Excursion to Picos de Europa : Bulnes, funicular and cheese Cabrales

The best part of this full-day outing is the switch from bus to funicular, carrying you into Bulnes, a tiny mountain village that is otherwise difficult to reach. You also get a cheese-cave visit and a tasting of Cabrales cheese with Asturian cider, so the day mixes mountain scenery with local food.

I like the private bus transport, which saves you from piecing together rural connections, and I like the built-in time for both Bulnes and Arenas de Cabrales. The main drawback is the length: at about 12 hours, this is a big day with several stops, and lunch is not included.

Key points to know before booking

• Bulnes by funicular: Your return funicular ticket is included, with a stated value of €22.16.
• Cabrales tasting: The cheese-cave tour includes a tasting of Cabrales cheese and Asturian cider.
• Guide-led village visit: You receive a guided tour of Bulnes, plus free time to look around and eat.
• Cares Gorge views: Part of the journey includes a panoramic bus ride through the Cares Gorge.
• Maximum group size: The bus can carry up to 54 people, so this is not a private or small-group mountain outing.
• Flexible cancellation: You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.

Why this day trip works from Gijón

The Picos de Europa are not an easy place to explore without your own car. Roads are winding, public transport options are limited, and the most interesting stops sit well beyond the city. This excursion takes care of the main transport problem with a private bus and gives you a local guide for the mountain villages.

At $83.48 per person, the price is reasonable if you plan to use the included funicular, guided visits, and tasting. The value is not just the ride from Gijón. You are paying for a long day of transport, a guide, a return funicular ticket, a cheese-cave visit, and a food tasting.

Still, you should be clear about the format. This is a large organized outing, with a maximum of 54 people. It offers ease and coverage rather than a quiet, highly personal mountain experience. I would choose it if you want to see the Picos without driving. I would not choose it if you prefer a slow day with no fixed schedule.

The tour is offered in English, and a guide named Santiago has been specifically associated with this route. Guide assignments can vary, but the role matters here. You will be moving through several places in one day, so a good guide helps keep the group together and explains what you are seeing.

Poncebos begins the mountain day

The first major stop is Poncebos, described as the arrival point and the place where you ascend and descend to Bulnes. You have about two hours assigned here as part of the transfer and funicular arrangements.

Poncebos is less about sightseeing on its own and more about changing the pace of the day. The bus brings you into the mountain area, then the funicular becomes the key link to Bulnes. I like this arrangement because you do not have to work out the mountain transport yourself.

Your return funicular ticket is included. That is important because the ticket has a stated value of €22.16, making the package more useful than a basic scenic bus ride. Keep in mind that the funicular gets you to and from Bulnes, but it does not include lunch or personal purchases.

Bulnes gives the excursion its character

Bulnes is the heart of the outing. You receive a guided tour of the village and then free time to explore. The total time allocated is about three hours, which gives you more than a quick photo stop.

I like the balance here. The guide gives you an introduction, so you are not simply dropped off with no context. Then you have time to look around at your own pace, take photographs, and find lunch.

The village is described as picturesque, but the practical point is more useful: you are guaranteed access to Bulnes for lunch, though the meal itself is not included. That removes some uncertainty in a place reached by funicular, but you still need to budget separately for food.

Do not treat the free time as an open-ended mountain walk. The published plan does not specify a hiking route, walking distance, or difficulty level. You should follow the guide’s timing and return arrangements rather than assume you can wander far from the village.

The three-hour stop may feel generous to some people and short to others. If you want a calm meal and plenty of unhurried time, the schedule may feel tight. If your main goal is to see Bulnes and experience the funicular, it gives you a useful amount of time without turning the day into a strenuous trek.

The Cabrales cave adds a local taste

After Poncebos, the bus continues to Arenas de Cabrales. Here, you take a guided tour of a Cabrales cheese cave, followed by a tasting of Cabrales cheese and Asturian cider.

This is more than a snack stop. Cabrales is one of the region’s best-known food products, and the cave visit explains the setting behind the cheese before you taste it. I like the order: first see the production space, then try the food.

The cheese can have a strong flavor, so this part will not appeal equally to everyone. The tasting is brief compared with a full meal, but it gives you a clear local experience and a change of mood after the mountain portion of the day.

The scheduled time in Arenas de Cabrales is about two hours. That includes the transfer and the guided cave visit, so do not expect a long food workshop or an extended market visit. You get a focused introduction, a tasting, and a chance to enjoy cider.

For me, this is one of the smartest parts of the itinerary. The Picos section is about views and access. The Cabrales section connects the area to its food traditions. It also gives the day a gentler finish than a full day spent only on mountain roads.

The Cares Gorge comes through the bus window

The route includes a panoramic bus ride through the Cares Gorge, with about two hours assigned to the journey toward the visitable points. This means the gorge is experienced from the road rather than through a stated walking excursion.

That distinction matters. You will see the gorge as part of the drive, but the information provided does not promise a hike along the Cares Gorge. If you are booking because you want to walk the famous route, this excursion may not meet that goal.

The bus ride does, however, let you see more of the area without adding another physical activity to an already long day. You can watch for changing views through the windows and listen to the guide as the route continues.

Because the group can reach 54 people, getting a good window position may matter to you. The tour is not designed around individual photo stops at every bend. It is a moving scenic section within a broader itinerary.

The Naranjo de Bulnes viewpoints cap the day

The itinerary includes a stop at the Mirador Naranjo de Bulnes, with about one hour for those who want to climb to the highest area and enjoy the viewpoint. It also lists Naranjo de Bulnes as the highest place tourists can access, with another hour allocated.

The wording suggests that the viewpoint is optional in part. You should be prepared for some uphill movement if you want the highest views. The exact path, surface, and difficulty are not provided, so I would not assume this is suitable for every physical ability.

This is a good place to keep your expectations practical. You may get the finest views of the day here, but the schedule allows only limited time. Stay aware of the guide’s instructions and the departure time. A missed return connection would create a serious problem on a long organized route.

The two viewpoint sections also make the day more varied. You are not simply visiting one village and returning. You see the mountain area from the bus, from Bulnes, and from a higher viewpoint. That variety helps justify the long duration.

What is included, and what you still pay for

The package includes:

• Transportation by private bus
• An expert local guide
• A return funicular ticket
• A guided Cabrales cheese-cave visit
• Cabrales cheese and Asturian cider tasting
• A guided visit to Bulnes
• Guaranteed access to Bulnes for lunch

Lunch is the main extra cost stated in the tour details. You should also expect to pay for any personal purchases or additional food, though those costs are not specified.

The included funicular ticket gives the price a real boost. At €22.16, it covers a major part of the day that you might otherwise need to arrange separately. The €5 cheese-cave visit is also included, along with the tasting.

I would judge the price by the total convenience rather than by the bus ride alone. For someone based in Gijón without a car, the package saves planning time and combines several regional highlights. For someone already driving through the Picos, the value may be less clear, since a self-planned visit could offer more freedom.

Group size and pace: the tradeoff

A maximum of 54 people is a significant detail. Large groups make the price more accessible, but they also create a fixed rhythm. You may need to wait for people at meeting points, and the guide must keep everyone moving through a long sequence of stops.

A past booking connected to this experience was canceled five days before departure because of a vehicle problem. A separate access problem involving fires also affected plans in the area. These events do not define every departure, but they show why mountain conditions and transport arrangements can matter. If this is a key day of your holiday, avoid placing it immediately before an important flight or train.

The positive side is that the route is planned from pickup through return. One account specifically praised the organization, the guide Santiago, and the way everyone was accounted for. That kind of oversight is valuable on a 12-hour outing with multiple transfers.

Who should book this Picos de Europa outing

I would recommend it to you if:

• You are staying in Gijón and do not want to drive.
• You want Bulnes, the funicular, and Cabrales in one day.
• You prefer a guide-led schedule.
• You enjoy local food as much as mountain scenery.
• You are comfortable with a long day and a large group.
• You want included transport and prearranged access to Bulnes.

I would be more cautious if you want a serious hike, a small group, or lots of time in one place. The route includes scenic views, but the supplied details do not promise a walking tour of the Cares Gorge or a demanding trail in the Picos.

The experience also suits solo visitors well. You do not need to coordinate rural buses or find your way through the funicular arrangements alone. A guide such as Santiago can help with timing and group organization, which takes pressure off a complicated day.

Cancellation and practical booking points

You receive confirmation when you book, and the activity is offered with a mobile ticket. Most people can participate, and the maximum group size is 54.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted. The tour also requires a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

I would book early if this is important to your Gijón plans. The average booking lead time is 42 days, which suggests that people often reserve well before the day itself. That is especially sensible during busy periods, when mountain transport and large-group departures can fill.

Should you book it?

Book this excursion if you want an efficient first look at the Picos de Europa, with Bulnes, the funicular, the Cares Gorge, a viewpoint, and Cabrales tasting all tied together. The included transport and funicular ticket make the $83.48 price fair for a visitor without a car.

Skip it if your priority is a relaxed meal, a long hike, or a small personal tour. The day is ambitious and tightly timed, and lunch is extra. For the right person, though, it is a practical way to reach Bulnes and taste the region without wrestling with mountain transport.

FAQ

Where does the excursion start?

The tour is based in Gijón, Spain. The itinerary then continues by private bus to Poncebos, Bulnes, Arenas de Cabrales, the Cares Gorge, and the Naranjo de Bulnes viewpoints.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 12 hours.

Is the funicular ticket included?

Yes. The return trip by funicular is included, with a stated value of €22.16.

Is lunch included?

No. You receive guaranteed access to Bulnes for lunch, but the cost of lunch is not included.

What food and drink are included?

The tour includes a tasting of Cabrales cheese and Asturian cider after the guided cheese-cave visit.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

How large can the group be?

The activity can have a maximum of 54 participants.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded.