Montanejos is a charming town that coexists with the surrounding nature and has spectacular natural spaces. It is a municipality located in the Region of Valencia, in the province of Castellón. This place in the Alto Mijares region is a place that invites you to disconnect, rest and get in touch with nature. This inland town is characterised by its wide variety of hiking routes and points of interest along the river Mijares. But without a doubt, one of the essential things to see in Montanejos, Spain, is its natural pools and springs.
This village is the ideal place for a weekend getaway, in search of tranquillity and visually stunning landscapes.
Things to see in Montanejos, Spain
Montanejos stands out for its rich nature, as well as the spectacular natural viewpoints where you can admire magnificent landscapes.
The path along the river Mijares
Starting from the village of Montanejos, you can find up to 10 different hiking routes that offer a long list of exceptional views. There is a great variety, suitable for all levels and tastes. All of them go through stunning nature where you can take a breath and enjoy the trek. One of the most famous and popular routes is the so-called Family Trail. This route starts in the village and covers a distance of 4.7 kilometres. This is a route suitable for all members of the family, that is not very steep. Also, it has a stop at the Cueva Negra and finally reaches the Chillapájaros strait.
The Black Cave
After a short walk from the start of the route, in the middle of a leafy forest, this cave known as Cueva Negra (Black Cave) stands out. It is a large cave, with an entrance measuring 26×10 metres. It has a large surface area, making it one of the largest caves in the Valencian Community. In addition, this cave is of great geological interest due to its layout. Formed by large blocks, the position they have adopted over the years has led to the formation of different galleries inside.
In addition, it has a black colour throughout the roof area, which is very striking. It is believed that this colour is due to the soot from ancient bonfires. It demonstrates the existence of human settlements in this cave. In fact, it is said that this cave was used as a shelter, as well as a place to keep livestock, by past populations. Both for its geological and archaeological importance, as well as for its appearance, this cave is one of the places to visit in Montanejos.
El Chorro de Montanejos, Spain
El Chorro is the reservoir of Montanejos, and this is probably the most characteristic point of this town. Also known as the Montanejos dam, Arenoso or Campos reservoir, its function is to retain the floodwaters of the river Mijares. Nevertheless, it offers a unique image of peace and calm, which makes every visitor stop to admire it. One can appreciate the beauty of the spectacular vertical limestone walls, which dominate the view. It is said that under its waters lie the now disappeared towns of Campos de Arenoso, as well as other villages.
Los Estrechos
Located between the town of Montanejos and the reservoir is the area known as Los Estrechos. It is a gorge about 25 metres wide, through which the river Mijares flows between vertical walls up to 100 metres high. Los estrechos is one of the most beautiful stretches of the river Mijares flows, a must-see in Montanejos. It is one of the most attractive and scenic spots in the town. Also, this place has several areas adapted for climbing that are known worldwide, which is very attractive for nature lovers.
In addition, a path called Sendero de Los Estrechos (Los Estrechos Path) has been created. It runs along the entire Los Estrechos riverbed through the mountain. This is a local path, and the round trip is over 8km. At present, the path starts at the descent to the river, located just to the right of the spa. It is another of the trails you must do in Montanejos, and perhaps one of the most beautiful in the region.
The Source of the Baths
The Fuente de Los Baños is a spring that has become one of the main attractions of the town. With a flow of approximately 6,000 litres per minute, its water was declared of public utility by Royal Order in 1863. In addition, it has great hydrogeochemical and biological properties, which have been considered very beneficial for health. With a constant temperature of 25ºC, it is ideal for bathing year round. The Fuente de Los Baños is the essential place to see in Montanejos. It is the soul and essence of this town.
Due to the shape of the Mijares riverbed in this area, you can see the formation of natural pools. This is a perfect place to rest and bathe, and is certainly a must-see in Montanejos.
To organize your trip we recommend using the Passporter app. Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers and choose the places that interest you by adding them to the route map. You can also keep important documents such as travel tickets or hotel reservations, among many other features, free of charge.
The Hermitage
It is located in the hamlet of La Alquería, within Montanejos. The Hermitage of the Virgen de Los Desamparados dates back to the 17th century. It is one of the points of interest to see in Montanejos village. This chapel stands out for its bell tower and portico.
It has a structure made up of small side chapels, concentrated in a single nave. Also, the tiles in the bell tower, are remarkable for their unquestionable beauty. They date from the second half of the 17th century. This is an essential spot to see in the area around Montanejos, Spain.
Bridge of San José
This bridge was built in 1803 over the river Montán and is another of the key points to see in the village of Montanejos. Built-in stone, it has a structure of three semicircular arches. There is a small irrigation channel running through it that carries water to La Alquería. Moreover, it is a point from which to observe the beautiful landscape of Montanejos integrated among the greenery.
The Mill
Situated on the banks of the river Mijares, next to the Poza del Machón, are the ruins of the old flour mill of Montanejos. It is a 19th-century mill that is currently being restored, but the external structure of the building has been kept intact. Also, this mill was not the only one in the region. It was annexed to a network of canalisations that throughout the year aided the distribution of water from the river Mijares. It is definitely worth stopping at this relic, which also provides a beautiful setting next to the Poza del Machón.
The Arab Tower
The Arab Tower is located in the middle of the village, integrated within the façade of the old Palace of the Counts of Vallterra. This building is a monument that has been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC) of the Valencian heritage. It has a circular floor plan and a cylindrical elevation, which is striking, standing out among the surrounding façades. Only the outer walls of this tower are preserved. Nevertheless, it is a place to stop along the way and appreciate this Islamic construction.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
Montanejos route map
Sign up to Passporter and use this Montanejos itinerary to organise your trip quickly and easily. You can also add important documents such as travel tickets, hotel reservations and even invite your friends to be part of the itinerary organisation. Using Passporter is free and will help you travel in a more organised way. You can register on the website or download the app to keep everything all in one place and in your pocket 🙂
What to eat in Montanejos Spain?
Montanejos, as a town in the Region of Valencia, has a wide variety of typical dishes that make a visit to this town an extraordinary experience. The traditional cuisine of Montanejos is characterised by recipes made for communities living in a mountainous environment. Some of the typical recipes to try in Montanejos are: la olla, la fridura, el potaje, homemade preserves, las gachas, as well as all the handmade products derived from pigs. It also is known for its mushrooms and olive oil.
As far as sweet recipes are concerned, it is worth mentioning the famous mantecados. Also very typical in this region are dulce de membrillo, pan quemao, monas de Pascua (Easter cakes) and pan de higo (fig bread). Another typical dish in Montanejos is almendras garrapiñadas (sugared almonds) and figs albardás. Of course, you can’t visit its incredible landscapes without first trying some of its charming dishes and sweets.
If you want to know what else you can do in the province of Castellón read our post: Things to see and do in Castellón
Where to eat in Montanejos Spain?
- L’Ermita is a traditional Spanish restaurant serving a wide variety of recipes, with excellent quality. Prices range from €11 – €26.
- Casa Palacio is considered one of the best restaurants in Montanejos and is one of the most popular among tourists and locals alike. They serve mainly meat dishes and cost around €15-30.
- San Jaime 35 is a restaurant serving traditional Spanish recipes. It has a very extensive menu, suitable for all tastes and types of diners. Prices are usually around €15 – €25.
Where to stay in Montanejos Spain?
- Casa Pradas is a traditional 19th century house located in the centre of the village of Montanejos, next to the church. The house can accommodate a maximum of 10 people and has spacious and bright rooms.
- Casa Rural La Plaza is an accommodation with a capacity of 13 people. It has a garden, covered swimming pool and barbecue. In addition, all rooms have views of the garden.
- Hotel Xauen is a 3-star hotel located 50 metres from the medicinal waters of Montanejos and features a gym and a spa with an indoor pool. It also has a restaurant serving traditional Alto Mijares cuisine. The price per night for two people is around €50.
How to organise what to see in Montanejos Spain?
If you don’t know how to organise your trip to Montanejos, download the Passporter app and we will help you.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the suggestions for the app.
- Add the stops that interest you most, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest that we indicate in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by day routes, according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes we present in the post).
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates according to your travel stops, restaurants and leisure activities.
- Make the necessary changes and you’re all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you have visited on your trip to the app to inspire other users.
If you have any doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.
Frequently asked questions
In Montanejos, summers are hot and mostly clear; winters are long, cold and partly cloudy. During the course of the year, the temperature generally varies from 2 °C to 28 °C and rarely drops below -3 °C or rises above 31 °C.
The hiking route of Fuentes de los Baños, is the one that goes through all the springs of Montanejos. First of all, it goes through La Poza del Machón to the right of the mill. Then, on the left, following the river Mijares, we arrive at the Fuente de los Baños pool and its 7 jets, where the route ends.
Yes, and it is a very common practice in this town. Rafting in Montanejos is recommended from 8 years of age, as this exciting descent is done on the river Mijares, a very safe river.
You can get to Montanejos by car, bus or train, taking the Cercanías train from Valencia to Caudiel.
If you go from Valencia, buses usually leave every Monday and Thursday at 10:00 am, from platform 6.
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