Montanejos Hot Springs and Navajas Waterfall Day Trip from Valencia
- Duration8 hours
- Daily
- Group
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Overview
This guided day trip from Valencia swaps the city for the mountains of inland Castellón. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide to two of the region's best-loved natural sights: the Salto de la Novia, a waterfall that drops into a green gorge of the Palancia river at Navajas, and the Fuente de los Baños at Montanejos, where clear spring water stays mild all year in a natural pool of the Mijares river. Expect plenty of free time to swim, a picnic break, a surprise stop and a souvenir magnet to collect in Valencia afterwards. It is a shared group tour from a central meeting point at Mestalla Stadium, ideal for couples, friends and active families. A trekking option is also available.
Highlights
- Swim in the clear, mild water of the Fuente de los Baños in Montanejos
- Guided visit to the Salto de la Novia waterfall in Navajas
- About three hours at the hot springs to swim, sunbathe and picnic
- A surprise stop chosen by our guide along the route
- Return transport from Valencia in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Site entry tickets with priority access included
- A souvenir Valencia magnet for every traveller
- Optional version with a guided mountain hike of about 5 km
Full Description
Fuente de los Baños hot springs, Montanejos
The Fuente de los Baños is the reason most travellers plan a Montanejos day trip from Valencia. A spring rises at the foot of limestone cliffs and feeds a wide natural pool of the Mijares river, with water that stays at a mild temperature in the low-to-mid twenties Celsius in every season. It is clear enough to see the pebbles on the bottom, and the banks offer flat rocks for sunbathing and shady corners under the trees.
Bathing here goes back centuries: the spring was prized in medieval times for its healing reputation, and Montanejos still has a spa tradition today. On this tour you spend about three hours at the pool, the best part of the day for most guests, with time to swim, float, eat your picnic and wander a little way along the river. Bring water shoes, as the rocks can be slippery.
Salto de la Novia waterfall, Navajas
Just outside the village of Navajas, the Palancia river plunges over a tall rock wall into a deep green pool framed by ferns and moss. This is the Salto de la Novia, the Bride's Leap, one of the most photographed waterfalls in the Valencian Community. Its name comes from a local legend: newly married brides once leapt across the narrow river here for good luck, until one slipped into the water, and the falls have carried her story ever since.
A short path with steps and viewpoints leads to the base and the top of the falls, so you see the cascade from several angles. Our guide walks you through the site and tells the legend, and you have about an hour for photos and a gentle stroll. The waterfall is at its fullest after autumn and spring rain, while in summer the gorge stays shady and cool.
Montanejos village and the Mijares gorges
Montanejos sits in the Alto Mijares district of Castellón province, surrounded by steep limestone walls, pine forest and narrow river canyons. The village has a compact old quarter with a church square and a medieval Arab tower, a reminder of the centuries when this valley lay on the frontier between kingdoms. In summer it fills with swimmers, hikers and climbers drawn by the river.
Above the springs, the Mijares squeezes through the Estrecho de Chillapájaros, a dramatic gorge with a riverside trail. If you want more of the mountains, the trekking option on this page adds a guided hike of about 5 km before the swim. For anyone wondering how to get to Montanejos without a car, this tour is the simple answer: public buses are rare, and our transport takes you straight to the pool and back.
Navajas and the Palancia valley
Navajas is a small, leafy village in the Palancia valley that has welcomed summer visitors since the 19th century, thanks to its springs, shady promenades and old holiday villas. Families from Valencia and Castellón have long escaped the coastal heat here, and the village keeps a relaxed, green character, with stone fountains along its streets and walking paths beside the river.
The valley follows the historic inland route between the Mediterranean coast and Aragon, dotted with orchards, terraces and old stone bridges. On the drive you notice how quickly the landscape changes, from the orange groves around Valencia to dry hills and then the wooded slopes of the Sierra de Espadán. That variety makes this one of the most rewarding nature excursions you can fit into a single day from the city.
Itinerary
- Meeting at Mestalla Stadium, ValenciaMeet our guide at 09:00 at Gate 1 of Mestalla Stadium; after check-in the group sets off in an air-conditioned vehicle.
- Drive to NavajasAbout 50 minutes inland through orange groves into the Palancia valley.
- Salto de la Novia waterfallGuided visit, the legend of the Bride's Leap and photo time at the falls, about 1 hour.
- Drive to MontanejosAbout 35 minutes through the mountains of the Alto Mijares.
- Fuente de los Baños hot springsAbout 3 hours of free time to swim, relax on the riverbank and enjoy your picnic lunch.
- Surprise stopA short stop at a special spot chosen by our guide on the way back.
- Return to ValenciaDrop-off in central Valencia at about 17:00; the order of the waterfall and the springs can be swapped, especially in winter.
What's included
- Return transport from Valencia in an air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking tour guide
- Free time to swim at the Fuente de los Baños hot springs in Montanejos
- Guided visit to the Salto de la Novia waterfall in Navajas
- Surprise stop along the way
- Entry tickets with priority access
- Souvenir Valencia magnet per person, collected in central Valencia after the trip
- Taxes and insurance
Not included
- Lunch (bring a picnic or buy lunch locally), swimwear, towel and water shoes
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Families with children — a child price for ages 3–11
- Nature and wildlife lovers
- Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.7/5 by past travellers
Think twice if
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
- Walking is difficult for you — expect active parts
Not suitable for
- Travellers with reduced mobility, as paths, steps and riverbanks are uneven
- Anyone who cannot spend a full day of about 8 hours on the move
Meeting point
Meet our guide at 09:00 at Gate 1 of Mestalla Stadium on Avenida de Suecia, Valencia, a few minutes' walk from Aragón metro station. There is no hotel pickup on this tour. At the end of the day the group is dropped off in central Valencia at about 17:00, and you can collect your souvenir magnet at a shop in the El Carmen district by showing your ticket.
Important information
- Bring a swimsuit, towel, water shoes or sandals and a change of clothes
- Lunch is not included: pack a picnic and enough drinking water
- A small daypack is handy for the riverbank and the waterfall paths
- Sunscreen and a hat are recommended from spring to autumn
- Wear hiking shoes if you choose the trekking option
- Please arrive at Mestalla Stadium 10 minutes before 09:00
- The order of the visits may change because of weather or traffic
- The water stays mild all year, but the air can be cool in winter
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
Is this a shared or a private experience?
It is a shared group day trip with an English-speaking guide. You travel with other travellers in an air-conditioned vehicle from a central meeting point in Valencia.
How long does it take?
About 8 hours. The group leaves Mestalla Stadium at 09:00 and returns to central Valencia at about 17:00.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. Everyone meets at Gate 1 of Mestalla Stadium, which is easy to reach by metro, bus or taxi from any part of the city.
What is included?
Return transport, an English-speaking guide, a guided visit to the Salto de la Novia, free time at the Fuente de los Baños, a surprise stop, site entry tickets with priority access, a souvenir magnet, taxes and insurance.
Is the price per person or per group?
The price is per person. The booking panel on this page shows the current price of each option for your chosen date.
Is it suitable for children or travellers with reduced mobility?
Children who enjoy swimming and short walks usually love it, but they must be supervised in the water. The paths and rocky banks are uneven, so the trip is not suitable for wheelchairs or travellers with limited mobility.
What should I bring?
Swimwear, a towel, water shoes, a change of clothes, a picnic lunch, water, sunscreen and a small daypack. Hiking shoes are needed for the trekking option.
Is the water in Montanejos really hot?
It is better described as warm or mild: the spring keeps the pool in the low-to-mid twenties Celsius all year, so it feels refreshing in summer and surprisingly pleasant in winter.
What is the best time to visit Montanejos and the Salto de la Novia?
Late spring and early autumn are ideal, with warm air, fewer crowds and a full waterfall. Summer is great for swimming but busier, while winter suits travellers who mainly want scenery and a quieter pool.
What happens in bad weather?
The trip runs in light rain, and the order of the visits may be changed for safety. If conditions make the visit unsafe, we contact you to move your date or arrange a refund.
Is the Salto de la Novia worth visiting?
Yes. It is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Valencia region, with a legend, shady viewpoints and paths to both the base and the top of the falls.
How do I book and confirm?
Choose your option and date in the booking panel and send your request. Our team confirms your booking on WhatsApp within minutes and shares the meeting details.
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