Historic Town Centers Route 1

Explore a string of historic town cores on a mostly paved, touring-friendly collection. It links old towns via quiet roads, riverside paths, and village streets, with classic cobbles in the centers and a few short gravel or track connectors. Terrain is gently rolling overall but adds up to roughly 1,300 m of climbing across the full route, so it works as a big day out or an easy multi-day wander. Start anywhere; the towns make perfect pit stops for coffee, bakeries, and quick sights. Best on a trekking/touring bike or comfy gravel setup. Road bikes are fine if you’re okay with cobbles and the odd rough patch. Expect mostly low-traffic riding, plus occasional busy stretches—use lights and take care. Wayfinding can twist through the old towns, so keep a map handy. Ride it for the history, stay for the atmosphere. Lock up for short strolls, snap the medieval lanes and market squares, then roll on to the next old town.