Serra de Monchique (from Caldas de Monchique)

The approach from Caldas de Monchique — the thermal spa village — is a more aggressive alternative to the gentler N266 corridor. After the initial switchbacks leaving the valley floor, the road narrows and the gradient regularly touches 10-13% through dense forest. It is substantially less trafficked than the main Monchique road and offers a legitimate climbing challenge. The upper section joins the N267 for the final push to Monchique town, from where Fóia is a natural continuation.