Bulnes: Excursion with funicular and Cabrales cheese cave in the Picos de Europa

Bulnes is the star here: a tiny mountain village reached by an eight-minute underground funicular, with no road access and fine views toward Picu Urriellu. I like the way this outing pairs the dramatic Cares Gorge with a real taste of Asturian food, rather than treating the mountains as scenery viewed through a bus window.

I also like that the $81 price includes the funicular, private bus transfers, a guided visit to Bulnes, and the Cabrales cheese cave tasting. The drawback is the long travel day. You can spend about three hours getting to the funicular and another two and a half hours returning, and some English-language explanations may be brief when the tour runs in both Spanish and English.

Key points to know before you go

• The funicular runs underground: It takes about eight minutes and offers no mountain views during the ride.
• Bulnes has no road access: You reach the village by funicular, then explore its cobbled lanes and chapel on foot.
• The Cares Gorge comes first: Poncebos gives you a striking look at the starting point of the famous Cares Route.
• Lunch is not included: You receive guaranteed access to Bulnes for lunch, but you pay separately for food and drinks.
• Cabrales comes with cider: The cave visit ends with a tasting of the strong blue cheese and Asturian cider.
• English service can vary: The tour is offered in English and Spanish, but some cave information may be delivered through an iPad or quickly translated.

Why Bulnes makes this a memorable mountain outing

Bulnes is not a standard sightseeing stop. It is a small village tucked into the Picos de Europa, reached by a funicular that passes through the mountain rather than by a normal road. That odd little journey gives the day its character.

Once you arrive, you have time to walk through cobbled streets, see traditional houses, visit the chapel of Nuestra Señora de las Nieves, and make your way to a viewpoint facing Picu Urriellu, also known as Naranjo de Bulnes. The village is quiet, and there is no cell phone coverage. For an hour or so, you get a break from the constant ping of modern life.

I would not call Bulnes a place packed with sights. Its appeal is the setting, the scale, and the feeling that you have reached somewhere apart from the main road. You are not coming for a long list of monuments. You are coming to walk, look around, and enjoy the mountain air.

The excursion also includes Poncebos, where the Cares River has cut through steep rock to form the Cares Gorge. You will not hike the full Cares Route on this tour, but you can contemplate the gorge and see why the route is known as La Garganta Divina, or the Divine Gorge. This stop adds a strong natural opening before the more intimate village visit.

The journey to Poncebos and the Cares Gorge

The day begins at one of four possible pickup points: Cangas de Onís bus station, C. Uría 58, Panadería Manín, or Buendía Store in Oviedo. Check the exact meeting point when you book. That detail matters because the excursion covers a broad area and the wrong pickup point could cause a very early or very stressful start.

The bus ride toward Poncebos takes about three hours. That is a serious stretch of road time, especially for a day that can last eight to twelve hours. Still, the route follows the Cares River and passes mountain scenery and small rural villages. The views help break up the ride, and the bus keeps you from having to arrange several separate connections in a remote part of Asturias.

At Poncebos, the focus is the gorge and the entrance to the Cares Route. You will see steep rock walls shaped by the river and get a sense of the scale of the Picos de Europa. If you are expecting a full walking day through the gorge, adjust your plans. This excursion gives you a look at Poncebos, not a long hike along the famous trail.

I like this arrangement for two reasons. First, you see the dramatic approach to Bulnes before reaching the village itself. Second, you do not need to commit to a demanding mountain walk to enjoy one of the region’s best-known natural settings.

Riding the Bulnes funicular underground

At the lower station, you may have around 30 minutes of waiting or free time before the funicular. The ride itself lasts about eight minutes. It is technically a train pulled through the mountain by cable, so do not expect open-air views or a scenic cable-car journey.

That is worth knowing before you go. The funicular is interesting because of where it takes you, not because you can watch the peaks slide past your window. The entire ride is underground, and the mountain does the visual work once you emerge at Bulnes.

The funicular ticket is included in the $81 cost and is valued at $26.99. That helps the price make sense, especially since you also receive private bus transport and a guide. You avoid having to sort out the funicular separately, which is useful on a day with several moving parts.

People with mobility limitations should take the physical demands seriously. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. You will walk through a mountain village, use uneven or cobbled surfaces, and manage the funicular station and village paths.

Walking through Bulnes and finding Picu Urriellu

After the ride, you have guided time and free time in Bulnes. The exact rhythm may vary, but the outing allows roughly an hour for walking and viewing the village. That is enough to get your bearings, see the main features, and stop for lunch if you choose.

The chapel of Nuestra Señora de las Nieves is a small but charming point of interest. Traditional houses and cobbled streets give Bulnes its local character, while the lack of mobile coverage helps preserve its quiet mood. You may find the village itself more appealing than any single sight within it.

The viewpoint toward Picu Urriellu is the main visual reward. The peak, often called Naranjo de Bulnes, is an important symbol of Spanish mountaineering. You do not need to be a climber to appreciate it. From the village, it gives the surrounding mountains a clear focal point and makes the stop feel connected to the wider Picos de Europa.

Lunch is not included, but the tour guarantees access to Bulnes for lunch. That wording is useful: you have the chance to eat there, but food and drinks cost extra. Bring comfortable shoes and clothing suited to the weather. Mountain conditions can change, and a long day feels much better when your feet and clothing are up to it.

The tour then returns by funicular, followed by a short bus ride of about 30 minutes toward the cheese visit. Keep in mind that Bulnes is not a place for a rushed photo stop. Its value comes from slowing down, even though the wider schedule is fairly full.

Learning how Cabrales cheese is made

The next major stop is Arenas de Cabrales, also called Las Arenas in the schedule. Here you visit a Cabrales cheese cave and learn how this famous Asturian cheese is made.

Cabrales is a strong blue cheese with a firm connection to the local mountains. The cave visit adds useful context because you are not simply handed a sample with no explanation. You see how a traditional food is tied to the area, its methods, and its long-standing rural culture.

The cave portion lasts about an hour, including the guided visit and tasting. This is a good counterpoint to Bulnes. The village shows you how people lived in the mountain setting, while the cheese stop shows you how local producers turn that setting into a food with a clear identity.

English-language service deserves a practical note. The excursion offers English and Spanish guiding, but the cave presentation may be conducted mainly in Spanish. English-speaking visitors may receive an iPad with translated text. If the Spanish explanation moves quickly, it can be hard to read everything while following along.

That does not make the stop pointless, but it can affect how much you get from the educational part. If the details of cheese production are a major reason for booking, confirm the language arrangements before you go. If your main goal is to see the cave and taste the cheese, the visit should still work well.

Cabrales cheese and Asturian cider at the finish

The tasting is a simple but effective ending. You try Cabrales cheese with authentic Asturian cider, a pairing that reflects the region better than a generic snack would.

Cabrales has a bold flavor, so this is not the mildest tasting on a sightseeing day. I like that the tour lets you try the cheese in the place where its tradition belongs. The cider gives you another local flavor and makes the stop feel connected to Asturias rather than added as an afterthought.

Food and drinks beyond the stated tasting are not included. That means you should budget separately for lunch in Bulnes and any extra refreshments. Since the tour can last up to twelve hours, do not assume the cheese tasting will replace a proper meal.

The final bus ride back takes around two and a half hours. Depending on your starting point and traffic, the full day can feel long. The upside is that your transport is arranged from beginning to end, so you can rest instead of driving mountain roads after a full day outside.

Is $81 a fair price?

For an eight to twelve-hour excursion, $81 is reasonable if you want an organized day rather than a do-it-yourself plan. The fee includes round-trip private bus transport, an expert guide, the Bulnes funicular ticket valued at $26.99, a guided Bulnes visit, and the cheese cave with tasting.

The largest part of the value is convenience. You do not need to coordinate a regional bus, find Poncebos, buy a funicular ticket, arrange a cave visit, and work out the return journey. In a mountain region, that simplicity has real worth.

The price is less attractive if you prefer to spend most of your day hiking or exploring at your own pace. The schedule includes substantial bus travel and fixed transfers. You also pay extra for lunch and other drinks.

A guide can add a lot here, especially on the road between stops. The excursion is offered in English and Spanish. Santiago, one of the guides associated with the experience, has been praised for clear communication and for making the day interesting. Since guide assignments can vary, treat that as a possibility rather than a guarantee.

Who should book this excursion?

I would recommend it to you if you have one day for the Picos de Europa and want several distinct experiences: gorge views, a remote-feeling village, a mountain peak, and local cheese and cider.

It suits first-time visitors who do not want to drive, people who enjoy scenic road trips, and anyone curious about Asturian food traditions. It also works well for you if you like a guided framework but still want free time to walk around Bulnes.

You may want to skip it if your priority is a serious hike. The tour visits Poncebos and the Cares Gorge, but it does not give you a full day on the Cares Route. You may also find the trip tiring if long bus journeys are difficult for you.

The English service is another factor. The main guide may provide English explanations, but some stops can move between Spanish and English, and the cheese cave may rely partly on written translation. If you need every detail delivered slowly in English, ask about that before booking.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and the option to reserve without paying immediately make the booking less rigid. Just verify your pickup point, start time, and language before committing.

FAQ

How long does the Bulnes and Cabrales cheese excursion last?

The excursion lasts between eight and twelve hours, depending on the departure option and schedule.

Where can I start the tour?

The available starting points are Cangas de Onís bus station, C. Uría 58, Panadería Manín, and Buendía Store in Oviedo. Your exact meeting point depends on the option you book.

Is the Bulnes funicular ticket included?

Yes. The round-trip funicular ticket is included, with a stated value of $26.99.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. You have guaranteed access to Bulnes for lunch, but lunch and additional food or drinks are not included.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English and Spanish. Some content may remain in its original language, and the cheese cave explanation may use an iPad for English translation.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. Comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended.

Should you book it?

Book this excursion if you want a full, well-organized day that combines the Picos de Europa with a distinctly Asturian food experience. The funicular, Bulnes, Picu Urriellu views, Cares Gorge, Cabrales cheese, and cider give you a broad introduction to the area for $81.

Go in knowing that the day includes a lot of bus time, no scenic view from inside the funicular, extra cost for lunch, and potentially rushed English translation at the cheese cave. If those limits suit you, this is a practical way to reach Bulnes and taste the region without arranging the pieces yourself.