From Valencia: Thermal Springs & Hike – Private Day Tour

The best part of this private day tour is the contrast: you spend the morning walking above the Maimona River canyon, then cool your feet in Montanejos’ famous thermal waters. I like the choice between a serious 9 km hike and a shorter 6 km route, and I like that the drive from Valencia passes orange groves, villages, mountains, and the historic Sagunto Fortress.

I also like the flexible lunch plan. You can eat tapas in a village, bring snacks, or wait until you reach the springs. The main caution is the water temperature: it stays at about 25°C, which may feel pleasantly mild in warm weather but cool on a windy winter day.

Key points to know before booking

• The La Bojera route follows a dramatic canyon: Expect pine forest, high cliffs, river views, and several good photo stops.
• You choose the walking level: The longer circular trail takes about 3 hours 15 minutes and is rated medium. The shorter route takes about 1 hour 45 minutes and is easy.
• Montanejos water is mild, not hot: The springs remain at 25°C year-round, so bring swimwear but do not expect a steaming spa pool.
• This is a genuinely private outing: Your schedule, walking pace, lunch choice, and time at the springs can be handled within your own group.
• The guide adds practical value: Kevin has provided wetsuits and water shoes when conditions called for them, and he is noted for clear planning and communication.
• Lunch costs extra: You can stop at a local tapas restaurant or eat your own food near the springs.

From Valencia to the Maimona canyon

Your day begins with pickup in Valencia, normally with a request to be ready five minutes before departure. The drive to Montanejos takes you away from city streets and into the Valencian countryside. You pass Mediterranean coast scenery, orange groves, small villages, valleys, and mountain roads, with views toward the historic fortress at Sagunto.

The drive takes about 1 hour 10 minutes to reach the Montanejos area. That is a useful detail when planning your day. You are not making a quick hop to a nearby swimming hole. This is a full countryside outing, and roughly two hours of the day can be spent getting there and back.

The private vehicle matters here. You are not waiting for a large group to load, and you can talk with the guide about the hike, the weather, or the best way to use your time. The vehicle is air-conditioned, which is welcome after a warm walk or during the summer drive.

The scenery is part of the experience, not just transport. The route lets you see a side of the Valencian Community that is easy to miss if you stay in Valencia. The coast is only one part of this region. Inland, the orange-growing country gives way to valleys, pine-covered hills, and exposed rock.

Choosing between two walks

The main outdoor section is the Route of La Bojera, a 9 km circular walk following the Maimona River and its canyon. It takes about 3 hours 15 minutes and is rated medium. You walk through pine forest, pass beneath or beside large vertical cliffs, and reach views over mountain ridges and gorges.

You can take the walk at your own pace, which is one of the strongest reasons to book this privately. A quick group pace can make a scenic walk feel like an exercise test. Here, you can pause for photos, take a breather, or ask the guide about the route without worrying about strangers waiting behind you.

The trail is not presented as a technical mountain climb, but it is still a proper hike. Comfortable sneakers or trainers are the right choice. Bring water and snacks, since lunch is not included and the walking section comes before the relaxing part of the day.

The shorter 6 km option takes about 1 hour 45 minutes and is rated easy. This is the sensible choice if you want mountain scenery without using most of your energy before the springs. It may also suit you if you are unsure how your knees, back, or general fitness will handle a longer circular route.

The walk’s appeal comes from changing views. Pine trees provide stretches of shade, while open sections reveal the canyon and sheer rock walls. The huge cliffs give the route a stronger sense of scale than a standard forest stroll. You should have several chances to stop for photographs, although the exact views and walking conditions depend on the day.

One practical point: the tour is not suitable for people with back problems, pregnant women, or wheelchair users. That restriction applies to the walking and swimming combination, not just the longer route, so check the physical demands before booking.

Why the La Bojera hike is worth your morning

I like this walk because it gives you more than a pleasant woodland path. The Maimona canyon creates a clear visual story. You begin among trees, then find yourself looking into gorges and up at tall rock faces. The route feels like a proper break from Valencia rather than a city tour with a short nature stop added at the end.

The circular format also helps. You are not simply walking a short distance to one viewpoint and turning around. The route takes roughly three hours and gives the morning a sense of purpose. If you enjoy being outdoors, the hike is likely to be the part you remember most.

Still, do not book this expecting a gentle promenade. The 9 km route is rated medium and lasts more than three hours. Warm months can make the exposed sections tiring, so bring a sun hat and sun cream. In colder months, take a top and jacket. The mountain air can feel different from Valencia, especially if the day is windy.

The guide can help you decide between the two routes. That choice is valuable because weather, fitness, and personal interest change from one group to another. Someone who wants a real walk should choose La Bojera. Someone mainly interested in the springs can preserve energy with the shorter path.

Lunch in a mountain village, or food by the water

Lunch is optional and not included in the $153 price. You can stop at a local village tapas restaurant for simple regional dishes at reasonable prices, or go directly to the thermal springs and eat there.

I like having this choice because it keeps the day from feeling over-programmed. A village meal gives you a chance to sit down and eat local food away from Valencia’s main tourist areas. It also breaks up the walk and swimming with a proper meal.

The other option is more efficient. If you bring snacks or a packed lunch, you can reach the springs sooner and spend more time beside the water. The supplied information specifically recommends bringing snacks and water, so do not rely on lunch being arranged for you.

Since the tour lasts seven hours, most people will want something to eat during the day. Ask about the lunch plan early, especially if you prefer the restaurant option. The tour does not include the meal, so allow extra money beyond the booking price.

Montanejos thermal springs at 25°C

After the hike, you spend about two hours around Aigües Termals de Montanejos. The springs stay at a constant 25°C throughout the year. This is warm enough for a swim by many standards, but it is not the same as entering a hot bath.

That distinction matters. In summer, 25°C can feel refreshing and comfortable. In winter, particularly with wind or cloud, it may feel lukewarm. A February outing had chilly, windy conditions, and the water felt less inviting even though the spring temperature remained constant. Another visit in late November skipped swimming for the same reason.

You can sunbathe on the shore, swim in the water, visit a water cave, or watch the rock jump. If you are daring, there is a 3 m rock from which you can jump into the lagoon. You should treat that as an optional extra, not a required part of the tour.

The springs are known for their medicinal properties and sit among impressive mountains. The setting does much of the work here. After several hours on foot, sitting beside clear mountain water with cliffs around you is a pleasant change of pace.

Bring swimwear even if you are not sure you will swim. Conditions can change during the day, and you may decide the water feels fine once you are there. Water shoes can also be useful. On at least one outing, the guide arranged wetsuits and water shoes, but you should not assume those items are always included. Ask before departure if you need them.

A strong water jet from the wall is another unusual feature. It is not a standard swimming-pool attraction, and it gives you a memorable stop even if the main lagoon feels too cool.

What the private format adds

The private setup is the clearest reason this tour costs more than a basic group excursion. You get hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle, a native English-speaking guide, and a day built around your own group rather than a busload of strangers.

At $153 per person, the value depends on your group size and priorities. For one person, the price is high for a seven-hour outing. For a couple or small group, the cost buys private transport, a guide, route flexibility, and a difficult-to-arrange combination of canyon hiking and thermal swimming.

The private format also helps with pacing. You can spend longer at a viewpoint, choose the shorter walk, or head to the springs rather than taking a long restaurant stop. If you are traveling with different fitness levels, that flexibility has real value.

Guide Kevin has been praised for being patient, well spoken, and organized in advance. Clear communication matters on a day with several moving parts: pickup, a long walk, lunch, swimming, and the return drive. One particularly practical touch was arranging wetsuits and water shoes for a cold-weather outing.

The language options are English and Spanish. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, but the exact pickup point should be confirmed when booking. The tour requires you to be ready five minutes before departure.

Weather, clothing, and comfort

Your packing list is short but important:

• Comfortable sneakers or trainers
• Water and snacks
• Swimwear
• Sun hat and sun cream in hot months
• A top and jacket in colder months

The walk and springs respond differently to weather. A hot day can make the trail tiring but make 25°C water feel refreshing. A cold, windy day can make the hike pleasant while making the swim less attractive.

The four available ratings give the experience a perfect overall score, with praise focused on the guide, the scenery, and the unusual combination of hiking and thermal water. I would still keep your expectations measured. The springs are not a hot spa, and the longer walk requires real effort.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and allows you to reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Valencia plans are still changing, but the more important decision is choosing a day with weather that suits both walking and swimming.

Who should book this day trip?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want an active break from Valencia and prefer natural scenery to a string of city attractions. It suits couples, friends, and small private groups who like having control over walking speed and lunch plans.

It is especially good for people who want both exercise and downtime. The morning gives you a medium-level canyon walk, while the afternoon offers a quiet place to sit, swim, or simply rest beside the springs.

Choose the shorter route if the thermal water is your main goal, or if a 3-hour 15-minute hike sounds like too much. Choose the longer route if you enjoy mountain views and want the walk to be the main event.

I would not choose it if you want a hot spring experience, a fully catered day, or an outing with no physical exertion. The water is mild, lunch costs extra, and even the easier option involves walking on an outdoor trail.

Is this Valencia day tour worth booking?

Book it if you value a private guide, scenic transport, a genuine mountain walk, and a flexible stop at Montanejos. The combination is unusual, and the route offers much more than a quick dip in warm water.

Before you commit, check the forecast and be honest about your preferred walking distance. On a warm, calm day, the swim can be a fine finish. On a chilly or windy day, focus on the canyon, the mountain views, and the springs’ striking setting rather than expecting a long swim.

At $153 per person, this is best viewed as a private countryside day with transport and guiding, not simply a visit to a free bathing spot. If that matches what you want from Valencia, the tour offers a strong mix of activity, scenery, and quiet time.

FAQ

How long is the tour from Valencia?

The full experience lasts about seven hours, including pickup, the drive, walking, time at the thermal springs, and the return to Valencia.

How far are Montanejos thermal springs from Valencia?

The springs are located about 1 hour 10 minutes from Valencia by vehicle.

What walking routes can I choose?

You can choose a 9 km circular route through the Maimona canyon, which takes about 3 hours 15 minutes and is rated medium. A shorter 6 km route takes about 1 hour 45 minutes and is rated easy.

Is the thermal water hot?

No. The Montanejos springs remain at about 25°C throughout the year. The water may feel comfortable in warm weather but cool in cold or windy conditions.

Can I swim in the springs?

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

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You can choose a local village tapas restaurant or go directly to the springs and bring or buy your own food.

What should I bring?

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

Is the tour private?

Yes. This is a private group experience with hotel pickup and drop-off in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

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