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

The most memorable part of this day is the journey into Bulnes, a tiny mountain village reached by funicular rather than a normal road. You get high peaks, the Cares Gorge, a village walk, and a taste of Cabrales cheese in one long outing from Gijón.

I like the smart mix of scenery and local food. The funicular ticket is included, as are the cheese cave visit and tasting, so you avoid piecing together several separate costs. I also like that the guide keeps the group together, a useful service on a day with several stops and transfers.

The main drawback is the pace. This is a roughly 12-hour trip with a group of up to 54 people, and lunch is not included. You should also know that one past booking was canceled after transport problems, so keep some flexibility if your plans are tight.

Key points to know before booking

• Bulnes by funicular: Ride up and down on the included return ticket, valued at €22.16.
• Cabrales cheese cave: Visit a working cheese cave in Arenas de Cabrales, then taste the cheese with Asturian cider.
• Cares Gorge by bus: The route includes a panoramic ride through one of the Picos de Europa’s most dramatic settings.
• A full mountain day: Allow about 12 hours from Gijón, with time split between several stops.
• Lunch is your responsibility: You get guaranteed access to Bulnes for lunch, but the meal is not part of the €83.48 price.
• A guide matters here: Santiago was specifically praised for keeping everyone accounted for and explaining the day clearly.

Why this Gijón day trip is worth considering

At $83.48 per person, this is not a cheap local sightseeing ride, but it covers a lot of ground. You receive private-bus transport, a local guide, the return funicular ride, the guided cheese cave visit, a village tour, and tastings of Cabrales cheese and Asturian cider.

That package matters because the Picos de Europa are not an easy place to handle by guesswork. You need to coordinate the road into Poncebos, the funicular to Bulnes, the transfer to Arenas de Cabrales, and the timing of the gorge viewpoints. I like having those pieces handled in one day, especially if you are staying in Gijón and do not want to drive mountain roads.

The tradeoff is that you are buying convenience and variety, not a slow mountain retreat. You will spend much of the day on the bus or moving between stops. If your ideal outing means one long walk with plenty of quiet time, this may feel too structured.

The group can reach a maximum of 54 people. That is a fairly large group for a small mountain village, so you should expect a set schedule and a guide-led rhythm rather than complete freedom.

Poncebos begins the mountain portion

The first listed stop is Poncebos, the point where the ascent and descent to Bulnes begins. You arrive at the quintana area, a traditional rural setting, and get about two hours for this part of the route, including the funicular arrangements and time around the starting point.

Poncebos is important because it acts as your gateway to the Bulnes valley. The outing is not simply a bus ride to a viewpoint. You are moving from the more accessible roads into a mountain setting where the funicular makes the village visit practical for a day trip.

Your guide handles the group’s movement from the bus to the funicular. That is useful when many people are traveling together and the day has a fixed timetable. I would stay close to the guide here, since missing the planned departure could affect the rest of the schedule.

The funicular is one of the defining features of the excursion. The included return ticket has a stated value of €22.16, which takes a meaningful bite out of the tour price. It also saves you from arranging this part separately.

Bulnes gives you three hours in a remarkable village

Bulnes is the heart of the trip. You receive a guided tour of the village followed by free time, with about three hours set aside. That balance is well judged. The guide can explain what makes the settlement special, then you have room to look around at your own pace.

The village is known here for its mountain setting and unusual access. The funicular lets you reach it without relying on a long hike, making the visit possible for a wider range of people. Still, this is a mountain outing, not a flat city stroll. You should be ready for uneven ground and some walking while you explore.

The tour also guarantees access to Bulnes for lunch. That does not mean lunch is included, and the information provided does not specify a restaurant, menu, or fixed meal price. Plan to pay for your own food, and keep in mind that free time may be shaped by the group schedule.

I like the way this stop lets you see Bulnes without rushing in and out for a quick photograph. Three hours gives you time for the guided portion, lunch, and a look around. The limitation is that the same time block can feel short if you want a serious hike or a long period of quiet photography.

The guide’s role is especially useful in Bulnes. Santiago, named in one account of the trip, was praised for making sure everyone was accounted for and for explaining the route. That kind of attention matters when the group must return to the funicular and bus on time.

The Cares Gorge adds a scenic road journey

The tour includes a panoramic bus ride through the River Cares area and the Cares Gorge. About two hours are assigned to this part of the day, including the journey to points where you can take in the views.

This section gives you a sense of the scale of the Picos de Europa without requiring a full-day hike. The road journey itself is part of the attraction. You can sit back and watch the gorge and mountain scenery unfold while the guide keeps the day moving.

Do not expect this to be the same as walking the famous Cares trail. The information describes a panoramic bus ride, not a hiking excursion along the gorge. If you specifically want a long walk beside the river, this tour does not promise that.

For many people, the bus is a sensible choice. It connects the major parts of the day and lets you see more of the region in limited time. The cost is that the best views may pass quickly, and your seat and the road conditions can affect what you see. Keep your camera ready, but do not expect every moment to be a photo stop.

Naranjo de Bulnes viewpoints provide the high point

The outing includes access to the highest point tourists can reach in this part of the route, with about an hour at the Naranjo de Bulnes area and another hour connected with the Mirador Naranjo de Bulnes. The description says those who wish can climb to the highest area for views from a spectacular viewpoint.

This wording suggests an optional climb rather than a requirement for everyone. That is helpful if your group has mixed energy levels. You can decide how far to go, while those who want the higher viewpoint have a chance to reach it.

The views are one of the strongest reasons to choose this excursion. The Picos are not being treated as background scenery between unrelated stops. You get time at the gorge and the viewpoints, plus the approach through Poncebos and Bulnes.

At the same time, you should not treat the optional climb as a guaranteed easy walk. The exact path, surface, and effort level are not provided. If you have mobility concerns, ask the operator for current details before booking rather than assuming the highest viewpoint will suit you.

The two one-hour blocks also show how the day is organized. You get short, focused periods for major viewpoints rather than a long unstructured stay. That works well for a first look at the area, but less well if you want to linger over one view.

Cabrales cheese turns the afternoon into a local tasting

After the mountain portion, the bus takes you from Poncebos to Arenas de Cabrales. Here, you visit a Cabrales cheese cave with a guide. The cave visit is valued at €5, and it is followed by a tasting of Cabrales cheese and Asturian cider.

This is more than a snack added to fill time. Cabrales is one of Asturias’s signature foods, and seeing the cave gives context to the taste. The tasting also changes the mood of the day. After the mountain roads, viewpoints, and village walking, you get a seated food stop and a direct connection to local traditions.

The planned time for Arenas de Cabrales is about two hours. That should allow the cave visit and tasting without feeling like a rushed add-on. I appreciate that the food element is specific rather than a vague promise of local flavor.

Cabrales is a strong cheese, so it may not suit every palate. The cider also gives you a taste of Asturias beyond the Picos. If you are hoping for a full meal, however, this is not it. Lunch remains separate, and the included tasting should be treated as a sample rather than a replacement for dinner.

One account of the trip described the cheese visit as a pleasant way to unwind after the mountain section. That is exactly how I would think of it: not the main reason to book, but a useful finish that makes the day feel more connected to Asturias.

The schedule favors variety over a relaxed pace

The stated duration is about 12 hours. The stop times add up to roughly 11 hours, with the remaining time covering road travel, loading, transfers, and the funicular. You should reserve most of the day and avoid scheduling an evening commitment too close to the expected return.

A private bus is a major practical benefit. You do not need to work out public transport connections between Gijón, Poncebos, Bulnes, and Arenas de Cabrales. The guide also gives you a single point of contact when the day includes several changes of place.

The maximum group size of 54 is worth considering. A large group can keep the price down and make transport efficient, but it can also mean slower boarding and less personal attention. The positive account specifically praised Santiago for checking that everyone was present, which is the kind of basic organization you need on a long group outing.

The tour is offered in English, and confirmation is sent at booking. Most people can participate according to the supplied details. Still, the optional climb and the walking around Bulnes mean you should judge the day by your own comfort with mountain terrain.

What the mixed feedback means for your decision

The strongest praise focuses on organization. The pickup, destinations, and return were described as well handled, and Santiago was singled out for being responsible and keeping the group together. That is meaningful because this tour has many moving parts.

The other feedback raises a practical concern about cancellations. One booking for a Bulnes excursion was canceled five days before departure because of a vehicle issue. The replacement option did not work out because access to the Lakes of Covadonga was later closed during fires.

That account does not prove that cancellations are common, but it does show why you should avoid placing this tour on the one irreplaceable day of a short visit. The formal policy allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time, while cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refundable. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, the operator says you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

I would also check the current operating conditions close to the date, especially if weather, fires, or road access could affect the mountains. The tour depends on roads, transport, and access to the funicular area.

Who will get the most from this excursion

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a first look at the Picos de Europa without renting a car or planning several separate connections. It is also a good fit for solo visitors who prefer the security of a guide and a fixed group, a point supported by the positive account of the trip.

Food-minded visitors will like the Cabrales cave and cider tasting. The tour gives you a small but useful introduction to Asturias’s food culture, and the tasting is included rather than added as an extra charge.

You should think twice if your priority is hiking. The itinerary includes walking around Bulnes and an optional climb to a viewpoint, but it does not promise a long trail or extended time alone in the mountains.

It may also be a poor match if you dislike early starts, long bus rides, group timing, or a full day away from Gijón. The reward is range: village, gorge, high viewpoint, cheese cave, and cider. The price of that range is a packed schedule.

Is the $83.48 price good value?

I see solid value in the fare if you would otherwise need to pay for transport, the funicular, a guided village visit, a cheese cave ticket, and a tasting separately. The funicular ticket alone is valued at €22.16, and the cave visit adds another €5. The private bus and guide complete the practical side of the package.

The value is weaker if you plan to drive yourself and prefer to choose your own stops. You would give up some freedom here, and lunch is still extra. The large possible group also means the price does not buy a private or highly personal experience.

For a first visit, I think the combination works. You get the signature access point to Bulnes, several strong viewpoints, and a local food stop without having to solve the transport puzzle yourself.

Should you book the Bulnes and Cabrales trip?

Book it if you want a full, guided introduction to the Picos de Europa from Gijón, especially if driving is not appealing. The included funicular, cheese cave, tasting, and private bus make the $83.48 price reasonable for a day packed with separate experiences.

Skip it if you want a quiet hiking day, a small private group, or complete control over your timing. Before paying, leave room in your schedule for a possible change, confirm the current transport arrangements, and plan for lunch separately. For a solo visitor or first-time mountain explorer, the organized format is likely the biggest advantage.

FAQ

How long does the excursion last?

The excursion lasts approximately 12 hours.

Where does the tour take place?

The tour is based in Gijón and visits Poncebos, Bulnes, Arenas de Cabrales, the River Cares area, and viewpoints connected with Naranjo de Bulnes.

Is the Bulnes funicular ticket included?

Yes. The return trip by funicular is included, with a stated value of €22.16.

Is lunch included?

No. The tour guarantees access to Bulnes for lunch, but lunch itself is not included in the price.

What food and drink are included?

The tour includes a tasting of Cabrales cheese and Asturian cider after the guided visit to the Cabrales cheese cave.

How far in advance can I cancel?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.