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

A mountain village, reached through solid rock. This day trip combines the underground Bulnes funicular with a walk through one of Asturias’ most remote villages, then adds a Cabrales cheese cave and cider tasting. I like the strong mix of scenery and local food, especially the chance to see Picu Urriellu and taste cheese made in the area. The main drawback is the long bus time, and some English-speaking visitors may find parts of the guiding rushed or hard to follow.

I also like that the day is organized around real places rather than a string of photo stops. Poncebos gives you the Cares Gorge, Bulnes shows mountain life without road access, and Arenas de Cabrales explains a food tradition tied closely to the region. You should expect a full day of up to 12 hours, limited free time, and walking on uneven streets.

Key points to know before you go

• The funicular runs underground for about eight minutes: It is more like a small train pulled through a tunnel than a scenic cable car, so do not expect mountain views during the ride.
• Bulnes has no road access: The village is reached by funicular or on foot, which helps preserve its quiet, old-fashioned character.
• The Cares Gorge is seen from Poncebos: This tour does not give you time to complete the famous Cares Route, but it does bring you to its starting point and viewpoint area.
• The cheese visit takes place in Arenas de Cabrales: You learn about traditional production and finish with Cabrales cheese and Asturian cider.
• Lunch is not included: You receive guaranteed access to Bulnes for lunch, but food and extra drinks cost more.
• English service can vary: The tour is offered in English and Spanish, yet one account describes Spanish explanations being shortened in English and the cheese cave visit relying on an iPad.

Why Bulnes makes this day trip special

Bulnes is not simply another pretty village in northern Spain. Its position is the point. For centuries, the settlement sat deep in the Picos de Europa, cut off from ordinary road traffic. Today, you can reach it by a modern funicular, but once you arrive, the village still feels quiet and removed from the outside world.

That contrast gives the excursion its charm. You do not spend the whole day hiking to a remote settlement, yet you still get a taste of the isolation that shaped Bulnes. Cobbled lanes, traditional houses, a small chapel, and mountain views provide enough to explore during the guided visit and free time.

The tour includes a view toward Picu Urriellu, also called Naranjo de Bulnes. This famous peak is one of Spain’s best-known climbing landmarks. You may not see it clearly if clouds cover the mountains, but the viewpoint is an important part of the stop. It gives the village a strong sense of place, rather than making Bulnes feel like a random mountain hamlet.

The village is also a good pause in a busy day. Cell phone coverage is unavailable, so you can actually put the phone away without pretending to disconnect. That may sound minor, but in a packed excursion it changes the mood.

Poncebos and the Cares Gorge

The day begins with a long drive through the Picos de Europa, following the Cares River toward Poncebos. The bus ride can take about three hours, depending on the starting point and road conditions. That is a serious block of time, but the route provides changing views of steep mountains, river valleys, and small rural settlements.

Poncebos is known as the starting point of the Cares Route, one of the most famous walks in northern Spain. The route cuts through a dramatic gorge often called the Divine Gorge. The river has carved its way between high rock walls, creating the narrow, rugged setting that defines this part of the mountains.

You will not be completing the full walking route on this excursion. Instead, you pause in Poncebos to appreciate the gorge and river before continuing to the funicular. This matters because anyone booking the tour for a major hike may be disappointed. The day gives you a look at the Cares setting, not a full trekking experience.

I would use this stop to take photographs, listen to the guide’s explanation, and enjoy the scale of the rock walls. It is one of the strongest scenery stops of the day, especially for people who want to see the Picos without committing to a long mountain walk.

The underground funicular to Bulnes

The funicular ride lasts around eight minutes, though the full stop includes time for boarding and free time around the lower station. Tickets are included in the $81 price, with a stated value of $26.99. That inclusion matters because the transport is essential to the experience, not an optional extra.

Set your expectations correctly. The funicular travels through the mountain, so the ride itself offers no open-air views. One useful description compares it to a small train pulled along tracks through a tunnel by cable. If you are expecting a cable car floating above a valley, this will feel different.

The funicular is still memorable because it solves the practical problem of reaching Bulnes. You move from the busy road network into a village that cannot be reached by car. The change is quick and effective. There is no long transfer from a parking area and no need to arrange separate tickets.

The ride also makes the trip suitable for people who want to see Bulnes but do not want to walk the mountain path. That said, the excursion is not designed for people with mobility impairments. The tour specifically excludes wheelchair users, and the cobbled village streets and mountain setting require comfortable shoes.

Exploring Bulnes without rushing the wrong things

Once you arrive, you receive a guided tour and free time. The planned stop in Bulnes lasts about an hour, though the exact pace can vary because the full outing is listed as eight to 12 hours.

Use the guided portion to understand what makes the village different. The traditional houses and narrow streets are attractive, but the real interest lies in the setting and the old relationship between the settlement and the mountains. The small chapel of Nuestra Señora de las Nieves adds a simple cultural stop.

You may also walk up to the viewpoint for Picu Urriellu. This climb is one reason to wear firm shoes, even though the village visit is not a serious hike. The surface can be uneven, and weather in the mountains can change quickly. Bring a jacket or other clothing suited to the forecast.

The no-cell-service detail is worth taking seriously. If you need to contact someone during the day, do not depend on a signal in Bulnes. For most people, the lack of coverage is a pleasant break. It also reinforces the sense that this is not just a roadside village with a few old buildings.

Lunch is not part of the price, but the tour guarantees access to Bulnes for lunch. That is useful because you are not left searching for somewhere outside the village. You should still budget separately for your meal and drinks. The data does not specify a particular restaurant or menu, so do not book this excursion expecting a fixed lunch.

A closer look at Cabrales cheese

After Bulnes, the bus continues to Arenas de Cabrales. This is the food-focused part of the day, and it adds context that a simple cheese tasting would miss.

At the Cueva del Queso, you learn how Cabrales cheese is made using traditional methods passed down through generations. The visit connects the product to the mountain region rather than treating it as a generic local snack. The cave setting also helps explain why this kind of cheese belongs to Asturias and its rural food culture.

Cabrales is a strong-flavored blue cheese. If you enjoy bold cheeses, the tasting should be one of the day’s pleasures. If you prefer mild food, the cheese may be intense, but the portion gives you a chance to try it without committing to a full serving.

The visit lasts about an hour and includes a tasting with Asturian cider. This pairing is one of the most useful parts of the excursion because cider is a major part of Asturian food culture. The sharp cheese and fresh cider make a good regional combination, and the tasting gives the day a clear finish.

There is one practical language point to keep in mind. The cheese cave explanation may be delivered mainly in Spanish, with English support through an iPad. One English-speaking visitor found that the Spanish presentation moved too quickly to follow comfortably while reading the translation. If you need detailed English explanations, ask your guide for help at the start of the visit.

How the transport shapes the experience

The private bus is both a strength and a limitation. It removes the stress of driving narrow mountain roads and links several places that would be awkward to visit independently in one day. You can look out at the scenery instead of focusing on navigation or parking.

The trade-off is time. The outward journey can take about three hours, and the return trip around two and a half hours. Add the transfers between Poncebos, the funicular, Bulnes, and Arenas de Cabrales, and you have a long day with a large share spent sitting on the bus.

I would not choose this trip if you dislike road tours or want a slow, unstructured visit to the Picos. I would choose it if you are staying in Asturias for a short time and want several major highlights handled in one outing. The bus also makes the tour practical for people who do not have a rental car.

There are four listed starting points, including the bus station in Cangas de Onís, Panadería Manín, Buendía Store in Oviedo, and C. Uría 58. The matching drop-off points use the same general locations. Check your selected option carefully because the meeting point changes with the booking choice.

Guide quality and language support

The excursion includes a live guide in English and Spanish. When the communication works well, it adds real value. A guide can explain why Poncebos matters, point out Picu Urriellu, keep the transfers organized, and give the cheese visit a local frame.

Santiago received especially warm praise for his experience and clear communication with the group. That is worth noting because a day with several transfers depends heavily on the guide keeping everyone informed. Another English-speaking visitor described the day as well planned and the communication as excellent.

Still, language delivery may not be perfectly even at every stop. One account describes the tour being conducted first in Spanish, followed by a much shorter English explanation. The same issue appeared in the cheese cave, where English support came through a tablet rather than a full spoken translation.

This does not cancel the value of the trip, but it changes how you should judge it. If every historical and technical detail must be explained fully in English, you may find the experience uneven. If you mainly want the places, scenery, village walk, and tasting, the language issue may be manageable.

Is the $81 price good value?

At $81 per person, the price is reasonable for a full-day outing that includes private bus transfers, a live guide, the round-trip funicular ticket, a guided Bulnes visit, the cheese cave, and the final tasting.

The funicular ticket alone is listed at $26.99. You also avoid the costs and effort of arranging transport between Cangas de Onís or Oviedo, Poncebos, Bulnes, and Arenas de Cabrales. For visitors without a car, that convenience is a major part of the value.

Lunch and extra drinks are not included, so the final cost will be higher than the headline price. You should also consider the value of your time. This is a full day, and much of it is spent on transport. The price works best for you if you want a broad introduction to the area rather than an in-depth visit to one place.

The rating of 4.8 from 58 reviews supports the idea that the package generally delivers what it promises. The highest praise centers on planning, guide communication, value for money, and the number of experiences packed into one day. The lower score focuses on the long bus ride and uneven English explanations, not on the core sights themselves.

Who should book this excursion?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see Bulnes but do not want to hike there, if you are based in Asturias without a car, or if you have limited time and want scenery, village life, and food in one day.

It also suits people who enjoy regional food traditions. The Cabrales cave and cider tasting keep the day from being only a mountain sightseeing trip. Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate the funicular, though the walking surfaces and accessibility limits need attention.

You may want another plan if your main goal is the full Cares Gorge hike. This excursion only visits the Poncebos starting area. You should also think twice if long bus rides make you miserable, if you need a fully English-led experience at every stop, or if you need step-free access.

Bring comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and room in your schedule for delays. The mountains set the pace, not the clock on your phone.

Should you book Bulnes and the Cabrales cave?

Book it if you want an efficient first look at the Picos de Europa, with Bulnes as the emotional center and Cabrales cheese as the tasty finale. The funicular ticket, private transport, guided village visit, and tasting make the $81 price fair, especially without a rental car.

Skip it if you want a serious hike, a quiet independent day, or a fully detailed English presentation at every stop. For everyone else, this is a well-filled mountain day: long on the road, strong on scenery, and unusually good at connecting a remote village with the food traditions of Asturias.

FAQ

How long does the Bulnes and Cabrales cheese excursion last?

The excursion lasts between 8 and 12 hours. The exact duration depends on the selected starting time and meeting point.

Is the Bulnes funicular included?

Yes. The price includes the ticket for the Bulnes funicular, including the return journey.

Does the funicular offer mountain views?

No. The funicular travels underground through the mountain, so it does not provide open-air views during the ride.

Is lunch included?

No. The tour guarantees access to Bulnes for lunch, but lunch and additional food or drinks are not included in the price.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide is available in English and Spanish. Some content may be presented in its original language, and the cheese cave may use an iPad for English support.

Is the excursion suitable for wheelchair users?

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