that the tour still has value when the weather makes swimming less appealing, because the hike, drive, quiet setting, and private attention carry much of the day.

Should you book the Montanejos day trip?

Book it if you want a private nature day from Valencia and you are happy with a hike followed by mild-temperature water rather than a hot spa. The La Bojera route provides the main adventure, while Montanejos gives you a flexible way to rest afterward.

Choose the shorter walk if you are unsure about the medium trail or want more time beside the lagoon. Bring layers in cool weather, and do not assume that 25°C water will feel warm when the wind is up.

At $153 per person, this makes the most sense for people who value private transport, a personal guide, and the freedom to set the hiking pace. If you want the lowest possible cost or a guaranteed hot-water experience, choose something else. If you want canyons, pine woods, local food, and a memorable mountain swim stop in one well-managed day, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

How long is the tour from Valencia?

The full experience lasts about seven hours. Montanejos is around 1 hour 10 minutes from Valencia by vehicle.

Is the hike difficult?

The main 9 km circular hike is rated medium difficulty and takes around 3 hours 15 minutes. A shorter 6 km hike rated easy takes about 1 hour 45 minutes.

How warm are the Montanejos thermal springs?

The water maintains a temperature of about 25°C throughout the year. It may feel mild rather than hot, especially in cool or windy weather.

Can I swim in the springs?

Yes. You can swim in the lagoon, relax on the shore, visit a water cave, and, if you choose, jump from a 3 metre rock into the water.

Is lunch included?

No. You can eat at a local village tapas restaurant or go directly to the springs and eat there. Lunch is paid separately.

What should I bring?

Bring snacks, water, and swimwear. Wear comfortable sneakers or trainers. In hot months, bring a sun hat and sunscreen. In colder months, bring a top and jacket.