Valencia: Waterfalls and Thermal Springs Tour with Swimming

A 60-meter waterfall, warm spring water, steep river canyons, and a massive dam make this one of Valencia’s best full-day escapes. The main prize is Montanejos’ Blue Lagoon, where the water stays around 25°C year-round, but the day works because you see four very different natural sights without a hard hike between them.

I like the small-group feel and the practical touches. Water shoes are included, guides take photos, and Mike’s Nomad Soul Retreat provides changing rooms, bathrooms, and a safe place for your bag. The only real drawback is the price, $101 per person, plus lunch and drinks. It is fair value if you do not have a car and want several stops handled in one day, but it is not a bargain outing.

I also like the relaxed pace. Guides such as Mike, Anna, Morgane, Siobhan, Thomas, and Sofia have led this trip, and the strongest part of the experience is the friendly, personal approach. You should still expect a full day on the road, with roughly 45 minutes to the first stop and another 40 minutes before the spring area.

Key points before you book

• Swim in 25°C thermal water: Montanejos’ Blue Lagoon is the centerpiece, with water warm enough for swimming throughout the year.
• Stand beneath a 60-meter waterfall: The Bridal Veil is a dramatic first stop, with mist, cliffs, and possible mountain-goat sightings.
• Use a private riverside base: Nomad Soul Retreat offers changing rooms, bathrooms, storage, and a place to dry off.
• Visit four different natural sights: The route includes the waterfall, thermal springs, Mijares River canyons, and Montanejos dam.
• Skip the long hike: The minibus parks close to the main stops, making the day suitable for a wide range of fitness levels.
• Bring only the basics: Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, water, and comfortable shoes. Water shoes are supplied.

Why Montanejos makes a strong day trip from Valencia

Valencia is easy to enjoy on foot, but its best mountain scenery lies beyond the city. Montanejos sits in the Valencian Community, in an area shaped by the Mijares River and known for its cliffs, pools, waterfalls, and thermal water.

Getting there by public transport can be awkward, especially if you want to combine several stops. This tour solves that problem with an air-conditioned minibus from Estació del Nord, Valencia’s central railway station. You meet outside the main entrance on Calle Xàtiva, near the large clock on the station tower. Construction may affect the exact pickup spot, so check the meeting instructions on the day.

The tour leaves at about 9:30 AM and returns around 5:30 PM. That gives you a full eight hours away from the city, but not eight hours of strenuous activity. The appeal is simple: you spend less time working out how to reach Montanejos and more time in the water or at the viewpoints.

The Bridal Veil waterfall starts the day with drama

The first major stop is the Bridal Veil, a 60-meter waterfall reached after about 45 minutes by minibus. It is a smart opening stop because the sight is dramatic even if you do not feel like swimming yet.

You can admire the falling water, feel the spray, and, if conditions allow, stand beneath it for a shower. The guides may also point out mountain goats along the ridge. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but the steep rock and open views give this stop a sense of being far from Valencia.

The waterfall is called a secret stop in the schedule, but you should not expect total solitude. This is a popular natural attraction, and conditions can change with weather and water flow. Still, the stop offers a quick reward without demanding a long walk.

Bring shoes with a good grip. The tour is designed to limit walking, but wet ground near a waterfall can still be slippery. If you are nervous about standing under the falling water, you can enjoy the mist and views from a safer position.

The Blue Lagoon is the heart of the excursion

After the waterfall, the minibus continues toward Montanejos and the thermal springs. The drive takes about 40 minutes, with an additional short vehicle transfer listed in the route. Once you arrive, the setting changes from waterfall spray to clear spring water enclosed by rocky walls.

The Blue Lagoon is famous here because its water remains close to 25°C throughout the year. That does not mean it feels like a hot bath. Several people find the water refreshing rather than hot, especially outside the warmest months. The real advantage is that it is more comfortable for a proper swim than a cold mountain pool.

You will have time to swim, float, take photos, and enjoy the setting. The spring area is not only for strong swimmers, but you should be honest about your ability. One guide carried extra equipment for people who felt unsure in the water, and the team is used to helping participants feel more secure. Still, the water activity is the main event, so anyone who cannot swim should tell the guide before entering.

The guides also make this part easier by taking photos and videos. That matters more than it sounds. Wet phones and slippery rocks are a poor combination, and you can enjoy the water without worrying about protecting your camera.

Nomad Soul Retreat adds useful comfort

A short distance from the springs is Mike’s Nomad Soul Retreat, set among olive trees. This private base is one of the tour’s most useful extras, not just a decorative stop.

You can change clothes, use clean bathrooms, leave your belongings in a safer place, and sit in a sunny area after swimming. If you are spending a whole day outdoors, those simple facilities make a difference. They also mean you do not have to carry every dry item down to the water.

The retreat gives the group a place to regroup before lunch. It helps the day feel less rushed, especially if you want to dry off and change after the swim. Do not expect a full visitor center or a luxury resort. Think of it as a friendly private base with the facilities needed for a wet outdoor day.

Lunch is flexible, but not included

Food and drinks are not part of the $101 price. The guide can point you toward the snack bar near the Blue Lagoon, local options in Montanejos, or a restaurant in the village.

You can also bring your own food. Some groups stop at a local restaurant, with one meal described as good value and authentic village fare. The exact lunch arrangement may vary, so do not book this expecting a fixed menu or a prepaid meal.

I see the flexible approach as a plus for some people and a drawback for others. You can spend less by bringing food, or choose a proper meal in Montanejos. But you should budget for lunch separately and carry water for the day.

The Mijares River canyons provide the best photo stop

After lunch, the route turns toward the Mijares River canyons. This is a short photo stop of about 15 minutes, but it gives you a different view of the area.

The river has cut through steep rock, creating narrow canyon walls and dramatic viewpoints. You will not spend hours walking along the gorge. Instead, the minibus brings you close, and the guide helps you find good places for photos.

This stop suits anyone who wants scenery without a demanding trail. It also breaks up the swimming and gives you a chance to see the wider setting around Montanejos. The time is short, so if you prefer slow nature walks, you may wish the stop lasted longer.

Montanejos dam shows a different side of the valley

The final sight is the Montanejos dam and its reservoir. After waterfalls and natural pools, the dam adds a strong human element to the day. The concrete structure, stored water, and surrounding cliffs show how people have worked with the river’s power.

The stop is mainly for views and photos. It is not an engineering tour, and there is no long hike around the reservoir. The contrast is what makes it worthwhile: you see wild water at the waterfall and springs, then a large structure controlling that same force.

The route may also include a powerful blast of water from a large outlet or spout. When the flow is active, it creates an impressive display and gives the final stop some energy after the quieter canyon viewpoint.

What the transport and group size mean for you

The minibus is air-conditioned and takes you close to each main stop. That is the biggest practical advantage of this tour. You get mountain scenery without renting a car, navigating rural roads, or piecing together buses.

The group is generally small, with one recent outing described as about a dozen people. Group size can change, but the format is more personal than a large coach trip. Guides encourage people to talk, help with photos, and keep an eye on the group around the water.

The vehicle time is still part of the day. You have the first 45-minute ride, another 40-minute transfer, and shorter drives between stops. The scenery along the way helps, and music may be played in the minibus, but this is not the right choice if you want a quick trip with little time on the road.

Guides make the difference

Mike is the face of the experience, and he has spent about 15 years exploring the area. He may lead your day, or you may go with a member of his team.

The guide roster has included Anna, Morgane, Siobhan, Thomas, and Sofia. Their styles differ, but the tour depends on guides who can handle water activities, keep the day moving, explain the area, and make a mixed group comfortable. English is available, with French and Spanish offered as well. Dutch may be available on request.

The personal approach is especially useful for solo visitors. The guide helps break the ice, takes group photos, and can offer moral support if you are making your first jump or entering the water with some nerves.

Do not expect a formal lecture at every stop. The experience is more social and active than academic. You get useful information, local context, and help with the practical details, but the focus stays on enjoying the outdoors.

Is $101 good value?

At $101, this is not the cheapest way to see Montanejos. You also pay for your own lunch and drinks. If you already have a car and plan to visit only the springs, a self-guided day could cost less.

The value improves when you count what is included: transport from central Valencia, an air-conditioned vehicle, a guide, entry fees, water shoes, access to the private retreat, and photos. You also get four stops in one organized day rather than arranging separate transport.

I would consider the price reasonable for a visitor without a car, especially if you want to swim and see the waterfall, canyons, and dam in the same outing. It is less compelling for someone who prefers total independence, long hikes, or a very slow day at one site.

Who should book this Montanejos tour?

This trip suits you if you want nature without a strenuous hike. The paths are described as manageable, and the vehicle parks close to the main sights. One person with serious knee problems completed the day comfortably, though you should still tell the guide about any mobility concerns.

It is also a good match for couples, friends, families with older children, and solo visitors. A 13-year-old joined one group, and the social format helps solo participants connect with others.

You should think twice if you dislike swimming, are uncomfortable around deep natural water, or want a quiet private outing. The schedule is active, and the tour runs rain or shine. It has only canceled a handful of times over 15 years, so pack for changing conditions and do not assume perfect weather.

Pack a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, drinking water, comfortable clothes, and sturdy shoes. The operator supplies water shoes, but your own comfortable footwear is still useful for the dry parts of the day.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want an easy, social way to reach Montanejos and see several sights in one day. The thermal swim, waterfall, canyon views, and dam give you a lot for the time, while the small group and private changing area solve common outdoor-day problems.

Skip it if you have a car, want to set your own schedule, or would rather spend the whole day at the springs. For everyone else, $101 is a fair price for a well-packed escape from Valencia, particularly when you value convenience, photos, and a guide who can help you enjoy the water with confidence.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet in Valencia?

The group meets outside the main entrance of Estació del Nord on Calle Xàtiva, near the large clock on the station tower. Construction may mean pickup takes place just outside the gated area.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts about eight hours. It starts at approximately 9:30 AM and returns to Estació del Nord around 5:30 PM, with starting times confirmed when you check availability.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. Your guide can suggest the Blue Lagoon snack bar, places in Montanejos, or a local restaurant. You may also bring your own food.

Is swimming required?

Swimming is a central part of the experience, but you do not have to enter the water if you prefer not to. Tell your guide if you are not a confident swimmer or need help near the springs.

What is the temperature of the thermal springs?

The Blue Lagoon water is about 25°C year-round. It may feel refreshing rather than hot, especially outside the warmest part of the summer.

Are water shoes provided?

Yes. Water shoes are included in the tour price. You should still bring comfortable shoes for the dry sections and travel between stops.

What languages are available?

The tour is offered in English, French, and Spanish. Dutch may be available on request. The guide may be Mike or another member of the GoValencia team.