Natural Pools Near Valencia: 6 Rivers to Cool Off

When the city tips past 35 degrees and the beach is packed, the Valencian interior offers another way to cool down: natural pools near Valencia, carved by mountain rivers into clear water swimming holes between the rock. Within ninety minutes by car there are gorges, waterfalls and deep pools where the water runs cold even in August. This guide gathers the best rivers and pools for a swim: how to reach each one, what to bring, and what makes it different.

The best rivers and swimming holes

Pou Clar (Ontinyent)

The great classic. The Clariano river has carved a chain of linked pools on the edge of Ontinyent, in the Vall d'Albaida (about 85 km away). Pou Clar is ideal for swimming proper lengths, and in the deeper pools like the Pou dels Cavalls some visitors take the plunge from the rocks. Arrive early: parking fills up at weekends and the sun beats straight down by midday.

Chulilla and the Turia canyon

Just over an hour away (around 60 km northwest), Chulilla is a village perched beneath an Arab castle and wrapped by the Turia canyon. The Hanging Bridges route threads through vertiginous gorges, and around the Loriguilla reservoir and the river pools the water runs a deep turquoise. It pairs a hike with a swim, so bring closed shoes for the trail.

Gorgo de la Escalera (Anna)

Boxed in by rock walls, the Gorgo de la Escalera is a shady gorge of waterfalls and pools on Anna's three-falls route. The shaded setting keeps the water genuinely cold, which makes it perfect for the most stifling days. It is small and gets crowded fast, so go midweek or first thing in the morning.

Los Chorradores de Navarrés

The most tropical corner on this list. At Los Chorradores de Navarrés, two waterfalls drop over turquoise pools between walls draped in moss and ferns, with an almost Balinese feel. The circular trail is short and easy, fine for families with kids, and the flow is fullest in spring and early summer.

More swimming holes in the province

• The Júcar river around Cofrentes and Cortes de Pallás: wide pools and deep water, best for confident swimmers.
• Charco Negro (Cabriel river): clean water and a protected setting in the Hoces del Cabriel reserve.
• Fuente de los Baños (Montanejos): technically over the Castellón line, but the water surfaces at 25 degrees year-round and is worth the drive.

How to get there and when to go

Almost all of these spots sit 60-90 km from Valencia and are far easier to reach by car: public transport into the interior is sparse and impractical for a swimming day. Set off before 9:30 to find parking, especially from June to September. Weekdays change everything: pools that feel like a public swimming bath on a Saturday are nearly empty on a Tuesday. Avoid days under a storm warning, as these riverbeds can rise quickly.

Getting there by car: routes and parking

A car is the most comfortable option and, in practice, the only sensible way to string several pools together in a single day. From Valencia, the spots in the Canal de Navarrés (Anna, Navarrés) and the Vall d'Albaida (Ontinyent) are reached via the A-7 and the CV-40 in roughly an hour; Chulilla lies northwest via the A-3 and then secondary roads such as the CV-35 towards Losa del Obispo. Bear three things in mind: many car parks are unpaved dirt clearings with no shade, in summer some town halls limit access or charge a few euros per space to manage the crowds, and mobile coverage drops out in the canyons, so download your directions offline before you set off. If you don't drive, one alternative is to take a Cercanías train to a county town and cover the last stretch by taxi or carpool, though it costs you flexibility. For more inland trip ideas, take a look at our routes and the nearby villages.

The best time of year to swim

The useful season runs from late May to mid-September, but each stretch has its own character. In spring and early summer the flow is fuller and waterfalls like those at Navarrés are at their best, though the water is still cold. In July and August the swim is most rewarding at midday, but that's exactly when the pools fill up: get there early or go midweek. In early autumn both the temperatures and the crowds drop, and you'll have the spots almost to yourself, albeit with already-cool water. Always skip swimming after heavy rain or under a weather warning: a sudden surge in a narrow gorge is the most serious risk in these places.

Budget: an almost-free day out

A river swim is one of the cheapest plans of the Valencian summer. Entry to the pools is free; the real cost is fuel and, at most, a small parking fee where one is charged. If you pack your own food, a day for two can come in under 25-30 euros all in. To squeeze the most out of the day without spending, pair it with other free things to do in the area, and save your money only for a good set lunch in the village on the way back.

What to bring to a natural pool

• Water shoes or aqua socks: the rock is slippery and the bottom is usually pebbly.
• Food and drinking water: most spots have no bar or drinkable fountain nearby.
• A bag for your rubbish: these are wild places with no bins; whatever comes in leaves with you.
• Hat, sunscreen and a dry change of clothes: shade is scarce at the open pools.
• A camera or a phone in a waterproof case: mid-morning light on the turquoise water is the best for photos.

What to combine it with

A river swim pairs well with plenty of other plans. The simplest option is to pair the swim with a hike: Chulilla's hanging-bridges route or Anna's three-falls trail take a morning and end right by the water. You can also link two nearby pools, such as Los Chorradores and the Gorgo de la Escalera, both in the Canal de Navarrés. Mid-afternoon, ease off with a long lunch in the village: these inland towns cook rice dishes and slow-simmered stews well worth your time, and our food section has pointers. If you like quieter places, cross this list with the province's lesser-known spots to track down swimming holes barely anyone reaches.

Going with kids and swimming safely

Several of these pools are perfect for families, but it pays to choose carefully. Los Chorradores de Navarrés and the calmer stretches of Pou Clar have shallow areas where children can play happily; the deep waters of the Júcar or the more enclosed pools, by contrast, call for confident swimmers. Always watch little ones near the water, never jump from rocks without checking the depth first, and remember that the uneven bottom and algae make water shoes a sensible idea for everyone. If you'd rather have a more controlled option with sand and a lifeguard, our beaches are the plan B for days you're unsure.

Enjoy it, leave no trace

These pools stay beautiful because people look after them. Don't use soap or lotions in the water, don't move stones from the walls or the falls, and respect the wildlife that lives in the riverbed. Always check the depth before you jump: every summer there are scares from dives into pools shallower than they look.

Frequently asked questions

Which natural pool is closest to Valencia?

Among the big ones, Chulilla is one of the nearest, about 60 km and just over an hour by car. The spots in the Canal de Navarrés and Anna sit at a similar distance, while the Pou Clar in Ontinyent takes a little more driving (about 85 km).

Can you get there by public transport?

With difficulty. The interior has very few connections and the timetables don't fit a full-day swimming plan. The practical choice is to drive or carpool; the train only drops you in county towns, far from the pools.

Is the water very cold in summer?

It depends on the spot. Shady gorges like the Gorgo de la Escalera keep the water cold even in August, which is exactly their appeal. The Fuente de los Baños in Montanejos, on the other hand, surfaces warm at around 25 degrees all year.

Do you have to pay to get in?

The pools are free and open to all. There may only be a small parking fee in some towns during the busiest months, as a way to manage overcrowding.

If you want to extend the trip, many of these villages hold festivals and markets in summer: check the Valencia events agenda to pair a swim with a concert, an open-air dance or a food fair on the same weekend.