Did you know there are thermal springs just over an hour inland from Valencia that locals swear will make you look younger? Sounds like a wild claim, right? We’d been trying to make this trip to Montanejos thermal springs happen for a year. One plan after another fell through – until this week. And honestly… it was worth every second of the wait.
We were picked up at 9.30 from the University area in Valencia. Not an early start, which was ideal, and an hour later the city had vanished. Mountains everywhere, roads hugging the edge of great valleys and gorges, the windows providing continuous views of sheer rugged beauty.
Our first stop was Montanejos village. Tiny, quiet, just a few streets with shutters half-open and locals moving slowly. We grabbed coffee, nothing fancy – just strong and hot, and sat there breathing the mountain air and soaking in the views from the panoramic viewpoint.
The hike started straight after coffee. Five kilometres of winding trails, climbing and dropping along dusty paths, the water never far away. Then came the Black Cave, tucked into the side of a ridge – dark, dripping, and noticeably cooler than anywhere we’d been that day. From the outside, it looked unremarkable, but stepping inside was a surprise. The scale of it was enormous, towering like a stone cathedral. We climbed deeper, into a narrow chamber that could barely fit our group. There were no bats in sight this time, but this cave is home to a huge colony – the bat being Valencia’s own emblem of course!
Further along, the trail opened up to views that didn’t look real. Deep blue reservoirs. Pools hidden under rock ledges. A tranquil stillness that you could only get in the middle of nowhere. We took our time to admire the views then kept moving, the heat on our backs, legs burning a bit… in a good way of course.
By mid afternoon, we hit the thermal springs. A narrow path down into the gorge, then suddenly the valley swallows you whole – jagged walls, water glowing turquoise, 25 degrees year-round. No shock or sharp intake of breath, just perfectly pleasant water enveloping us. There’s a local myth that the water at Montanejos thermal springs makes you appear younger. I can’t tell you about that personally, but it does strip something off you. Stress, noise, hassles. They all vanish as soon as you slip into those velvet waters.
We left around 4:30pm, hair still damp, legs scratched from the trail, tired in the best possible way. We were back in Valencia for sunset, the most magical time of the day in this majestic city.
What to pack for Monanejos:
- Swimwear – The hot springs are the star of the show. Pack something you don’t mind getting wet, and maybe a quick-dry towel.
- Water shoes – The riverbed is rocky and can be slippery. Trust me, your feet will thank you.
- A refillable water bottle – There’s plenty of hiking and exploring to do, and the sun hits hard. Plus, there are fountains where you can drink the water, so why not indulge?
- Snacks or a picnic – While there are cafés in the town, having something easy to munch on by the water is bliss. Just be sure to clear away all rubbish and leftover food before you leave.
- A light jacket – It can get cooler by the river later in the day outside of the hotter months.
- Sun protection – SPF, sunglasses, and a hat at a minimum. The sun is relentless out here.
What not to bring:
- Heavy bags – You’ll be hopping between swimming and walking, so keep it light.
- Valuables – It’s not the place to bring all your gadgets. A phone for photos is fine, but leave anything precious back in Valencia.
- Massive pool floats – They look fun but take up too much space in the natural pools (and you’ll get some serious side-eye from locals).
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