Montanejos thermal pools day trip from Valencia: the natural hot springs
Valencia: waterfalls and thermal springs tour with swimming
How do I visit the Montanejos thermal pools from Valencia?
Montanejos is 100 km north-west of Valencia, about 1 hour 20 minutes by car. There is no direct public transport. The Fuente de los Baños — a stretch of the Mijares river fed by 25°C thermal springs — is the main draw. Free access. Best visited mid-week outside July–August to avoid crowds.
Montanejos is a small mountain village in the Castellón province, 100 km north-west of Valencia, built at the point where the Mijares river cuts through a narrow gorge and emerges into a valley fed by thermal springs. The Fuente de los Baños — where hot spring water at 25°C rises into the river — creates a stretch of year-round swimmable water in a setting of rock walls, clear pools, and pine-scented hillsides. It is one of the few natural swimming destinations accessible as a day trip from Valencia, and genuinely unlike anything on the coast.
The thermal pools are free. The village is small and honest. The main challenge is getting there without a car, which is why it remains less visited than it deserves.
Getting to Montanejos from Valencia
By car — essentially required
Take the A-23 motorway (Valencia–Sagunto–Teruel direction) northwest from Valencia, exit at Segorbe, then continue northwest on the CS-220 (or CS-800 via Jérica) to Montanejos. Total distance approximately 100 km, journey time 1 hour 15–30 minutes. The final approach is winding mountain road but perfectly manageable.
In Montanejos village: parking in the main car park (signposted from the entrance to the village) is free and ample on weekdays, crowded on summer weekends. From the car park, the Fuente de los Baños is a 10–15 minute walk downstream along the river path.
By public transport — difficult
A bus (línea de Castellón) connects Valencia’s bus station to Montanejos, with departures on weekdays roughly 3–4 times per day. Journey time approximately 2 hours. Return services are limited — check times carefully. This is a possibility but timing constraints mean you may have only 3–4 hours in the village.
By organised tour from Valencia
Some Valencia-based outdoor operators run full-day tours to Montanejos, combining the thermal pools with the gorge walk (Garganta de Montanejos) and sometimes canyoning. Prices approximately €40–60 including transport.
waterfalls and thermal springs tour with swimmingCheck availability
The Fuente de los Baños
The thermal springs emerge directly from the riverbed at approximately 25°C year-round — warm enough to swim in comfortably even in winter, pleasantly cool in summer against the ambient heat. The water is clear, lightly mineralised (calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate), and has been used for bathing since Roman times. The Spanish name “fuente de los baños” (fountain of the baths) reflects centuries of use.
The best swimming section is the pool immediately below the main spring emergence point — here the thermal water mixes with the cooler river, giving temperatures of 22–25°C. Downstream pools are slightly cooler. The rocky riverbanks have natural platforms for sunbathing between swims.
Access: Free. No entrance ticket, no facilities fee. Basic changing areas and toilets near the car park. No lockers.
Depth: The river pools vary — most are 1–3 m deep in the main channels. Rocky bottom in places; water shoes are recommended (not essential but helpful on the approach path).
Crowds: Weekday visits outside July–August are ideal. Summer weekends (especially August) attract hundreds of visitors and the pools are packed by 11:00. Go on a Tuesday or Wednesday in May, June, September, or October for the experience at its best.
The Garganta de Montanejos (gorge walk)
The Mijares river gorge above the village offers one of the best accessible walks in inland Valencia province. The path follows the river upstream for 5–6 km through progressively narrower gorge walls — at the narrowest point, the rock faces on either side are 50–80 m high and only metres apart.
Route: Start from the bridge near the Fuente de los Baños car park. Follow the marked path upstream. Total round trip 10–12 km, 3–4 hours, minimal elevation gain (the gorge is flat). The path crosses the river several times via stepping stones and narrow bridges — in high water (spring snowmelt, November–March) some crossings are difficult.
Difficulty: Moderate. The terrain is uneven rock and path. Appropriate footwear required. Not suitable for young children in wet conditions.
What to see: Rock walls with geological striations, clear-water pools deep in the gorge, griffon vultures circling overhead (year-round), and the remarkable variety of microclimates as you move from the sunny valley to the shadowed gorge interior.
natural wonders — exploring the top 4 waterfallsCheck availability
The village of Montanejos
Montanejos village itself is small (around 500 permanent residents) and oriented entirely around the spa tourism that the thermal springs have generated since the 19th century. The main street has a handful of hotels, restaurants, and a spa complex (Balneario de Montanejos) that offers paid thermal treatments.
Balneario de Montanejos: The historic thermal spa complex in the village offers indoor pools, hydrotherapy treatments, and massage. Entry to the pool area is approximately €15–20 per session. A useful option if the outdoor pools are too crowded or the weather is poor.
The church and old quarter: Modest by comparison to Bocairent or Xàtiva, but the upper village lanes have the quiet charm of any functioning Castellón mountain village.
Where to eat in Montanejos
The village has around 8–10 restaurants, all small and locally run. Prices are rural — menú del día €12–14.
Restaurante La Cascada (Carrer Major) is the most consistent recommendation for local mountain cooking — lamb chops, trucha (trout from the nearby rivers), and hearty soups.
Mesón del Rio (near the river car park) is convenient for lunch before the return drive.
Self-catering: Many visitors bring their own picnic for eating along the river — this is both permitted and logical. The rock platforms along the Fuente de los Baños section are ideal picnic spots.
Combining Montanejos with other destinations
Segorbe (on the A-23, 30 km southeast of Montanejos): A medieval cathedral town with a fine collection of Valencian Gothic art in its diocesan museum. The annual “encierro” (bull run through the old streets) in September is one of the region’s most remarkable local traditions. A morning stop in Segorbe on the way to Montanejos adds 45 minutes and minimal driving detour.
Coves de Sant Josep (Vall d’Uixó, 45 km east of Montanejos): The navigable underground river, one of the longest in Europe. Accessible by car, awkward to combine without significant detour.
Practical information
Best time: May–June and September–October for comfortable temperatures and low crowds. The thermal pools are swimmable year-round. November–March sees fewer visitors and the gorge walk is most dramatic, but some river crossings may be impassable after rain.
What to bring: Swimwear and a quick-dry towel. Water shoes for the river approach. Snacks and water for the gorge walk. Sun protection. Cash for restaurants.
What to leave behind: Large bags are impractical on the river path. Leave valuables in the car (hidden), not on the riverbank.
Medical note: The thermal waters are generally safe for most visitors. Those with skin conditions, heart conditions, or respiratory problems should consult a doctor before extended hot-spring bathing, as with any thermal water environment.
Frequently asked questions about Montanejos
Are the Montanejos pools free?
Yes. The Fuente de los Baños natural thermal pools in the river are entirely free to access. The paid option is the Balneario de Montanejos spa complex in the village (€15–20 for pool use), which offers warm indoor pools and treatments.
Can I visit Montanejos in winter?
Yes. The thermal pools are 25°C year-round, so winter swimming is possible (air temperature in January is 5–10°C — cold but bracing). The gorge walk is excellent in winter with lower water temperatures and no crowds. Most restaurants and some hotels stay open year-round.
Is Montanejos safe for children?
The thermal pool area with adult supervision is fine for children who can swim. The gorge walk has some sections with steep drops to the river — keep children close and do not attempt the most exposed river crossings with young children in wet conditions.
How does Montanejos compare to the Algar waterfalls near Guadalest?
Different experiences. Montanejos is a river gorge with thermal water, better for swimming and hiking. The Algar waterfalls (near Callosa d’en Sarrià, south of Valencia) are more spectacular visually — tiered cascades — but the swimming is cooler (natural spring temperature, not thermal) and the site is more crowded and commercialised. Both are worth visiting on separate trips.
Top experiences
Bookable activities with verified prices and instant confirmation on GetYourGuide.
