We found this road when looking for a break from the main IC1 road to Portimao.

If heading South to Portimao on the IC1 leave at the sign for Monchique.

Follow the Monchique signs turning left over the small railway track onto the N267.

Stay on the N267 for about 17miles towards Monchique.  This is a quite tree lined road with some viewing stops.

Monchique is a pretty little town in the mountain range of Serra de Monchique about 30 minutes drive from Portimao.  If you head for the centre you will arrive at a cobbled square with a few cafes for a stop off.

Or you can continue by turning left by the fountain in the main square and follow the sign to Foia to take the N266-3 towards Foia. 

This will take you up a steep hill where you will find the restaurant  Luar da Foia.  There is parking in front and a small car park over the road.  From the outside this looks like any other cafe/bar but walk through and there is a terrace with the most amazing views over the valley below.  Even though it was lunchtime they were happy to serve us a coffee and cake.

From here we re-traced our route back to the centre and followed the Portimao signs to take us onto the N-266 to Portimao. Another scenic road that inevitably ends up in a more built up area as you approach Portimao.

The view from the cafe terrace...

More viewing stops

If travelling from Santander take exit 272 from the A8 towards Unquare/Panes/Potes/Picos de Europa to join the N-621.

The first section of the road is sweeping bends through villages but soon starts to give you views of the mountains ahead. After Panes the bends become tighter and the road follows the river.  

After entering Potes the road bends to the left signed N-621 La Vega, but we recommend continuing straight on into the centre of Potes following the road to the right over the bridge were you will find a large free car park.  There are plenty of cafes and shops here to take a break.

Turning right out of the carpark will take you along to the Picos Mountains where the road ends at the Parador de Fuente Dé (see Aston friendly places) and a cable car to the top.  

If you retrace your steps to the junction for the N-621 you will be rewarded with around 50 miles of bending mountain roads with several viewing points to stop and admire the view. 

From the top the road continues to bend around through tunnels and across a river ending at Cisterierna.

A few views you can enjoy along the road: