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

Mountain villages, blue cheese, and a long day out. This Asturias excursion brings together the Picos de Europa, the Cares Gorge, the underground funicular to Bulnes, and a tasting of Cabrales cheese with Asturian cider. I especially like the easy access to a village that cannot be reached by road and the chance to connect its mountain setting with a local food tradition. The main drawback is the amount of time spent on the bus, plus some uneven English interpretation at the cheese cave.

The trip costs $81 per person and lasts roughly 8 to 12 hours, depending on your departure point and schedule. That is a fair price when you consider that transport, a guide, the return funicular ticket, a guided visit to Bulnes, the cheese cave, and the tasting are included. Still, you should expect a full day rather than a quick mountain outing. Guide Santiago has earned particular praise for clear communication and an interesting presentation, although the language balance may vary by guide and date.

Five things to know before you book

• The funicular takes only eight minutes: It runs underground through the mountain, so this is a practical ride rather than a scenic cable car trip.
• Bulnes has no road access: The village feels peaceful and isolated, with cobbled lanes, traditional houses, a small chapel, and views toward Picu Urriellu.
• The Cares Gorge is a major part of the day: You see the dramatic gorge and river near Poncebos, but this excursion does not appear to include the full Cares Route hike.
• Cabrales cheese is paired with cider: The final tasting gives you a direct taste of Asturias, not just a look at its scenery.
• The bus rides are long: Depending on your pickup point, expect several hours on the road, balanced by impressive mountain views.
• Lunch is not included: You get guaranteed access to Bulnes for lunch, but food and extra drinks cost more.

Why Bulnes is worth the long ride

Bulnes is one of Asturias’s most unusual villages because you cannot drive there. For years, its isolation helped preserve its traditional character. Today, the funicular makes access much easier, but the village still feels separate from the modern road network.

That contrast is the appeal. You do not need to tackle a demanding mountain hike to reach a place surrounded by the Picos de Europa. The bus takes you to Poncebos, and the funicular carries you through the mountain to Bulnes in about eight minutes.

I like this arrangement because it lets you see a remote corner of Asturias without spending the whole day on foot. It also suits you if you want mountain scenery but do not want to commit to a long hiking route.

The tradeoff is that the ride itself is not scenic. The funicular is more like a small train pulled through an underground passage than an open cable car. You will not get sweeping views during the journey. The views come before and after it, especially around Poncebos and Bulnes.

Poncebos and the Cares Gorge

The first major setting is Poncebos, where the Cares River has cut through steep rock walls. This is the starting point for the famous Cares Route, often called La Garganta Divina, or the Divine Gorge.

The excursion gives you time to take in the gorge and river rather than sending you off on the full route. That distinction matters. The Cares Route is a separate walking experience, while this day trip offers a short introduction to the area as part of a wider circuit.

As the bus follows the road toward Poncebos, small rural villages and sharp mountain slopes provide much of the visual interest. If you enjoy watching a region change outside the window, the journey is part of the experience. If you prefer constant activity, the long road sections may feel slow.

Bring a seat-side camera, but do not plan the day around taking photos from the bus. The best stops are the places where you can get out, look across the gorge, and take in the scale of the rock walls and river.

The underground funicular to Bulnes

At the lower funicular station, you may have around 30 minutes of waiting or free time before the train ride, depending on the day’s operation and timing. The ticket is included, with a stated value of $26.99, so you do not need to arrange this part separately.

The funicular journey takes about eight minutes. It passes through the mountain and brings you to the village without a road connection. It is a useful engineering solution, but it is best understood as transportation, not a sightseeing ride.

That point is worth stressing because the word funicular can create the wrong picture. You will not be riding in an open car with mountain views. The route is underground, and the train moves through the rock.

Once you arrive, the mood changes quickly. Bulnes is small, quiet, and built for walking. You will see cobbled streets and traditional houses rather than broad roads or modern commercial areas. The lack of mobile phone coverage adds to the feeling that you have stepped away from ordinary routines.

Walking through Bulnes

The guided visit helps you understand what makes Bulnes special, then you get free time to explore at your own pace. The schedule allows roughly an hour for walking, with additional time connected to the guided portion.

I would use this time without rushing. Visit the chapel of Nuestra Señora de las Nieves, follow the village lanes, and look for the viewpoints toward Picu Urriellu, also known as Naranjo de Bulnes. This peak is one of Spain’s best-known mountaineering landmarks and gives the village its dramatic mountain backdrop.

The village is not a large attraction with a long list of sights. Its appeal comes from the setting, the quiet, and the sense of an old mountain settlement still functioning on a small scale. You may find the natural setting more memorable than the buildings themselves, especially if you already enjoy mountain walks.

Lunch is not part of the $81 price, but the excursion includes guaranteed access to Bulnes for lunch. That is useful because you are not simply passing through with no time to eat. Bring comfortable shoes and clothing suited to the weather, since the village involves walking on uneven streets and the mountain weather can change.

The tour is not designed for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. The combination of transport changes, walking, cobbled surfaces, and the village setting makes that limitation important.

What the Cabrales cheese cave adds

After Bulnes, the day continues toward Arenas de Cabrales, also called Las Arenas. This gives the excursion a second subject: Asturias’s food culture.

Cabrales is a blue cheese made in the region using a traditional method passed down through generations. At the cheese cave, you learn how the cheese is produced and why caves matter to the process. The visit takes about an hour, including the guided portion and tasting.

This stop works well because it connects the food to its place of origin. You are not simply sampling a product in a shop. You are visiting an area known for producing it and seeing how the tradition fits the mountain setting.

The English presentation may not be consistent. One account describes the cave visit as being conducted fully in Spanish, with an iPad provided for English text. The concern is not the lack of material, but the pace: if the Spanish explanation moves quickly, you may not have enough time to read everything on the screen.

That is a practical point for English-speaking visitors. Ask your guide how the translation will work before the presentation starts. If your guide is helping with the explanation, the visit should be easier to follow. If not, you may need to focus more on the visual parts and the tasting.

Cabrales cheese and Asturian cider

The final tasting is simple but important. You try Cabrales cheese with Asturian cider, a pairing that reflects two strong local traditions.

Cabrales has a bold flavor, and the tasting gives you a chance to decide how much you like it without ordering a full serving at a restaurant. The cider adds a fresh counterpoint and makes the stop feel connected to Asturias rather than like a generic food sample.

The tasting is included, but additional food and drinks are not. Since lunch is also excluded, budget for something extra if you expect to eat during the day. The precise meal arrangements can vary, so it is sensible to ask the guide when and where lunch fits into the schedule.

I like the tasting because it gives the day a clear finish. You begin with rivers, cliffs, and a remote village, then end with something you can taste and remember. It is a good balance between outdoor scenery and local culture.

Transport, timing, and pickup points

This is a long excursion. The published duration is 8 to 12 hours, with a bus journey of roughly three hours at the beginning and about two and a half hours at the end on the longer schedule. There is also a shorter bus transfer after Bulnes before the cheese visit.

Pickup options include the bus station in Cangas de Onís, C. Uría 58, Panadería Manín, Buendía Store, and Oviedo. The exact meeting point depends on the option you select, so check it carefully rather than assuming the tour begins in the same place for everyone.

The road time is the biggest practical issue. One English-language account described the bus ride as long but worthwhile for the views. That is a fair description. You spend much of the day in transit, but the distance is what links the gorge, Bulnes, and the cheese-producing area into one outing.

I would choose this tour if you are staying in Asturias and want a guided day with no need to arrange several separate tickets. I would not choose it if your main goal is a long hike in the Cares Gorge or a relaxed morning in one village.

Guide quality and language support

The excursion includes a live guide in English and Spanish. Guide Santiago received especially strong praise for his experience, communication with the group, and ability to make the day interesting.

That is valuable on a trip with several moving parts. You have a long bus journey, a funicular transfer, free time, a guided village visit, and a cheese cave stop. A guide who keeps the timing clear can make the day feel organized instead of rushed.

The language experience may not be identical every time. English explanations have been praised as good on some departures, but another account found that information was delivered mainly in Spanish, with English shortened or supported by an iPad. If language access is central to your decision, contact the provider before booking and ask how the English commentary will be handled on your date.

The overall rating is 4.8 from 58 reviews, and the strongest praise centers on planning, communication, value, and the guides. That matches the structure of the outing: it covers a lot in one day, and the included transportation removes much of the planning burden.

Is $81 a good value?

At $81, this is not the cheapest way to see Asturias, but it includes several items that would otherwise need to be arranged separately. You receive private bus transfers, the Bulnes funicular ticket valued at $26.99, a guided visit to Bulnes, a guide throughout the excursion, entry to the cheese cave, and a cheese and cider tasting.

The value is strongest if you are based in Oviedo or Cangas de Onís and want to combine several sights without renting a car. It is also useful if you are not comfortable driving mountain roads or coordinating the funicular schedule yourself.

The value is weaker if you want freedom to set your own pace. Your day follows the group schedule, and the bus rides take up a large share of the outing. Lunch and extra drinks are also separate costs.

I see the price as reasonable for a full guided day, especially because the funicular ticket and cheese experience are included. Just do not mistake it for an inexpensive short excursion. You are paying for access, transport, organization, and interpretation as much as for the individual sights.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to you if you want a broad introduction to the Picos de Europa and prefer a planned day over independent logistics. It is particularly suitable for people who enjoy mountain views, small villages, regional food, and gentle walking rather than a strenuous hike.

It also works well for first-time visitors to Asturias. In one day, you see Poncebos, the Cares Gorge, Bulnes, Picu Urriellu, and the Cabrales cheese area. That range gives you a useful sense of the region.

You may want another option if you dislike long bus journeys, need full control over meal times, or want to hike the Cares Route itself. The funicular is underground, so it will not satisfy you if you are looking specifically for an aerial mountain ride.

Wear comfortable shoes, bring weather-appropriate clothing, and leave room in your schedule for a full day. The views, village, and tasting are the rewards. The price is fair, but the time commitment is real.

Should you book it?

Book this excursion if you want the Picos de Europa without planning several connections yourself. The combination of Bulnes and Cabrales cheese gives you more variety than a simple sightseeing transfer, and the included funicular ticket improves the value.

I would make the booking with two conditions in mind: accept the long bus rides, and confirm the English arrangements if you do not speak Spanish. If those points suit you, this is a well-packed way to meet Asturias through its mountains, villages, cheese, and cider.

FAQ

How long does the Bulnes and Cabrales cheese tour last?

The excursion lasts approximately 8 to 12 hours. The exact length depends on the starting point and the day’s schedule.

Where can I join the excursion?

Pickup options include the Estación de Autobuses de Cangas de Onís, C. Uría 58, Panadería Manín, Buendía Store, and Oviedo. Your exact meeting point depends on the option booked.

Is the Bulnes funicular ticket included?

Yes. The round-trip Bulnes funicular ticket is included in the excursion price. The stated value is $26.99.

How long is the funicular ride?

The underground funicular ride takes about eight minutes each way. It does not provide open mountain views during the journey.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and additional food or drinks are not included. The excursion does provide guaranteed access to Bulnes for lunch.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide languages are English and Spanish. Some content may be provided in its original language, and English support at the cheese cave may include an iPad.

Is the cheese tasting included?

Yes. The guided cheese cave visit includes a tasting of Cabrales cheese with Asturian cider.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

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