REVIEW · VALENCIA
Valencia–Montanejos: Hiking/Raft/Kayak or Salto de la Novia
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Montanejos turns a long day into a simple win. This is a guided outing from Valencia built around rafting or kayaking, a possible hike, and multiple chances to cool off in spring water, with entrance fees and gear handled. I like that it stays organized with small-ish group limits (up to 50) and real guidance, and I also like the built-in swim stops like Fuente de los Baños, where the water stays a constant 20–25ºC.
One thing to consider: the timing depends on which option you pick, and you’ll be walking and paddling enough to need moderate physical fitness plus the right attitude if you’re doing your first river run.
If you’re going in summer, the advice is simple: bring water and sunscreen. And yes, the guide team matters here, including names like Nacho and Greta for the day’s flow, and on rafting you may work with the likes of Nini, Carolina, and Victor, who people credit for making it feel safe and fun.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- Why Montanejos Feels Like a Day Trip Escape
- Price and What You Actually Get for $58.81
- Getting From Valencia: Private Transport and No-Fuss Start
- Stop 1: Sendero Familiar, Plus Your First Lake-Water Reset
- Rafting Montanejos: Gear, Team Energy, and First-Timer Confidence
- Fuente de los Baños: The Spring Water That Stays Ready
- Salto de la Novia Option: Waterfalls, Picnic, and What to Pack
- What to Bring (and How to Keep the Day Comfortable)
- Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Want Another Plan)
- The Best Parts People Keep Mentioning
- Should You Book Valencia–Montanejos?
- FAQ
- How long is the Valencia–Montanejos experience?
- What does the tour cost?
- Is food included?
- What activities are offered?
- Are rafting and kayaking gear included?
- Do I get entrance fees included?
- Will I have a chance to swim?
- What should I bring for Salto de la Novia?
- Do I need to be very fit?
- What if the weather is bad?
Key things to know before you go

- Rafting or kayaking gear included, plus bottled water, so you travel light.
- Spring-water swimming stops are part of the schedule, not a bonus you have to hunt for.
- Fuente de los Baños stays 20–25ºC year-round, which is rare and seriously useful.
- Salto de la Novia is an option add-on with a morning waterfall segment and picnic.
- Private transport from Valencia means less time figuring out logistics and more time outside.
- Group activities run a few hours each, then you regroup at the lake area to relax.
Why Montanejos Feels Like a Day Trip Escape
You’re leaving Valencia, but the day doesn’t feel like just another “bus tour.” It feels like a sports day with a chill reset between activities. You do the moving parts—hike, raft, or kayak—then you return to water that’s ready for swimming.
The best part is how the schedule is built for flow. After your first activity, you meet back at the lake area to relax and swim in spring water, then again after the rafting or kayaking segment. That rhythm keeps you from feeling like you’re rushing from one thing to the next.
Also, I appreciate that the whole outing is designed around guides who handle the pace. People consistently highlight how safe and well-organized it felt, especially with guide teams like Nini, Carolina, and Victor on the rafting side.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Valencia.
Price and What You Actually Get for $58.81

At $58.81 per person, this is priced like an active day tour, but it doesn’t charge you extra for the “core stuff.” You get private transportation, rafting and kayak equipment, and bottled water included.
There are also entrance fees included: the entrance to the lake area (listed as 4,5€) and the entrance fee tied to Salto de la Novia. Food and drinks are not included, but they’re also not claimed to be. That’s good clarity, because active days often sneak in surprise costs at the end.
Here’s how I’d think about value: if you want rafting or kayaking plus guided access to the Montanejos swimming areas, you’re basically paying for transportation + guides + gear + entry. If you’re only interested in one short activity, it may feel like more day than you need—but if you want a full outdoors hit, the price looks fair.
Getting From Valencia: Private Transport and No-Fuss Start

The day begins at Av. d’Aragó, 31, El Pla del Real, 46010 València. And the ending is back at the same meeting point, which is exactly what you want after a long river-and-sun day.
Because transport is private, you’re not spending your time herding yourself through transfers. It also tends to help keep the schedule realistic, since the group can roll out together.
One small practical note: confirmation comes at booking time, and the experience runs in English. If you prefer tours with clear communication and a group rhythm, this fits.
Stop 1: Sendero Familiar, Plus Your First Lake-Water Reset

Stop 1 changes depending on what you select. If you choose Montanejos + Hiking, the day starts with Sendero Familiar.
On arrival, the group separates by activity. You’ll go with the guide for your chosen segment: hiking, rafting/kayak, or relax. Even though the day is active, this stop is built to feel balanced. After your activity (about 2–3 hours), you reconnect in the lake area.
And the lake area is the key. You’re not just watching the water—you’re meant to relax and swim in spring water. That’s a big part of the Montanejos appeal, and it’s also why the day doesn’t feel like pure exertion.
Possible drawback: if you’re sensitive to getting wet or sun, you’ll want to manage it early. You’ll be in open air and you’ll have water time, so sunscreen and a towel aren’t optional in practice.
Rafting Montanejos: Gear, Team Energy, and First-Timer Confidence

Stop 2 is where the day turns sporty again: Rafting Montanejos. When you arrive, you choose between rafting or kayaking, then head out with an adventurous company guide.
This segment runs around 3–4 hours for rafting or kayaking. The important part isn’t just time—it’s that the tour provides the equipment and moves you through it with a guide. That matters for first-timers. One of the strongest pieces of feedback is that people felt safe once they listened to the guide, even if they were nervous at the start.
Also, I like that after this more intense part, you regroup again at the lake area to relax and swim. That keeps the day from turning into constant “go, go, go.” You get recovery time built in.
Practical consideration: rafting is physically active. You should be ready for getting in and out of the water and being in the sun. If you can handle moderate activity, you’ll be fine.
Fuente de los Baños: The Spring Water That Stays Ready

Stop 3 is Fuente de los Baños de Montanejos—and it’s the stop that makes this tour work in any season. The springs keep a constant temperature of 20–25ºC all year, which means you’re not stuck deciding between nature and comfort.
This is where you relax, swim, and have drinks until evening. The “until evening” part matters, because it gives the day a softer landing after the river segment. If you want a quieter option inside the same day, this is your moment.
You can also go to the village if you want to break away from the water time. That gives you a tiny “culture check” without turning the day into a museum tour.
If you’re thinking about value, this stop is a big reason. Entrance is included, and the temperature consistency is the kind of detail that turns a hike or rafting day into an actual swim day—no guessing required.
Salto de la Novia Option: Waterfalls, Picnic, and What to Pack

If you choose the Salto de la Novia option, the day includes a morning drive to two waterfalls. You’ll enjoy the nature, and there may be a chance to swim along the way.
Then you head to Montanejos for a picnic and more time in the spring water after a surprise stop. After that, you return to Valencia.
Even though the ticket line item shows 1 hour and notes the entrance as free, the description makes it clear this is not a tiny add-on. It’s a meaningful extra segment with time at waterfalls and a picnic.
What to pack for this option is clearly spelled out:
- Swimming clothes
- Hat
- Towel
- Food & drinks
- Sunscreen
That last bit is practical: sunscreen is the one item people regret forgetting. In summer especially, guides’ advice aligns with what you’d expect—bring water and sunscreen and plan for sun time.
What to Bring (and How to Keep the Day Comfortable)

For this tour, you’re juggling two realities: active outdoors time and swim-ready springs.
Bring:
- Swimming clothes (you’ll have swim time at the lake area and at Fuente de los Baños)
- Towel
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Water for your own comfort (even though bottled water is included, having more doesn’t hurt)
If you booked Salto de la Novia, also bring the listed items: food and drinks plus your towel and sunscreen. Since food isn’t included on the standard day, having something planned for your own comfort makes sense.
Skip:
- Anything you can’t get wet easily. This is a water-day tour. Treat it like one.
One more comfort tip: even if you feel fine at noon, water time can change how your body feels later. A towel and dry layer can keep you happier during the ride back.
Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Want Another Plan)
This outing is for people with moderate physical fitness. If you can hike a trail segment, handle a few hours of activity, and comfortably get in and out of water, you’ll likely enjoy it.
It’s also a good fit if you want structure. The guides handle equipment, timing, and regroup points. Feedback strongly emphasizes organization and safety, and names like Nacho and Greta show up in the kind of praise that usually means the team keeps everything moving while still being friendly.
Choose this tour if:
- You want rafting or kayaking from Valencia with gear included.
- You want a day that ends with warm spring-water swimming.
- You like guided days where the schedule has built-in downtime.
Consider a different option if:
- You want a pure sightseeing day with minimal physical activity.
- You hate sun exposure and don’t want to plan for it.
The Best Parts People Keep Mentioning
The top praise isn’t about scenery hype. It’s about execution.
First, the guides and rafting team make a difference. If you’re nervous about rafting, you’ll appreciate how people highlight listening to the guide as the turning point from fear to fun. That same team energy shows up in raft-focused comments that credit Nini, Carolina, and Victor by name.
Second, the day is described as seamless and well organized. That’s not a small thing on a long day trip. It affects stress levels, pacing, and whether you feel lost between stops.
Third, the swim stops carry the emotional weight of the tour. Fuente de los Baños with its constant temperature is the kind of detail that makes you want to linger. Even if you do the active parts, this is the payoff.
Should You Book Valencia–Montanejos?
I’d book it if you want an active day that also has a built-in excuse to relax in warm spring water. The mix of transport + guides + equipment + entrance fees makes the price feel grounded, not inflated by add-ons. And the schedule has a nice rhythm: do something sporty, regroup, swim, repeat.
Skip it if your main goal is slow sightseeing, or if you’d rather avoid water-based activities. This tour is built for people who are okay getting wet and spending time outdoors.
If you’re choosing between options, I’d make the decision based on your energy level. Want more action and fewer waterfall stops? Go with the hiking/rafting/kayak structure. Want the extra nature and picnic day flavor? Add Salto de la Novia—just do yourself a favor and bring what the tour asks for.
FAQ
How long is the Valencia–Montanejos experience?
It’s about 9 to 10 hours.
What does the tour cost?
The price is $58.81 per person.
Is food included?
No. Food and drinks are not included.
What activities are offered?
You can choose between hiking, rafting, kayaking, relax time, and an option for Salto de la Novia.
Are rafting and kayaking gear included?
Yes. Rafting and kayak equipment are included, along with bottled water.
Do I get entrance fees included?
Yes. The tour includes the entrance to the lake area and the entrance fee to Salto de la Novia.
Will I have a chance to swim?
Yes. There are swim breaks in spring water, including at the lake area and at Fuente de los Baños de Montanejos.
What should I bring for Salto de la Novia?
Bring swimming clothes, a hat, a towel, food and drinks, and sunscreen.
Do I need to be very fit?
You should have moderate physical fitness for hiking and/or river activities.
What if the weather is bad?
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.














