Bulnes: The Hidden Village in The Picos de Europa

Do you want to immerse yourself in a place out of time full of natural beauty? Then Bulnes is the perfect place for you. This small town located in Asturias is known for its impressive landscape and its stone houses, but also for its unique access: it can only be reached by funicular or on foot.

How to Get to Bulnes

Walk to Bulnes

If you like hiking, the route from Poncebos is 4 kilometers long and takes between an hour and a half and two hours. Along the way you can enjoy impressive views of the Picos de Europa and surrounding nature.

By funicular

If you prefer to travel by funicular, the trip from Poncebos to Bulnes takes only 7 minutes and covers 2,227 meters.

The following information is from the ALSA webpage.

Prices
Adults: one way – €17.61. Round trip – €22.16
Children (4 to 12 years old): one way – €4.32. Roundtrip – €6.71
Babies (up to 3 years): free
*The ticket can be purchased at the ticket office at the entrance to the funicular (from 9:30 a.m.) and also at Alsa points of sale or by calling +34 902 42 22 42.

Dates and times
High season: All summer until October 12 inclusive; on October 30 and 31 and November 1; on November 11; on December 5, 6, 7 and 8. Hours: from 10:00 a.m. at 8:00 p.m.
Low season: Rest of the year. Hours: from 10:00 a.m. at 12:30 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. at 6:00 p.m.

Frequency
The funicular runs every 30 minutes. From Monday to Friday on working days, a trip is made at 8:30 a.m.

Comments
*The use of a mask is mandatory to wear a mask during the trip.
*It is allowed to travel with dogs as long as they are on a leash and muzzled (although lately they allow them to go up without a muzzle).

What to See in Bulnes

Once in Bulnes, you can enjoy a wide variety of activities. The town is divided into two: “Bulnes de Arriba” or “Barrio del Castillo”, and “Bulnes de Abajo” or “La Villa”. 300 meters from the Bulnes station, is “La Villa”, from where you can access the “Barrio del Castillo”, located about 500 meters away and above it. From the “Barrio del Castillo” you can see “La Canal del Texu”, where the path that connects Poncebos and Bulnes is located.

One of the main attractions of Bulnes are its streets with rustic stone houses and an inexplicable charm. Walking through the town is a perfect way to enjoy the atmosphere and traditional architecture.

Another activity that you cannot miss is the Mirador de Bulnes, just 400 meters from the town. From there you will be able to see the Picos de Europa and on a clear day Picu Urriellu, one of the most emblematic peaks of the mountain range.

For lovers of nature and hiking, Bulnes offers several mountain routes that pass through the town. Among the most popular is the route that leads to the Urriellu refuge, from where you can access the summit of Picu Urriellu.

To go up to the base of “Picu Urriellu” or “Naranjo de Bulnes” the walking distance is 4 to 5 hours.
From “La Villa” to “Collado de Pandébano” it takes an hour and a half on the way.
From the “Barrio del Castillo” you can access the “Amuesa” meadow in two hours.
*All these indicated excursions take the same return time.

The Famous Cabrales Cheese

Last but not least, you cannot leave Bulnes without trying the famous Cabrales cheese. This Asturian cheese is known for its intense flavor and high quality. You can find it in several restaurants and shops in the town and it is an essential delight on your visit to Bulnes.

Where to Sleep in Bulnes

We’ve prepared a list of accommodations in Bulnes just for you:

Recomendations

*Wear comfortable shoes, when you get to the town with the funicular there is a 400-meter path to get to the town.
*Wear warm clothes in winter.
*Check the restaurants hours and reserve in advance.
*Disconnect, because there is no phone coverage 😉

In short, Bulnes is a special place in Asturias, with a unique atmosphere and a wide variety of activities to enjoy. Whether walking or by funicular, access to the town is an experience in itself. Once there, you will be able to enjoy the streets with rustic stone houses, the impressive Mirador de Bulnes, the varied mountain routes and the delicious Cabrales cheese. Do not hesitate to visit Bulnes and discover everything it has to offer.

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