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

Mountain drama starts underground. This full-day trip from Gijón combines the Bulnes funicular with a guided walk through one of Asturias’ most unusual mountain villages, then adds a Cabrales cheese cave and cider tasting. I like the easy transport arrangement and the chance to see several Picos de Europa highlights without renting a car. The main drawback is the long 12-hour day, with lunch still at your own expense.

I also like that the experience includes an English-speaking local guide, a return funicular ticket, and a planned stop in Arenas de Cabrales. Santiago, one of the guides, was praised for keeping everyone together and explaining the route clearly. Still, a maximum group of 54 people means this is a large outing rather than a quiet mountain escape.

Key points to know before booking

• Bulnes is reached by funicular: You do not need to make the steep approach on foot, and the return ticket is included.
• The day lasts about 12 hours: Expect a full outing from Gijón, with time split between mountains, village streets, food, and bus travel.
• Lunch is not included: You are given guaranteed access to Bulnes for lunch, but the meal itself costs extra.
• Cabrales cheese gets its own cave visit: The tour includes a guided cheese-cave visit followed by Cabrales and Asturian cider.
• The Cares Gorge is seen from the bus: This is a panoramic ride, not a full hike through the gorge.
• The group may reach 54 people: That keeps the price at $83.48 per person, but it can make the day feel organized rather than intimate.

Why this Picos de Europa day trip works

The Picos de Europa can be awkward to visit without a car. Roads are winding, public transport is limited, and several worthwhile sights are spread across the mountains. This excursion solves that problem with private-bus transport from Gijón and a guide who handles the timing.

At $83.48 per person, the value comes from how much is bundled together. You receive transportation, an English-speaking guide, the return Bulnes funicular ticket valued at €22.16, the €5 cheese-cave visit, a village tour, and two tastings. Lunch is extra, but the major transport and entry costs are already covered.

I would not book this for a slow, unplanned day. The schedule moves through several stops, and the group size can reach 54. I would book it if you want a broad taste of the Picos de Europa and prefer not to puzzle out mountain transport yourself.

The high point is not a single attraction. It is the mix. You get a dramatic mountain setting, a tiny village, a famous cheese, local cider, and a bus ride through the Cares Gorge. That variety makes the day useful for a first visit to Asturias.

Poncebos: the gateway to Bulnes

The first major stop is Poncebos, where you arrive at the quintana and the ascent point for Bulnes. The visit is planned for about two hours, giving the group time to organize the funicular portion of the day.

Poncebos matters because it is the practical gateway to the village. You are not dropped in a random roadside location and left to work out the next step. The guide manages the transition and sets up the ascent and return.

The included return funicular ticket is one of the tour’s strongest practical features. At €22.16, it represents a sizable part of the tour price. It also removes the need to arrange your own transport up and down the mountain.

You should keep the timing in mind. A two-hour stop at Poncebos does not mean two hours of free wandering before Bulnes. It includes the movement toward the funicular and the group’s organized ascent and descent. If you want a long independent walk in the area, this is not the right format.

Bulnes: a village with time to look around

Bulnes receives about three hours, including a guided visit and free time. That is enough for the village to feel like a real stop, rather than a quick photo break.

The tour describes Bulnes as picturesque, and that is the point of coming here. The village is a compact mountain settlement reached as part of the funicular journey. Your guide gives the place context, then you have time to explore at your own pace within the schedule.

The free time is especially useful because guided walks and independent wandering serve different purposes. The guide can explain what you are seeing, while you can then pause for views, browse the village, or simply enjoy the quiet mountain setting.

Lunch fits into this part of the day. The tour guarantees access to Bulnes for lunch, but food is not included in the price. That is helpful during a busy day, since you are not left without a planned place to eat, but you should budget separately for the meal.

I would not count on a long restaurant break. Three hours must cover the guided village visit, free time, and lunch. If you eat slowly, ask questions, or want plenty of time for photographs, watch the meeting instructions closely.

The Bulnes funicular: comfort with a tradeoff

The funicular is the easiest way to reach Bulnes on this excursion. It saves you from arranging a separate ticket and lets the day include the village without requiring a long mountain walk.

That convenience is valuable for most people. The tour information says most participants can take part, and the funicular makes the main ascent less demanding than doing it entirely on foot. Still, the funicular does not turn the excursion into a completely effortless day. You will still move between a bus, the funicular, village paths, viewpoints, and the cheese-cave visit.

The return ticket is included, which keeps the day simple. You do not need to decide at the last minute how to get back to Poncebos. The group follows a set plan, and the guide accounts for everyone before moving on.

This is also where the group size matters. With up to 54 people, boarding and regrouping may take time. Santiago was specifically praised for keeping the group accounted for, which is exactly the sort of guide skill that matters on a long outing with several changes of location.

The Cares Gorge from the bus

The route includes about two hours of panoramic bus travel through the Cares Gorge while the group moves toward the visitable points. This gives you a chance to see one of the Picos area’s famous mountain corridors without committing to a full-day hike.

Be clear about what this means. You see the gorge from the bus during the journey. This is not described as a walking excursion through the Cares Gorge, so hikers looking for a substantial trail should choose a dedicated hiking trip instead.

The bus ride also provides a useful pause after the Bulnes visit. A 12-hour mountain day needs some quieter stretches, and the scenic route lets you keep seeing the area while resting your legs.

Views will depend on your seat, the road, and the conditions on the day. I would treat this portion as a scenic transfer with added value, not as a separate attraction with extensive time on foot.

Naranjo de Bulnes and the high viewpoint

The itinerary includes a viewpoint associated with Naranjo de Bulnes, where those who wish can climb to the highest area accessible to tourists. This section receives about one hour, followed by another hour at the highest point tourists can reach.

The wording suggests some choice in how much you do. If you want to climb to the upper viewpoint, you can use the available time for the views. If you prefer not to, the wider excursion still includes the mountain scenery from the route and bus.

You should not expect a technical mountain ascent. The stop is presented as an accessible viewpoint visit rather than a climbing expedition. Even so, sensible footwear and a realistic view of your own stamina are wise. The tour covers a lot of ground, and the day can feel tiring by this stage.

Naranjo de Bulnes gives the outing its strongest mountain focus. Bulnes offers village character, while this stop shifts attention back to the scale of the peaks. I like that the itinerary allows time for the high viewpoint instead of treating it as a passing roadside stop.

The two one-hour entries should not be read as two completely separate excursions. They describe time around the viewpoint and the highest accessible area. Follow your guide’s instructions closely so you know where to meet the group and how much free time remains.

Arenas de Cabrales and the cheese cave

After Poncebos, the bus continues to Arenas de Cabrales for a guided visit to a Cabrales cheese cave. The cave visit lasts about two hours as part of the stop, including the tasting afterward.

This is more than a snack stop. Cabrales is one of Asturias’ best-known local foods, and seeing where the cheese is made gives the tasting some context. The tour includes a guided visit valued at €5, so this part is already covered.

After the cave, you taste Cabrales cheese with Asturian cider. The combination makes sense: the strong cheese and local drink offer a clear connection to the region’s food traditions. It also gives you a calmer ending after the mountain sections.

I like this stop because it broadens the day beyond scenery. A mountain tour can blur into a series of viewpoints. The cheese cave gives you something specific to remember and a taste of Asturias that you can seek out again during the rest of your trip.

The timing is generous enough to include both the guided visit and tasting, but do not expect a full food tour. The included tasting is a sample, not lunch. You still need to plan for your midday meal in Bulnes.

A 12-hour schedule and the group experience

The full duration is about 12 hours. That makes this a serious day trip from Gijón, not a short half-day outing. You should leave room in your plans before and after it, since the return time can matter if you have evening reservations.

The private bus is a major advantage. You avoid piecing together regional transport between Gijón, Poncebos, Bulnes, the Cares Gorge, and Arenas de Cabrales. The tradeoff is that you follow the group’s timetable rather than choosing how long to stay at each stop.

The maximum group size is 54. That is worth considering before you book. A large group can be useful for keeping the price down and making transport practical, but it also means slower boarding, more frequent head counts, and less personal attention from the guide.

Santiago received particular praise for responsibility, organization, and keeping everyone accounted for. That matters here because the day has several moving parts. A guide who gives clear instructions can make a large group much easier to manage.

The experience is offered in English, and confirmation arrives at booking. Most people can participate, according to the tour information, but the itinerary still includes village walking and a climb to a viewpoint for those who choose it. If you have concerns about physical requirements, ask the provider before paying.

Who should book this excursion?

I would recommend it to you if you are staying in Gijón, want to see the Picos de Europa without driving, and prefer a fixed plan. It is particularly useful for solo visitors, since the bus, guide, funicular, and group structure remove much of the stress of getting around alone.

It also suits first-time visitors who want variety. In one day you get Bulnes, the Cares Gorge, Naranjo de Bulnes, Cabrales cheese, and Asturian cider. You will not explore each place at great length, but you will understand how the mountain scenery and local food fit together.

I would hesitate if your main goal is hiking. The Cares Gorge portion is panoramic bus travel, and the viewpoint visit is limited by the group schedule. A dedicated walking tour would give you more time on the trails.

I would also think twice if you dislike long days or large groups. Twelve hours is a lot, and 54 people is a sizeable party. The experience is organized, but it is not built around solitude.

At $83.48, I see solid value for someone who would otherwise need to arrange transport, pay for the funicular, organize the cheese-cave visit, and plan the route independently. The price is less compelling if you only want Bulnes or only want a short mountain walk.

The cancellation terms are fair: you can cancel up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and the tour requires a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not met, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Bulnes and Cabrales excursion?

Book it if you want a well-organized introduction to the Picos de Europa and do not want to drive. The funicular ticket, English guide, cheese cave, cider tasting, and private bus make the $83.48 price reasonable, especially for a solo visitor.

Skip it if you want a quiet, flexible day or a serious hike through the Cares Gorge. The large group and 12-hour schedule call for patience.

For most first-time visitors based in Gijón, I would lean toward booking. You get mountain views, a memorable village, local food, and dependable transport in one long but useful day. Just budget for lunch, wear practical shoes, and keep your expectations focused on seeing a broad slice of the region rather than mastering one trail.

FAQ

How long does the excursion last?

The excursion lasts approximately 12 hours.

What is included in the price?

The price includes private-bus transportation, an expert local guide, the return Bulnes funicular ticket, the guided Cabrales cheese-cave visit, Cabrales cheese and Asturian cider tasting, a guided Bulnes visit, and guaranteed access to Bulnes for lunch.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, although the tour guarantees access to Bulnes for lunch.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour can have a maximum of 54 participants.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.