Asturias: Ribadsella advice for daytrips inland please.

I thought Potes was very pretty, and it has a lot of stone. It is not undiscovered, however, so it may not suit you. ViaMichelin estimates the driving time from Ribadesella at 81 minutes.

Photos of Potes from Google

The Covadonga Lakes have shuttles running from the Basilica. It saves driving on mountain roads and it is a beautiful area for hiking. In fact I believe the shuttle is mandatory in high season, see here for information.
As a bonus, it is the closest part to Ribadesella.

Check schedules carefully for those shuttles. I think they weren't running in June 2016; I think they were due to start in July. I have no idea about September.

Thanks for the advice balso, I hope I can get those shuttles into my schedule.

Acraven, how was the drive to Portes. Hair raising?

I've driven to and around Potes area and I don't think it is too bad, coming from the sea you basically take a two lane road, the N-621, that snakes its way through a steep river gorge, you are not in any altitude, just following the river at the bottom of the steep mountains. Looks like this (google maps link)

I second the idea of Covadonga, well worth a visit, known as the "Cradle of Spain", where the Reconquista was birthed after a fateful battle against the Moors. The holy cave under the waterfall holds the tombs of the 8th century Visigothic King Pelagius, very mystical ambiance. The easy hike up to the Alpine lakes is stunning. Plus will be very easy drive from where you are based.

I remember nice river-gorge scenery rather than scary mountain roads.

Don’t miss Tito Bustillo cave 30000+ year old cave art, the real deal not a reconstruction. Covadonga lakes are beautiful. Check out the Ruta de Cares(sp). Potes and Fuente De cable car are too far for a day trip from Ribadesella IMHO….fantastic though!

Brad

The road up to the Lakes of Covadonga fits your description of a thin road with steep drop offs, also with no guard rails in a lot of places, and an added bonus of cows wandering. It is certainly absolutely stunning when you get there though. My husband would most likely say the same as you - he never wants to take me on a similar road:) The shuttle buses weren’t running in May this year, must be only later in the season.

According to the link I shared above, the shuttle is running in September (except on 8 September, somehow). In fact it's mandatory to use it.

I agree on the Cueva Tito Bustillo. The art rivals Altamira, and it's the real thing. Also agree on Lagos de Covadonga, and note the shuttle isn't mandatory, but you have to be at the gate at the basilica before 8 AM. But it does sound like the drive is what you want to avoid, so maybe the shuttle is better.

The Ruta del Cares is spectacular, but could make for a long day, especially if you elect to hike out and back (4x4 shuttles are available if you prefer one way). It's completely flat and level, except for the first 1 km or so from Poncebos, which is somewhat steep.

If the Ruta del Cares is too long of a day for you, another option is to hike to and/or from Poncebos to Bulnes, you can also hike one way and take a funicular for the other leg. The hike is steady uphill, but not exceedingly difficult. Parking at Poncebos can be limited, and depending on personal comfort, the drive to Poncebos might be a bit intimidating, a bus is available from Las Arenas to Poncebos. (Poncebos is also the start of the Ruta del Cares). Check Google street view and decide based on your comfort level and preferences.

The Lagos and Poncebos are much closer to Ribadasella than Potes, so if you want to keep your day to 8 hours, they might be better options than Potes. On the hiking, the hike to Bulnes is steady uphill but not excessively steep, the hiking in the Lagos is mostly level, and the Ruta del Cares is entirely level except for the first 1 km or so from Poncebos.

As far as a "very old" village, you may not find much within 1.5 hours of Ribadasella. Bulnes is an old, stone village, but since the funicular, is somewhat gentrified with farmhouses turned into cafes and restaurants. Santillana del Mar is old, but also populated by tourists. Peñalba de Santiago certainly fits the bill, but is closer to 3 hrs (each way) from Ribadasella and the drive may be in parts what you want to avoid.