Montanejos Thermal Pools & Adventure from Valencia: Hike, Kayak, Raft

Mountain Thermal Pools & River Adventures Near Valencia

You choose between a guided 8 km hike through canyons and caves, a beginner kayak paddle on a mountain lake, or white water rafting: all with free time afterward at the famous thermal pools where mineral-rich water stays at 23°C year-round. Round-trip coach transfer from Valencia, professional instructors, and equipment are included. You skip the entry line and spend the afternoon swimming and relaxing in the natural spring before heading back to the city.

Step-by-step itinerary

Montanejos nature and adventure day

• Travel from Valencia to Montanejos
• Choose activity: relax, hike, kayak, or raft
• Explore Montanejos village and surroundings
• Enjoy free time at Fuente de los Baños
• Swim and relax in thermal pools
• Return to Valencia

The experience

Our guide Maria met us at the hotel pickup point with a thermos of coffee and a grin: she'd already checked the weather three times that morning. "The water's perfect today," she said, and she wasn't talking about the forecast. Montanejos sits about an hour north of Valencia, tucked into the mountains of Castellón, and it's the kind of place that doesn't announce itself. You drive through pine forests, the air gets cooler, and then suddenly the Mijares River appears below, running clear enough to see the rocks on the bottom. Maria explained that the thermal pools at Fuente de los Baños stay at 23°C year-round because they're fed by natural springs, not heated, just naturally warm. That detail matters because it means the water feels alive, not manufactured.

The day splits into two halves, and you pick your own pace. If you choose the hiking option, you're looking at a guided 7 to 8 km walk through the canyon, past the Black Cave and up to viewpoints where the river bends below you like a ribbon. The path isn't brutal, but it's real. You're moving uphill through forest, and your legs know it. If that's not your thing, the kayak option puts you on a calm mountain lake instead, beginner-friendly, with equipment and an instructor included. Or there's rafting, which is the white water version: still beginner-level, but you're actually paddling through moving water with a professional crew. Maria said most people don't realize you can do all three in one day if you wanted to, though the schedule doesn't quite allow it. The free time at the thermal pools is built in no matter which activity you choose, and that's where the day settles. You float in water that's neither cold nor hot, surrounded by limestone cliffs and forest, and the only sound is the river.

The coach picks you up from your Valencia hotel in the morning and handles the drive both ways, so you're not navigating mountain roads or worrying about parking. Skip-the-line access to Fuente de los Baños means you don't spend your afternoon in an entry queue. You walk straight to the water. If you're traveling solo, you can still book. The company will contact you if group minimums for kayaking aren't met, which is honest rather than a surprise at the trailhead. The whole thing takes a full day, and you return to Valencia in the evening. Bring a towel and water shoes if you have them, though neither is essential.

What’s included

Round-trip air-conditioned coach transfer from your Valencia hotel, skip-the-line access to Fuente de los Baños thermal pools, your choice of guided 7 to 8 km hiking through mountain canyons and viewpoints, beginner-friendly kayaking on a mountain lake with equipment and instruction, or beginner white water rafting with professional instructors, plus free time to swim and relax in the 23°C natural spring waters.

Options for this experience

4 options

Surprise Stop alongside Natural PoolsGuide in English or Spanish · 09:00A short walk through the village, free time at the natural pools, and an extra stop at a surprise scenic location. Includes pickup.

Natural Pools with HikingGuide in English or Spanish · 09:00Guided moderate hike of 6-8 km, then free time at the natural pools. Pickup is included.

Natural Pools plus KayakingGuide in English or Spanish · 09:00A relaxing kayaking experience on a calm mountain lake, followed by free time at the natural pools. Pickup is included.

Natural Pools combined with RaftingGuide in English or Spanish · Available from 3 Apr 2027A beginner-friendly rafting activity on the Mijares River, followed by free time at the natural pools. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (17 to 65 years) · Youth (8 to 16 years) · Child (3 to 7 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 53

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Hola Trip

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a full day away from Valencia without arranging your own transport or paying separate entry fees: the coach pickup and skip-the-line access are what make the whole day feel unhurried, and choosing your activity level means you're not forced into someone else's pace.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (8 to 16 years); Child (3 to 7 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the drive from Valencia to Montanejos?

About one hour each way by coach.

Can I do more than one activity in a day?

The schedule is built around one main activity plus free time at the thermal pools. Combining multiple activities isn't part of the itinerary.

Is the hiking difficult?

The guided hike is 7 to 8 km through mountain terrain with elevation gain. It requires at least moderate fitness and is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or spinal injuries.

Do I need to know how to kayak or swim?

Kayaking is beginner-friendly with instruction and equipment provided. Rafting participants must be able to swim.

What's the water temperature at the thermal pools?

The natural spring water stays at 23°C year-round.

Is there a minimum group size?

The kayak option requires a minimum of 2 participants. Solo travelers can book and will be contacted if the group doesn't meet the minimum. Hiking and rafting have no solo restrictions.

What's included in the price?

Round-trip coach transfer, skip-the-line access to the thermal pools, your chosen activity with professional instruction and equipment, and free time to swim and relax.

Can pregnant travelers or people with certain health conditions join?

The tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers, people with spinal injuries, or those with poor cardiovascular health. Check with the operator if you have health concerns.