About this tour
When Mia from our BugBitten team ran this 12-hour outing from Oviedo, Gijón or Cangas de Onís, we got a proper taste of Asturian mountain life. The day strings together three main stops: a drive through the River Cares valley to Poncebos, a funicular ride up to the hidden village of Bulnes (where Picu Urriellu towers above), and a cheese cave tour in Arenas de Cabrales with tasting. It's a mix of mountain scenery, village exploration, and food heritage — the kind of tour that hits different regions of Asturias without feeling rushed. Suits most fitness levels, though the funicular and village walking are the main physical bits.
Highlights
- Funicular ride delivers sudden views of Picu Urriellu and the Picos massif
- Bulnes feels genuinely tucked away — not a tourist theme park
- Cheese cave walkthrough shows real artisan methods, not stage-managed
- Cabrales tasting paired with local cider works as proper introduction
- River Cares valley drive itself worth the journey
- Private bus means no squeezed-in coach chaos
- Guide commentary bridges the three stops coherently
What to expect
The day kicks off with a scenic drive along the River Cares toward Poncebos. The landscape shifts from lower valleys into proper mountain territory — you'll notice it. Once at Poncebos, you board the funicular. It's a short, steep ride, and when you pop out at the top, the view hits: Bulnes spreads below you in a valley pocket, and Picu Urriellu (that needle-sharp summit) dominates the skyline. Mia noted the village itself is genuinely quiet and untouched — narrow stone paths, a handful of locals, no queue of day-trippers. You'll have time to wander and grab lunch (bring cash, options are modest). The afternoon swings to the cheese caves near Arenas. It's less underground cathedral, more working storage room with moisture and quiet. The guide walks you through how the wheels age and how locals layer them. The tasting follows — genuine Cabrales (pungent, creamy, blue-veined) alongside a glass of Asturian cider. It's a sharp contrast to Bulnes, but the pairing makes sense.
What travellers say
- Bulnes village genuinely secluded and atmospheric
- Funicular ascent paired with iconic mountain views
- Artisan cheese process shown without overselling
- Private bus avoids crowds and coach chaos
- Asturian cider and Cabrales tasting reflects real local culture
- Three distinct regions explored in one coherent day
- Lunch not included; Bulnes food options are modest
- Funicular ticket is a separate cost on top
- Cheese cave is intimate but small — not grand
- 12-hour duration means very early start and late finish
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
The scenery leg (Cares valley and Picu Urriellu views) justifies the half-day alone. Bulnes is wonderfully car-free and atmospheric — no gift shops flooding the lane. The cheese cave is honest and small-scale; you see real storage, not a tourist mock-up. Cabrales and cider pairing is a genuine local combo, and the €5 cave tour value is fair. Private bus keeps the group intimate.
Lunch isn't included and Bulnes options are basic (small bars, limited stock) — pack a sandwich or eat early in the day if picky. The funicular ticket costs extra on top of the tour price. It's 12 hours, so an early pickup and late drop-off; factor that into your Oviedo/Gijón schedule. The cheese cave doesn't have dramatic lighting or scale — if you're expecting a grand underground palace, adjust expectations. Bulnes has steep cobbles and uneven steps; not wheelchair-friendly. Peak summer means Bulnes gets busier, though still less crowded than typical tourist spots. Infants need to sit on laps in the bus and funicular.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.