Montanejos makes a great day trip because it mixes real hiking with a payoff you can feel. You’ll follow the Mijares River, reach the famous water jet of El Chorro, then cool off in the mineral-rich Fuentes de los Baños pools. It’s a short distance from Valencia, but it feels like you escaped the city.

I especially like the built-in balance: a moderate hike (about 9 km) with chances to pause and enjoy the views, then 1.5 hours of free time at the pools to swim, relax, and recover. I also like that the tour supports non-swimmers and lets you skip the hiking if you’d rather save your energy.

One consideration: the hike is not gentle, and in hot months they may shorten the route (about 5–6 km), but you still need to handle hills and heat. If you’re not confident with uneven ground, plan your day around the pools instead.

Key highlights to look for

• El Chorro scale: a water spectacle described as unleashing 300,000 liters per minute
• Fuentes de los Baños comfort: thermal pools kept around 23°C year-round
• Mijares River hiking: follow the river toward Montanejos while town-and-mountain views pop up
• Flexible energy level: the hike isn’t mandatory; you can stay with the pools
• Guides who manage the pace: friendly, hands-on guidance in English or Spanish
• Bring swim + hiking gear: you’ll likely get wet during parts of the walk

From Valencia to Montanejos: the coach ride that gets you moving

This day trip runs from Valencia into the Valencian Community countryside, with roundtrip transportation handled for you. The schedule starts at Carrer de Ramon Llull, 21 (in front of a purple office), then you head out by coach for about 1.5 hours.

That bus time matters because it compresses your day: you lose less time figuring out transport and more time at the actual highlights. Once you reach Montanejos, the tour shifts into “walk and swim” mode with a guided hike and then a dedicated pool window.

Also, you’re not just dropped off and left alone. You travel with tour coordinators, and the experience includes guidance in English and Spanish, which makes it easier to ask questions and get oriented quickly.

The Mijares River hike: moderate effort, real rewards

The hike is the spine of the day. It’s described as moderate, roughly 9 km long, with enough uphill-and-downhill walking to feel like a workout—not a stroll. Reviews about pacing often call out a steeper start and then a more manageable rhythm after you get warmed up.

You’ll be walking along the Mijares River with views of both the town and the surrounding mountain area. Over the route, you’ll get moments that feel like quick “photo stops,” not because you’re forced to stop, but because the scenery naturally pulls you to look up and around.

Here’s the smart way to prepare: bring hiking shoes and drink water, because the route is rated for people who can walk up and down hills in heat. Even when the hike is “moderate,” your body will notice the elevation and the sun.

When summer changes the route

During summer season, the hiking trail may be adapted due to the heat. Instead of the full ~9 km, the distance can be reduced to about 5–6 km. You’ll still experience key highlights, including the jetstream area, but the day will feel less like a long grind and more like a shorter walk before you’re back in the pools.

If you’re visiting in the middle of summer, plan your day like it’s a warm-weather hike. Use sunscreen, wear a hat, and treat hydration as part of the schedule, not an afterthought.

El Chorro: the main show near the powerful water jet

El Chorro is the dramatic “wow” moment in the middle of the hike. The description is eye-opening: the jetstream unleashes about 300,000 liters of water per minute, which explains why the area can feel almost theatrical.

It’s not just about seeing water move. It’s about experiencing force. As you get closer, you’ll understand why people talk about this stop as a core reason they booked the trip.

One practical point: the jet and the water’s path can leave you wet. Some walkers also note parts of the route involve water crossings or passing close to waterfall/jet-like areas, so pack for getting damp. If you think you’ll only bring a swimsuit and hope for the best, you might end up wishing you had spare socks or a change of clothes.

Also, there’s a seasonal reality: in some periods, the water jet can be down or reduced. If the jetstream isn’t running at full volume when you go, don’t panic—your day still centers on the river walk and the pools, and those are the parts with guaranteed payoff.

Fuentes de los Baños: thermal pools at 23°C and why it feels restorative

After the hike (or after your pool-only option), you get to spend time at Fuente de los Baños, Montanejos. You’ll have about 1.5 hours of free time to enjoy the natural pools and swim.

The pools are kept around 23°C throughout the year, so even when it’s cooler outside, you’ll usually feel comfortable enough to linger. In warm months, it can feel cooler than the idea of “thermal” suggests, but it’s still very swim-friendly compared to typical outdoor water.

The mineral-rich water is part of the appeal, and there’s also a local legend attached to the site: it’s said to have been built by Moorish king Abu Zeit to keep the beauty of his queens. Whether you take the story as history or folklore, the bigger takeaway is the same: this place has been loved for a long time for how it relaxes you.

Pool time tips that actually help

Bring swimwear, a towel, and water shoes if you have them. Footing can be slippery, and reviews repeatedly point out the value of having proper footwear. Pack a small set of dry clothes if you can—some people get wet during the hike and then want to change before settling into pool time.

If you’re traveling with someone who doesn’t want to hike, this is the cleanest compromise: the hike part is not mandatory, and you can stay at the pools instead. That makes the day more flexible than many “active + reward” trips.

What the day feels like: timing, effort, and pacing

The full trip runs about 8.5 hours, which is a good length for a Valencia day trip: long enough to feel like a real escape, short enough to still have evening plans. The day is set up with two coach segments of about 1.5 hours each, plus the hike and then pool time.

A typical flow looks like this:

1) Coach from Valencia to Montanejos

2) Guided hiking portion with stops and pacing support

3) Pool time at Fuentes de los Baños (about 1.5 hours)

4) Coach back to the start point in Valencia

On effort level, don’t underestimate the “moderate” label. People who do well often describe it as manageable with appropriate shoes, a steady pace, and breaks. People who struggle usually point to heat, steep parts early on, or the length.

If you want a simple rule: if you’re okay with a few tough climbs and walking several hours total across uneven ground, you’ll likely be happy you chose the hike. If not, the pools alone are still a strong reason to go.

Guides and group vibe: friendly coaching in English and Spanish

The tour stands out for how it handles people. The guidance is described as not overbearing, with friendly support and a pace that doesn’t leave everyone behind without warning. If you’ve ever joined a group tour that felt like a sprint with occasional photo stops, you’ll appreciate that this one tends to slow down enough for questions and navigation.

Guide names you may see include Paco, Alejandro, Nouha, Manu, Miguel, and Tao/Manuel. Even when different groups have different guides, the common thread in feedback is the same: they explain what you’re walking toward, help you manage timing, and keep the day feeling social rather than chaotic.

And the languages matter. With English and Spanish available, you don’t have to rely on vibes to figure out what’s coming next. You can ask about the area—fauna, flora, and local facts—without feeling stuck.

What to pack (so your day goes smoothly)

The list is practical, and you’ll feel glad you followed it. Here’s what I’d treat as non-negotiable for comfort on this trip:

• Hiking shoes (or solid footwear)
• Swimwear and a towel
• Water shoes for the pool area
• Sun hat + sunscreen
• Water (you’ll use it on the hike)
• Change of clothes (especially if you get wet during parts of the walk)
• Food if you want to cover yourself (food and drinks are not included)

Some people also recommend bringing spare socks if you’re sensitive to dampness. Even if you’re a confident swimmer, the bigger surprise for many is that the hike can leave you wet, so plan for that.

Price and value: is $51 a good deal?

At about $51 per person, this trip can feel like a bargain compared to the cost of piecing together transport + guided activity + paid entry to a natural pool area. You’re not only paying for the scenery—you’re paying for the logistics.

What you’re getting for the price:

• Roundtrip transportation from Valencia
• Guided hike
• Entry to the Natural Pools area
• Free time to enjoy Fuentes de los Baños
• Tour coordinators

Food and drinks are extra, so bring snacks if you want a comfortable buffer. But if you prefer a structured day where everything major is handled, the pricing makes sense. You’re paying for time efficiency and a guide who keeps the hike moving at a manageable pace.

Who this Montanejos hike suits best

This is a great fit if you want a day trip with real variety: walking, views, and then a swim in thermal-feeling water. It also suits people who like structure but still want flexibility, because you can skip the hike and spend the day at the pools instead.

It’s less of a fit if you need fully flat walking, since the route includes hills and moderate hiking demands. It’s also not suitable for certain health and mobility situations listed by the operator, including heart problems, respiratory issues, mobility impairments, pregnancy, and age over 65. Children under 14 are also not suitable.

If you’re unsure, look at your comfort with:

• uphill/downhill walking
• heat management
• footwear for uneven, wet areas

Then decide whether you’re going for the hike-and-swim combo or the pools-first approach.

Should you book the Montanejos Guided Hike with Natural Pools?

Book it if you want one of the best “short-distance from Valencia” mixes of El Chorro spectacle and Fuentes de los Baños downtime. The timing is efficient, the pools are truly the star for relaxation (23°C year-round), and the hike is built to be doable for people with decent fitness.

Skip it or reconsider if you hate steep climbs, can’t handle prolonged walking in heat, or you’re in one of the categories the tour states it can’t accommodate. Also think twice if you’re hoping for a totally dry experience—this is a water-heavy day.

If you do book, treat your packing like the trip depends on it—because it does. Bring swim gear, water shoes, sunscreen, and a change of clothes. Then show up ready to walk, see El Chorro, and let the pools do the recovery work.