What to see in and around Bulnes?
Bulnes deserves a visit for many reasons, be it by funicular or on foot. We propose, for scenic beauty and enjoy hiking, the classic mountain road that your neighbors used throughout their lives and that carries little risk or unexpected shocks. The road, yes, appears before us steep at the first change. In the village there is an unusual atmosphere, a rustic reality in which barely a dozen neighbors are seen, and a good number of Asturian houses, many in ruins, including its parish. The town that now sees its tourist services reinforced has a popular bar, which is not populous where to eat a good stew and some other accommodation to spend the night.
A long time ago there was a camping place in the vicinity where nature lovers and also those of risk used to go, because Bulnes serves as a prelude to the famous Urriellu Peak (Naranjo de Bulnes), a classic challenge for mountaineers from all over the peninsula. The village is perched on an affordable Meters 649, but surrounded by powerful peaks of 1.600 meters of altitude. The new possibilities of accommodation, and some extra comfort now predispose to other types of more comfortable stays to which we are not going to remove either merits or reasons here. It is simply the desire of Desdeasturias.com, like that of many other Asturian lovers of the area, that the use and enjoyment of this natural enclave entails respect at all times for its inhabitants and the existing habitat. It should not be overlooked that this village, in which more than 50 people lived, was founded by shepherds who one fine day decided to live permanently in this place, giving up too many things. In this way, you cannot reach Bulnes in a disrespectful way, breaking a way of life assumed by the mountaineers, or mistreating a landscape that they cared for for decades.
Route Bulnes Majada de Arnández
A short distance from the town of Bulnes there is a bucolic and charming corner with excellent views over the …
How long does it take to walk up to Bulnes?
The road continues four kilometers, an hour and a half walk or two hours, it depends on our physical form. We have parked our vehicle in the town of Poncebos, just seven kilometers from Arenas de Cabrales. The mountain track that begins here has nothing to envy to other classic routes of the Asturian mountain such as the well-known Ruta del Cares which also starts in Poncebos. The journey to Bulnes is much shorter, but hardly flat and has just enough hardness to go and return, feeling a bit tired and very satisfied with the journey. It is suitable for all ages and does not require a particularly athletic physical condition.
From the Jaya bridge, next to the Poncebos crossing, and up to the town of Bulnes we will have ascended more than 400 meters of unevenness, with slopes that reach 18 percent. The ascent is almost continuous along a path lined with old stones, harmoniously polished by the weather and walkers over many decades. In some sections the rock comes to form custom-made steps patiently built by erosion, without fillings or other material than the rock itself. Opposite we see what is popularly known as the Amuesa Murallón. Just as vertical and surprising as the Peña Maín that we are skirting, through a steep and spectacular gorge above the Texu river, a channel that carries the same name of the river and that separates both natural moles.
At the end the road becomes flat and ends in a kind of cute and tiny valley in which it is inscribed Bulnes, as a minor landing to continue climbing the giant staircase that climbs towards the highest mountains.
To one side we see, on a small hill, Bulnes de Arriba, later: Bulnes de Abajo, united by the same path. Are two neighborhoods that are also known as the Castle and the Villa. During the winter they live on cattle and in summer on tourism and the love of the mountains. We enter the town through its cemetery and the ruined parsonage, possibly the most noble building in the town. On one side of the cemetery we find the chapel that keeps the Virgen de las Nieves, the patron saint of the town to whom the quintessential festival of the town is dedicated, at the beginning of August.
A stream leaves two symmetrical parts of the village on both sides: houses, shelters, some shops, bars, farms that still keep food for livestock and stables. The alleys have a natural firm, they are limestone like the mountain, the same as the masonry of the walls that surround the meadows. Once here, the only thing left to do is enjoy good company or dedicate the rest of the day to contemplation, which is a lot. It may also be that we encourage ourselves to sleep to start some of the several high mountain routes that proposes us, almost incites, the place.
Great return to the Picos de Europa
A comprehensive tour with accommodation included through the Picos de Europa. Five days to get to know in depth the spectacular landscapes of this national park….
The Funicular to Bulnes
The fastest and most comfortable way to get there, without a doubt, we go up in Poncebos and in 7 minutes we are up in Bulnes. You have all the info in the link.
Funicular of Bulnes
The quickest way to get to the Cabraliega town of Bulnes is by taking the funicular, operational…
Sleeping in and around Bulnes
Although Bulnes is a very small village, it has some rural houses and in the nearby towns we also find hotels, apartments, hostels, hostels ... a wide variety of establishments to sleep in the Picos de Europa. In our link we offer offers and direct contact with the owners, without intermediaries or commissions.
The Caprichu of Bulnes
The Caprichu de Bulnes is…
La Chiflon House
The House of Chiflon is…
Accommodations Picos de Europa
The best rural houses, apartments and hotels in the Picos de Europa. Offers to enjoy in a unique environment. #TourismAsturias…
Cabrales cheese
Cabrales cheese is one of the signs of identity and the ambassador par excellence of Asturias in the rest of the world. this cheese matures for two to five months in natural cavesInside there is a cool temperature and high humidity (relative humidity of 90% and a temperature of between 8º and 12º C.), and the smell of the cheese in an internal curing process always floods the environment.
Information:
To get to Poncebos we will take a detour on the AS-114 as it passes through Arenas de Cabrales. There is a clear signaling.
Arenas de Cabrales Tourist Office (Summer and bridges) Tel.:985 84 64 84.
City of Carreña de Cabrales. Tel .: 985 84 50 21.
Text: © Ramón Molleda for asturias.com
