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

Bulnes is a mountain village you reach by an eight-minute underground funicular, not by road. That odd little journey leads to stone lanes, quiet mountain views, and a high viewpoint facing Picu Urriellu. I like the contrast between the dramatic Cares Gorge at Poncebos and the calm pace of Bulnes. I also like that the day ends with Cabrales cheese and cider, two very local tastes rather than a generic snack.

The main drawback is the amount of time spent on the bus. Depending on your starting point and the day’s schedule, this is an 8 to 12-hour outing, and the English commentary may be shorter than the Spanish commentary. At the cheese cave, some English speakers may use an iPad for translation, so this tour suits you best if you value the full-day route more than constant spoken commentary.

Key points to know before booking

• Bulnes has no road access: The funicular runs through the mountain and takes about eight minutes.
• Poncebos delivers the big scenery: You stop near the Cares Gorge and the Cares River, with views of the canyon walls.
• Picu Urriellu is the village view to seek: Walk up to the viewpoint in Bulnes for a look at one of Spain’s best-known peaks.
• Lunch is your responsibility: The tour guarantees access to Bulnes for lunch, but food and extra drinks cost more.
• The final tasting is genuinely local: Cabrales cheese is paired with Asturian cider at the cheese cave visit.
• English and Spanish are offered: The quality of spoken translation can vary by stop, so ask your guide for clarification when needed.

Why the underground ride makes Bulnes special

The funicular is the tour’s most unusual piece of transport. It runs below the mountain, pulled along a track, and takes roughly eight minutes. You will not get the open mountain views you might expect from a cable car. Think of it as a short underground train ride that solves the practical problem of reaching a village once cut off from road traffic.

That distinction matters. The ride itself is brief, but it brings you to a place with a slower feel than the main valley roads. Bulnes has cobbled lanes, traditional houses, and a small chapel dedicated to Nuestra Señora de las Nieves. There is no cell phone coverage, which can be either a welcome break or a nuisance if you need to stay connected.

The village is small enough to explore on foot during the allotted free time. You will have a guided visit as well as time to wander, take photographs, and find a place for lunch. The tour does not include lunch, but it guarantees access to Bulnes for the meal, a useful detail on a busy full-day route.

Poncebos and the Cares Gorge

The coach heads toward Poncebos along the course of the Cares River. This is one of the strongest parts of the day for scenery, even though the stop is not a full walk along the famous Cares Route.

Poncebos marks the beginning of the route often called the Divine Gorge. The river has cut a narrow canyon between steep rock walls, creating the kind of mountain view that rewards a short pause even if you are not planning a hike. You can look into the gorge, follow the river with your eyes, and get a feel for why this part of the Picos de Europa attracts walkers and climbers.

Be clear about what is included. You are visiting the starting area and taking in the views, not completing the entire Cares hike. That makes the stop suitable for you if you want a scenic introduction without committing to a long trek. Comfortable shoes still matter, since the tour includes walking in Bulnes and around the stops.

The road journey also gives you changing views of the Picos and small rural villages. The long transfer is not wasted, but it is still a long transfer. From Oviedo, the time on the bus can be considerable, and the full day may stretch toward the longer end of the 8 to 12-hour range.

Walking through Bulnes village

Once you arrive, Bulnes feels compact and quiet. Its stone buildings and narrow lanes give you a clear sense of a mountain settlement shaped by its setting. The tour guide helps you understand what you are seeing, while free time lets you move at your own pace.

I would make the viewpoint your first priority. The walk up gives you the best chance to see Picu Urriellu, also called Naranjo de Bulnes. This peak is an important symbol for Spanish mountaineers, and even a brief view helps explain its place in local outdoor culture.

The chapel of Nuestra Señora de las Nieves is another easy stop. It is small, simple, and part of the village’s character rather than a major monument. Bulnes works best when you appreciate modest details: stone walls, mountain silence, and a place where mobile coverage disappears.

Do not expect a large village with many choices. The appeal is its scale and isolation. You may find the natural setting more interesting than the buildings themselves, especially if you have already visited mountain villages elsewhere in Asturias. The guide’s explanation adds value because it gives context to a place that could otherwise take only a short time to see.

Lunch and free time in the mountains

Lunch is not part of the $81 price, so plan to pay separately for your meal and any drinks. The schedule gives you access to Bulnes for lunch, but the supplied details do not specify a set restaurant, menu, or amount of free time for eating.

That flexibility can work well. You can choose how much time to spend eating, taking photos, or walking toward the viewpoint. It also means you should not assume that the tasting later in the day replaces lunch. The cheese and cider are a finish to the tour, not a full meal.

The itinerary includes free time and a guided tour in Bulnes, with around an hour listed for walking and visits. Timing can shift because the excursion also includes bus transfers and funicular arrangements. Keep your plans for the evening loose, especially if you are joining from Oviedo.

The Cabrales cheese cave in Arenas

After Bulnes, the route continues to Arenas de Cabrales, where the Cueva del Queso presents the local cheese-making tradition. This gives the day a useful change of pace. The morning is about rock, river, and village life; the afternoon turns to food and production.

Inside the cheese cave visit, you learn how Cabrales is made using a traditional method passed from one generation to the next. The cave setting connects the product to the local area instead of treating it as a cheese tasting with no background. You get an explanation of how an important Asturian food is produced, followed by the chance to taste it.

The cave visit itself is listed as lasting about an hour, including the guided presentation and tasting. Some of the spoken content may be in Spanish first, with English support afterward. At this stop, English-speaking participants may be given an iPad to read translated material. If you need more time with the translation, tell the guide rather than trying to follow a fast explanation while reading.

The tasting is the payoff. Cabrales has a strong character, so it is not the safest choice if you prefer mild cheeses. Asturian cider helps balance the cheese and gives you a direct taste of two regional specialties together. This is one of the tour’s most useful features for food-focused visitors because the tasting is tied to the place and the production method.

How much value do you get for $81?

At $81 per person, the price is reasonable if you want a full day with transport and several separate experiences. Included are round-trip private bus transfers, the Bulnes funicular ticket valued at $26.99, an expert guide, a guided walk in Bulnes, access to Bulnes for lunch, and the cheese cave visit with tasting and cider.

Buying each part independently could be awkward. You would need to coordinate the long drive, funicular tickets, village timing, and the Arenas de Cabrales stop. The private bus is the main convenience here, and it lets you see both Poncebos and the cheese cave without arranging your own route.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a short visit to Bulnes. You are paying for the full regional circuit, not simply a funicular ride. Likewise, hikers looking for a long day on the Cares Route may find that the excursion offers only a taste of Poncebos rather than a serious walk.

The rating of 4.8 from 58 bookings reflects a strong overall response, with praise for planning, communication, value, and guide quality. Santiago is specifically praised for his experience and for keeping communication with the group clear. Those are important strengths on a day with several transfers and a bilingual program.

Language, pacing, and practical comfort

The live guide service is offered in English and Spanish. In practice, the amount of English can vary. The main tour may move between both languages, while the cheese cave presentation can rely more heavily on written translation for English speakers.

That does not make the tour unusable in English, but it changes what you should expect. You may receive a strong spoken explanation from the main guide, then a shorter English version or tablet-based text at the cave. Ask questions directly, especially if a detail about the cheese-making process is important to you.

Wear comfortable shoes and clothing suited to the weather. You will walk on village streets and spend time in an exposed mountain setting. A light rain layer is sensible in the Picos de Europa, though the supplied information does not promise any particular weather conditions.

This is not a suitable outing for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. The combination of coach transfers, funicular access, village walking, and uneven mountain paths requires a reasonable level of mobility.

Pick-up options include Cangas de Onís, Oviedo, Panadería Manín, and Buendía Store Oviedo, depending on the option selected. Check the exact meeting point before you leave, since it changes by booking choice. Return is made to the corresponding drop-off options.

Who should book this Picos de Europa day?

I would choose this tour if you want several Asturias highlights in one organized day. It works especially well for you if you are staying in Oviedo or Cangas de Onís, do not have a car, and want to combine mountain scenery with a local food experience.

It also suits first-time visitors who prefer an escorted route. The guide handles the transport and funicular arrangements, while you focus on the views and village. Santiago’s clear communication is a useful example of the kind of support that helps on a long, multi-stop outing.

You may want another option if your priority is a long hike, a flexible schedule, or uninterrupted English commentary. The bus ride is substantial, the day can last up to 12 hours, and some explanations may be brief in English. Bulnes itself is small, so the tour’s appeal comes from the combination of Poncebos, the village, the peak view, and the cheese cave.

Book it if that combination sounds better than spending a full day in one place. Skip it if you want to set your own walking pace or dislike organized transport. For $81, I see the strongest value in the included funicular, private transfers, and food tasting, not in the amount of free time at any single stop.

FAQ

How long does the Bulnes and Cabrales cheese tour last?

The excursion lasts between 8 and 12 hours, depending on the selected starting time and the day’s schedule.

What languages are available?

The live guide is available in English and Spanish. Some content may be presented in its original language.

Is the Bulnes funicular included?

Yes. The round-trip Bulnes funicular ticket is included in the tour price.

How long is the funicular ride?

The ride takes about eight minutes and runs underground through the mountain.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and additional food or drinks are not included. The tour does guarantee access to Bulnes for lunch.

What does the final tasting include?

The tasting includes Cabrales cheese accompanied by authentic Asturian cider.

Where can I join the tour?

Starting options include the bus station in Cangas de Onís, C. Uría 58, Panadería Manín, and Buendía Store Oviedo. Your exact meeting point depends on the option booked.

Can wheelchair users join?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.