From Gouveia, the route crosses the massif following the upper Zêzere Valley. Up on the high rocky plateaus, note the granite boulders formed by erosion like the Cabeça do Velho (“Old Man’s Head”). The Mondego rises at an altitude of 1 360m. From the road there is a fine view over the mountain village of Manteigas and the Zêzere Glacial Valley opposite, after which begins the steep winding descent down the upper Zêzere Valley; a viewpoint offers a fine view along the length of the valley.