Underground Rivers and the Thermal Springs of Montanejos

Wear comfortable clothes and footwear, and take sun cream with you, as there will be a lot of walking in natural areas.
In summer, you should also bring a swimming costume for the natural pools. If you do the route in winter, bring a warm coat because in the mountain areas and surrounding villages the temperature drops a lot at night, and it can even snow.

The first stop on the route is in Vall de Uxo to discover one of the natural wonders of the Valencian Community.
Leave the car in the car park and walk less than five minutes to reach the caves.

These caves are famous for having the longest navigable underground river in Europe.
The walk is a real marvel. A major part of the tour is done in a boat where you can see stalactites and stalagmites thousands of years old illuminated by LED lights. The other part of the tour is on foot as long as the water flow of the river allows it.
Both for adults but especially for children, it is a unique visit, which you will only be able to repeat in very few parts of Europe due to its characteristics.
It is advisable to buy your ticket in advance on the official website of the cave of Sant Josep. Check the times and places available at the moment of booking.

The visit to the cave can be complemented with a visit to the archaeological site. It is located on the top of a hill, where the remains of the Iberian and Roman civilisation, dominant in the region between the 6th and 2nd centuries B.C. and the 4th and 5th centuries, are displayed in the open air.
Most of what can be seen are the remains of the walls and some street structures. Excavations are continuing, and the site will be extended in the coming years.
Apart from its historical interest, from the site there are views of the valley of the river Belcaire with its lush vegetation.
Open Hours: All days: 10:00 - 17:00.
After the visit to the site, return to the car park (5 minutes) to continue on the road to Onda.

Second stop in Onda to climb to the highest part of the town and visit the castle.

This castle was the protagonist of several wars that included a momentary victory of the army commanded by Cid Campeador against the Arabs and even, more recently, the Spanish Civil War. It is known as the castle of the 300 towers (although it certainly doesn't have that many).
Located at the top of Onda, what remains unchanged is its outer wall with its towers on the hill. Inside there are only vestiges and the church and school of the Carmelite nuns built later, where a video explaining the history and legends of the fortress is shown.
If you look over the towers and walls, you can see the village of Onda below and even the beautiful Sierra de Espada mountain range.
Opening times vary according to the time of year and the day of the visit. Check opening times on the official tourism website of Onda.

Located on the main square, it has outdoor tables under the arcades of the historic buildings surrounding the square or the dining room inside. You eat surrounded by a historic site and great atmosphere.
It is a good place for tapas, raciones or the typical molletes, a spongy white bread to which you can add different ingredients such as olive oil, tomato, sausages, or meat. All the food is homemade.
Please note that La Cantina is closed on Tuesdays.

While having lunch in the restaurant, it is a good moment to contemplate the main square of Onda, surrounded by narrow and low historic buildings with the characteristic arcades in the lower part.
In the centre of the square there is a fountain which adds to the charm of the place.
After lunch and a visit to the main square of Onda, a 15-minute walk to the car park to pick up the car.

At the side of the CV-20 road there is a large car park where you can leave your car and walk to the Baños fountain in a matter of minutes.

A short asphalted path along the river Mijares leads us to the hot springs known as Fuentes de los Baños.
No matter what time of the year you go, the temperature of the river water in this natural pool from which thermal waters emanate remains constant at 25 degrees, so you can bathe even in winter.
The landscape surrounding the hot springs is worth admiring, a gorge through which the crystal-clear water of the Mijares river flows.
After the visit to the hot springs, it is a five-minute walk to the car park to pick up your car.

The gorge through which the river Mijares flows narrows at times, creating spectacular scenery where the high rocky walls mixed with the green of the trees and the turquoise of the river water create a landscape to admire.
If you are up for it, you can even practice water sports such as kayaking or canoeing.
There is a small car park next to the viewpoint, before passing the tunnel. From here you have views of the strait.

Just a few kilometres along the Mijares river by car along the road and you reach another attraction. Leave your car in the car park next to the tunnel and walk a few minutes.

The gorge of the river widens. In the high rocky walls a spillway of the Arenoso reservoir, located less than a kilometre away, was built, from where a very strong stream of water flows into the river.
The humidity caused by the stream generates the growth of lush vegetation that covers the rocky wall with green.
Watch out! If you get close to the stream you will probably get too wet. In summer, it is a good way to cool off naturally!
It takes 20 minutes to get back to the car park after visiting this peculiar landscape.

Time to return to the village of Montanejos for dinner and sleep. In this restaurant, you have the option of having a quick dinner of tapas, portions and pizzas or eating elaborate dishes such as meat, fish, and seafood.
On summer days, it has an outdoor terrace for outdoor dining. It also has two closed rooms. Excellent value for money.
In front of the restaurant, there is a place to park the car on the street.

Modern hotel with rooms overlooking the river Mijares. It has an indoor swimming pool with large windows for bathing with views of the mountains.
It also has a restaurant and bar with chill out area overlooking the river, and a spa to relax after a walk through the village or the Baños fountain.