Cabrales: Mountain Views, Trails and Cheese Culture

Picu Urriellu, also known as Naranjo de Bulnes, rises to 2,519 metres in the municipality of Cabrales, within the Picos de Europa National Park. Cabrales is partly within the national park, which gives it great landscape, ecological and cultural value. Viewpoints, trails and the culture of Cabrales cheese offer different ways to shape your stay.

Viewpoints with different locations

Several miradores offer views of Picu Urriellu, but they are in different locations. Mirador del Urriellu is near Bulnes and can be reached via the trail to Collado de Pandébano. Above Poncebos, in the village of Camarmeña, lies Mirador de Camarmeña. Mirador del Pozo de la Oración is outside the national park, near Poo de Cabrales on the AS-114 road.

Mirador Pedro Udaondo is in Asiego and offers spectacular views of Picu Urriellu. Asiego can be reached via a local road from Arenas de Cabrales. You can therefore distinguish between the viewpoints by their specific locations: on the trail to Collado de Pandébano, above Poncebos, near Poo de Cabrales or in Asiego.

Trails, gorges and access

The three limestone massifs of the Picos de Europa meet at Poncebos. From there, the Cares Gorge, the Canal del Texu to the village of Bulnes and the gorge of the River Duje continue onwards. Access to the Ruta del Cares from Cabrales is via Poncebos; transport options may vary seasonally. Check the current transport arrangements when planning your route.

Bulnes has no road connection and can only be reached on foot or by funicular. As the funicular’s operation should be checked before travelling, it is advisable to consult the current timetable. Another trail, the Ruta del Río Casaño, starts in La Molina. Water levels can affect conditions there. Poncebos and La Molina are therefore different starting points for planning your walks.

Experience Cabrales cheese

The Cueva Exposición Cabrales is dedicated to the past and present of Cabrales cheese. Guided visits last around 45 minutes. The first part takes place in a natural cave, where visitors learn about cheese-making, the surrounding landscape and the lives of shepherds in the Picos de Europa. In the second part, an audiovisual presentation illustrates modern production in a cheese dairy; the visit ends with a tasting.

The origin of the milk is also part of the cheese-making tradition: it must come exclusively from registered herds in the production area. This area includes the municipality of Cabrales and three villages in Peñamellera Alta. Every year, on the last Sunday in August, Arenas hosts the Festival del Queso Cabrales. It is recognised as a Fiesta de Interés Turístico. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the current annual programme.

Cave art and its interpretation

Cueva de Covaciella is part of the UNESCO World Heritage property “Cave of Altamira and Palaeolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain”. The cave preserves paintings from the Magdalenian period that are more than 14,000 years old. The cave itself is not open to visitors. However, visitors can explore the cave interpretation space at La Casa Bárcena in Carreña; check access before your visit.

The Ruta de los Artistas de la Covaciella starts at Museo Casa Bárcena. There, visitors can see a replica of the bison from Cueva de la Covaciella. Access to the museum may vary, so it is worth checking in advance. Cave art, its interpretation and the route thus offer different cultural points of interest.

Plan your stay

When choosing where to stay, consider which experiences are important for your trip: access to the Ruta del Cares is via Poncebos, the Ruta del Río Casaño starts in La Molina, and cheese and cave culture each have their own places to visit. Decide which of these themes you would like to focus on, and check the relevant access and visitor arrangements as part of your planning.

Discover more destinations: Puertas, Berodia, Inguanzo, Tielve, Carreña, Ortiguero, Asiego, Mieres.

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