Montanejos Hiking Tour & Thermal Pools from Valencia

Montanejos is one of those day trips where you trade Valencia traffic for canyon walks, pine shade, and the kind of natural thermal pools you find in inland Spain. What makes it interesting is that the day is built around the scenery and a clear rhythm, Montanejos first, then Fuente de los Baños, with guides like Arturo, Taoufik, and Alejandro keeping the route moving and the stories coming.

I love that you do not need to research anything. A guide plans the hiking route, points you toward panoramic stops, and fills in the background, including the legend tied to the Moorish Queen’s Baths. I also love the practical side, skip-the-line pool access and included round-trip coach transport, so you spend less time figuring out logistics. One possible drawback to plan for: the pools are about 23°C all year, and they can still feel cool if the weather turns or you are not in the water long.

Key things that make this tour worth your time

• One guided route, two big payoffs: Montanejos hike first, thermal pools second
• Panoramic viewpoint stops built into the walk: Arenoso Reservoir and Sierra de Espadán views
• Thermal pools are natural, not spa-hot: think cool refreshment more than warm soaking
• Real human guides add energy: many departures are led by guides such as Arturo, Taoufik/Tofiq, Filip, Paco, and Nouha
• Flexible downtime at the pools: swim, wade, float, or just hang out for hours
• Group size is capped at 53: big enough for a lively bus ride, small enough to manage

Why Montanejos feels like a real escape, not just another day trip

From Valencia, it is easy to end up doing the same pattern: bus, quick photo, gift shop, back on the bus. This tour tries to break that spell by spending real time outdoors. You get a guided hike through mountain paths above the Mijares River, with rocky cliffs, pine forests, and Mediterranean vegetation around you. Then you land at Fuentes de los Baños, where you can cool off for about four hours.

Even if you are not chasing fitness, the route still gives you what I think most people want from a Montanejos day trip: views, walking time, and a natural place to relax after.

Price and value: what you actually get for about $59

At $59.26 per person for an about eight-hour day, the value comes from what is bundled together.

You are paying for:

• Round-trip transfers in an air-conditioned coach
• A guided hiking route in Montanejos
• Skip-the-line access to Fuentes de los Baños
• A tour guide for the whole guided portion

Food and drinks are not included, so you will want to budget for that on your own. But if you tried to piece together transport plus a guided hike plus pool admission, the price starts making more sense.

Also, the tour is booked fairly close to departure on average (about 13 days in advance). If you know you want it, book early enough that you are not stuck with the least convenient pickup time.

Pickup points in Valencia, and how the timing really works

You meet the group at one of two places. The coach picks you up on the main road and the guide arrives with a HOLA TRIP badge.

Pickup options:

1. Torres de Serranos bus stop, in front of MYR Hotel
2. Hola Trip office, C/ Ramon Llull 21, in front of a purple office

Timing detail that matters:

• At Torres de Serranos, pickup is 10 minutes before the start time.
• At the Hola Trip office, pickup is 10 minutes after the start time.

It is an important nuance because the tour duration listed as about 8 hours includes transportation time to and from Valencia. So plan your whole day around it, not around only the hike length.

Stop 1: The Montanejos hike with viewpoints, river canyons, and guide stories

The Montanejos portion runs for about four hours and is guided. This is where you get the bulk of the “why Montanejos” feeling.

What the walk is like:

• You follow your guide along mountain paths with sweeping overlooks above the Mijares River area.
• You move through pine forests and rocky cliff areas, with Mediterranean plants around you.
• You stop at several panoramic viewpoints so you can take photos and actually look, not just walk past things.

On clear days, you get big picture views over the Arenoso Reservoir and the surrounding peaks of the Sierra de Espadán Natural Park. The guide also shares practical nature and geology info, plus local legends connected to Montanejos, including the story of the Moorish Queen’s Baths, which is part of why this place is famous for healing waters.

A reality check on pace and terrain

This is described as a hike for people with moderate physical fitness. That said, a few things can affect how it feels:

• In hot weather, it can feel tougher even if there are no long steep climbs.
• The pace can be brisk in a group setting, especially when the group is large.
• Terrain includes rocky and uneven sections, so good footwear matters.

One review noted the hike sometimes passes areas with man-made structures, like power lines, because parts of the route follow access roads. It is not the whole walk, but it is worth mentally preparing for occasional “infrastructure in view.”

A bonus cave moment can happen

Some guides have led hikers through caves or cave-like spots, and one departure mentioned cliff jumping opportunities when conditions allow. You should not count on it every single time, but it does show you the guide approach can include a little extra adventure when the day permits it.

Stop 2: Fuente de los Baños, your thermal pool payoff and rest time

After the hike, you get free time at Fuente de los Baños for about four hours. This is the payoff section, and it is built for staying relaxed.

Key thing to understand: the pools are described as maintaining a constant temperature of around 23°C all year thanks to their mineral composition. That means:

• It is not the same as a hotel hot tub.
• It is more like a natural, mineral-cooled swim that can feel refreshing in heat and cool in autumn or cooler air.

This matters because several people mentioned the water felt colder than expected. Even if it is 23°C on paper, your body temperature and the air temperature make the experience feel different. If you like a chilly plunge, you will be happy. If you want warm soak comfort, you may feel disappointed.

What you can do in the pools

At Fuente de los Baños, the time is yours:

• Swim or float in the clear waters
• Sit by the rocks and soak your feet
• Lie along the shore and just watch the cliffs and greenery around you
• Walk briefly along the riverside if you want a stretch
• If you bring a picnic, this is a natural setting to use

Conditions can change. One person described cloudy pool water that led to a stop at a clearer spot, and another described fish in the water. So do not assume the water will look identical to every photo you have seen.

A small but important practical tip: toilet paper

Bring toilet paper. One review mentioned the first bathroom stop had no toilet paper. You do not need to make this dramatic, but having a small pack in your bag will save you stress.

Guides: what you get beyond directions

The guide is not just there to count heads. Many departures are led by guides who mix humor, local knowledge, and practical pacing.

Names that show up in this experience include:

• Arturo (enthusiastic and funny, with stories and extra cave-style exploring)
• Taoufik/Tofiq (knowledgeable and comedic)
• Filip (helpful, sometimes leading to waterfall cave and cliff-jumping moments)
• Paco and Nouha (positive and rewarding, especially for the swim)
• Alejandro and JF (energetic and informative)

What I like about this style is simple: you come for the nature, but you leave remembering details. The legends, the geology explanations, and the reason the water is special all help you connect to the place instead of just ticking boxes.

What to pack so the day feels smooth

Because you hike first and swim second, packing is about comfort, not fancy gear.

I suggest you bring:

• Hiking shoes with grip, since you are walking on uneven ground
• Sunscreen, and ideally a hat, because the route can be hot
• Water for the hike, plus a way to carry it
• A light layer for the coach, since some people found the air-conditioning strong
• A towel or something to dry off after the swim
• Swimsuit plus a dry change of clothes for later
• Toilet paper, given the on-site bathroom detail
• Toilet and shower basics vary, so keep your expectations simple

For clothing, think “hike first, swim second.” One person also recommended a hoodie for the bus ride, which is a good sign you may want a warmer layer even in decent weather.

Group size and the feel of the day: lively, sometimes busy

The tour maximum is 53 travelers. That means:

• You will likely be in a bigger group environment on at least part of the day.
• The pools can get busy, especially in higher season.

That is one of the few friction points. Some people loved the day’s flow, while a couple of hikers felt the group size and pace left little room to stop and take photos slowly. If you are an experienced hiker who likes long pauses and wandering, you may want to consider a smaller-group alternative if one exists through the same operator.

If you want a well-run day with a guide, you will probably find the structure helpful.

Is the hike really moderate, and who should choose this tour?

The tour is not allowed for people with mobility impairments, and it is not for kids under 14 or adults over 65. It is geared toward travelers with moderate physical fitness.

This tour tends to suit you if:

• You want a guided outdoor day without planning a route
• You are okay with a steady pace on a rocky, uneven hike
• You want a long thermal pool break afterward, not just a quick dip
• You like local stories mixed into nature time

It may not suit you if:

• You want guaranteed warm water soaking
• You want very slow, photo-first hiking with lots of downtime on the trail
• You need full accessibility support during the hike

Final verdict: should you book this Montanejos hike and thermal pools day?

I would book it if your goal is an easy-to-follow adventure outside Valencia where the logistics are handled for you: coach transport, guided hike, and pool access with a big chunk of relaxation time. The strongest appeal is the pairing. You hike into views, then you cool down in natural mineral pools for hours.

I would hesitate if you are expecting spa-hot thermal water. The pools are around 23°C year-round, and in real world conditions, it can still feel cold or only mildly warm. I would also think twice if you need a small-group pace.

If you show up prepared with good shoes, sun protection, and a practical swim plan, this can be a standout inland day trip from Valencia.