Magical Montanejos
Sure, Spain has nice beaches, but have you been to the mountains?
Montanejos is a small mountain village tucked away north of Valencia and is well-known for its hot springs that percolate into the Mijares River. After savoring a chilled bottle of Tempranillo after my arrival, I was eager to head to the springs the following morning.
The village of Montanejos rests in the middle of woodsy mountains and is home to 500 residents. It was originally occupied by Moors, and in addition to the nearby baths, there are structural remnants from the Islamic inhabitants in the town itself. One of the most notable is the Arab Tower, which was used as a watchtower and warehouse and is now integrated into the facade of the old palace.
Village of Montanejos in the Valencian Community
The baths were developed by a Moorish king in the 13th century, believing the medicinal properties of the water would keep his harem young and beautiful. Not much has changed; people still flock here to soak in the hot springs to cure what ails them and for overall well-being. To add to the natural splendor of Montanejos, a short hike from the baths is Cueva Negra (Black Cave), a massive cave where materials were discovered dating back to Neolithic times.
Cueva Negra near the village of Montanejos
After a 10-minute walk from the town along the river, I reached the baths. I couldn’t have dreamt up a more perfect place. They were the clearest waters I’d ever seen and a color I never have - It wasn’t turquoise, not quite green or blue, but a steely gray color with hues of all of the above. On my first day in the waters, a heart-shaped leaf drifted by as if to reassure me of the surrounding majesty. As I waded and began to explore, the surroundings revealed a truly magical nook with mossy waterfalls, cleverly hidden by mother nature behind rocks and tree limbs.
Leaf floating in the hot springs of Montanejos
The spring waters are roughly 25° Celsius (77° Fahrenheit) throughout the year. On a cool autumn day, the water felt warm and welcoming. My mind and body slipped into a blissful state as I drifted peacefully, surrounded by other-worldly rock formations and fairy-tale forests. It was a sublime and dreamy experience.
Entry point and view of the hot springs