From Valencia: Thermal Springs & Hike – Private Day Tour

The best part of this day is the contrast: a rugged canyon walk in the morning, followed by a swim in Montanejos’ natural springs. Within about 1 hour and 10 minutes of Valencia, you trade city streets for pine forests, cliffs, orange groves, and mountain villages.

I like the private format and the choice of two hikes. I also like that lunch is optional, so you can eat at a village tapas restaurant or save your time and food for the springs. The main caution is the water temperature: 25°C is mild, not hot, and cold wind can make it feel much cooler.

Key points to know before you book

• The long route is a 9 km circular hike through La Bojera Canyon, with pine forest, river views, gorges, and large vertical cliffs.
• A shorter 6 km route is available, taking about 1 hour and 45 minutes instead of roughly 3 hours and 15 minutes.
• Montanejos’ water stays around 25°C, pleasant for swimming on a warm day but not a steaming spa pool.
• The tour is private, so you can walk at your own pace and choose the shorter trail, lunch, or more time by the springs.
• The drive is part of the experience, passing the Mediterranean coast, orange groves, villages, valleys, mountains, and Sagunto Fortress.
• Guide Kevin has provided wetsuits and water shoes for guests on colder days, though you should not assume this is guaranteed for every departure.

From Valencia to the Maimona River Canyon

Your day begins with hotel pickup in Valencia. The drive to Montanejos takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes, and the route helps explain why this trip works so well as a city escape.

You pass Mediterranean scenery, orange groves, small villages, valleys, and mountain roads. You also travel below the historic fortress of Sagunto, adding a little culture to what is mainly an outdoor day. The drive is not dead time. It gives you a quick look at the changing Valencian countryside before the walking begins.

Because the vehicle is private and air-conditioned, the ride is easier than arranging separate buses or driving yourself. You also have a guide who can keep the day moving and adjust the plan around your group. The tour is offered in English or Spanish, and the guide is a native English speaker when you book the English option.

The total tour lasts about seven hours. That makes it manageable as a day trip from Valencia, but it also means the schedule is fairly full. You are combining a scenic drive, a hike, time at the springs, and possibly lunch. If you want a long restaurant meal and an unhurried swim, you may need to choose the shorter hike or keep lunch simple.

Walking La Bojera’s 9 km circular route

The main walk is the Route of La Bojera, a 9 km circular trail that follows the Maimona River and cuts through its impressive canyon. It takes around 3 hours and 15 minutes, though the private setup lets you move at your own pace rather than being tied to a large group.

This is a medium-difficulty walk. You should be comfortable walking for several hours on uneven mountain paths, with suitable trainers or hiking shoes. The route passes through pine forests and opens onto views of mountains, gorges, and tall cliffs. The scenery is the reward, but you will need to put in some effort to reach it.

I like that the route offers more than a simple riverside stroll. The canyon gives the walk a sense of scale, while the forest sections provide shade and a change of pace. You can stop for photographs at viewpoints, and a private guide can help you decide how long to spend at each one.

The long hike is best for people who enjoy walking as a main part of their day. It is not the right choice if you want only a gentle outing before swimming. The tour does offer an easier 6 km option, which takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes. That shorter route is rated easy and may be the better fit for mixed-ability groups or anyone who wants more time at the water.

A practical point: bring your own snacks and water. The tour includes transport, guiding, and the vehicle, but not food. You should also wear shoes with a firm sole. Trainers are specifically recommended, and ordinary city footwear may be uncomfortable on the mountain trail.

The cliffs, pine forests, and photo stops

The route’s strongest feature is its variety. You walk through pine forest, then reach open views of steep mountain walls and narrow gorges. The large vertical cliffs are the sort of sight that makes you stop for a photograph, even if you usually prefer to keep walking.

The river Maimona gives the route a natural thread. You are not simply crossing a dry mountain path and returning to the vehicle. The river and canyon help shape the walk, while the pine trees offer a cooler setting in hot months.

I would bring a small day bag with water, snacks, swimwear, sunscreen, and a hat. The tour information also recommends a top and jacket in colder months. That advice matters because the weather can change between the exposed trail, the vehicle, and the springs.

The reviews point to an important seasonal detail. On a cold, windy day, the spring water may feel only lukewarm, even at its year-round temperature of about 25°C. One February visit had almost no other people around, which is a pleasant trade for the chill, but the water was not inviting enough for a long swim.

Montanejos springs at a steady 25°C

After the hike, you head to the thermal springs of Montanejos for around two hours of swimming and relaxation. The springs are known for their medicinal waters and their striking mountain setting. You can sunbathe along the shore, swim in the lagoon, visit a water cave, or, if you are comfortable with it, jump from a 3 metre rock.

The water temperature stays at about 25°C throughout the year. That is warmer than many natural rivers, but it is not the same as a hot spring or a heated spa. In warm weather, the temperature should feel refreshing and comfortable. In winter, especially with wind or cloud, you may decide that sitting beside the water is more appealing than swimming.

This is where the trip becomes flexible. You can take a swim, explore the cave, relax on shore, or simply enjoy the mountain setting after the walk. The rock jump is optional, and you should treat it as an extra for confident swimmers rather than a required part of the visit.

A useful detail from a colder departure is that guide Kevin supplied wetsuits and water shoes. That made the water more approachable on a chilly day. Still, equipment availability may depend on the departure, so bring your own swimwear and ask about any included gear when booking.

The springs are not a polished resort complex. Their appeal comes from being outdoors, in a mountain setting, with the water and rock surroundings doing most of the work. If you want spa treatments, hot pools, or indoor facilities, this is not that kind of experience.

Choosing lunch in a local village

Lunch is not included, and you have two main choices. You can stop at a local village tapas restaurant for reasonably priced, non-touristy dishes, or go straight to the springs and eat there.

The village option gives the day a more local feel and breaks up the outdoor activities. It also costs extra and takes time from the springs. If you choose the full 9 km walk, you may prefer a proper meal before changing into swimwear.

The second option is simpler. Bring snacks, then head directly to the water and eat there. This leaves you with more time for swimming or relaxing, though it is less of a sit-down local food experience.

Because the group is private, you can discuss the choice with your guide rather than following a fixed restaurant stop. That flexibility is one of the better reasons to book this as a private excursion rather than a large coach tour.

What the private format adds

At $153 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Montanejos. The value comes from what is bundled into the price: hotel pickup and drop-off in Valencia, a private air-conditioned vehicle, a live English or Spanish-speaking guide, and a full day combining two different activities.

The private format matters most if your group has different fitness levels. One person can choose the longer medium hike, while another may prefer the easier 6 km route. You can also set the pace, spend longer at a viewpoint, skip the rock jump, or choose village lunch without worrying about a full busload of people.

A private vehicle also removes the hassle of finding your way to a remote mountain area. The drive through the coast and inland scenery becomes part of the outing, rather than a series of connections.

The price makes less sense if you only want to sit by the springs. In that case, you would be paying for a guided hike and private transport that you may not use fully. It makes more sense for active visitors who want a complete day outside Valencia and appreciate door-to-door transport.

The booking terms are useful for uncertain plans. You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure. Be ready at the pickup point five minutes before the agreed time.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want an active break from Valencia and like having choices built into the day. It suits couples, families with older children, friends, and small private groups who would rather not join a fixed large-group excursion.

The long walk fits reasonably active people who are comfortable with a 9 km mountain route. The shorter trail opens the experience to people who want less exertion, though the tour still involves walking outdoors and is not designed as a wheelchair-accessible outing.

You should reconsider it if you are pregnant, have back problems, or use a wheelchair, as the activity is not suitable for those conditions. You should also think carefully about the season. Summer heat calls for a hat, sunscreen, water, and sensible pacing. Winter gives you quieter conditions but can make the water feel too cool for swimming.

The day is less suited to anyone seeking a luxury spa. The springs are natural, the hike is real exercise, and the water is warm rather than hot. Its charm is the combination of mountain scenery, movement, and a simple outdoor swim.

Small details that make the day easier

Bring water and snacks even if you plan to eat in a village. The tour specifically asks you to arrive prepared, and a long walk is more comfortable when you are not waiting for lunch.

Pack swimwear in an easy-to-reach part of your bag. You will not want to unpack everything after the hike. A lightweight towel may also be useful, although it is not listed as an included item.

Wear trainers or other comfortable footwear. For hot months, add a sun hat and sunscreen. For cooler months, bring a top and jacket because the mountain air and water can feel cooler than Valencia.

Do not judge the springs only by the word thermal. At 25°C, the water is mild. On a sunny day it can be very pleasant, while on a windy February day you may prefer the shore, the cave, or a short swim.

The tour has a strong overall rating, with four five-star ratings. The praise focuses on the guide’s care, the scenery, the smooth pickup, and the unusual mix of hiking and springs. One guest particularly appreciated Kevin’s patience and clear communication, while another enjoyed sleeping in the car on the return journey after the long hike. That last detail tells you something useful: this is a proper active day, not a lazy half-day outing.

Should you book the Montanejos day trip?

Book it if you want a private outdoor escape from Valencia with a genuine choice between a medium hike and an easy one. The canyon, pine forest, mountain drive, and natural springs create a full day with more variety than a simple sightseeing trip.

Choose the shorter walk if swimming is your priority, or the long route if the hike is the main reason you are going. Plan lunch in advance, bring warm layers outside summer, and remember that 25°C water may feel cool in wind or cold weather.

Skip it if you want a hot spa, a fully included meal, or a low-effort outing. For active visitors who value private transport, a flexible pace, and a guide who can handle the day’s details, the $153 price is reasonable.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about seven hours, including pickup in Valencia, the drive, the hike, time at the springs, and the return to Valencia.

How far is Montanejos from Valencia?

The drive takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes from Valencia.

What hikes can I choose from?

You can choose the 9 km circular La Bojera route, which takes around 3 hours and 15 minutes and is rated medium difficulty. A shorter 6 km route takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes and is rated easy.

What can I do at the thermal springs?

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

How warm are the thermal springs?

The springs maintain a temperature of about 25°C all year.

Is lunch included?

No. You can choose to eat at a local village tapas restaurant or go directly to the springs and eat there. Snacks and water are recommended.

Is the tour private?

Yes. The tour is operated for a private group, with a private vehicle and a live guide.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable trainers, water, snacks, swimwear, a sun hat and sunscreen in hot months, and a top and jacket in colder months.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or wheelchair users. The longer hike is medium difficulty, while the shorter hike is easy.