In the quiet Danube village of Gorno Ablanovo – a stop along the Adventure version of the Dunav Ultra route – begins one of the most remarkable stories of Bulgarian success abroad.

On October 6, 1926, Ignat Kaneff was born into the family of Hristo and Mita Kanevi. He was the fourth of seven children, with three brothers (Kanyo, Lambi, and Simeon) and three sisters (Kuna, Maria, and Petra). His childhood unfolded to the rhythm of the Danube, but fate would take him far beyond its shores – never to return for good.

In 1941, just 14 years old, Kaneff left Bulgaria. His journey first took him to Austria and eventually to Canada, where he began a new life from scratch – no money, no connections, only ambition and an unbreakable spirit.

Through relentless hard work, vision, and an entrepreneurial drive, Kaneff founded the Kaneff Group – a construction company that would grow to become one of the leading real estate developers in Canada. Under his leadership, the company built residential and commercial complexes and managed large-scale development projects. Its assets eventually exceeded one billion dollars – a true testament to sustainable growth and long-term vision.

Later in life, Ignat Kaneff was awarded the highest honors from the Canadian state. He became known not only as a successful businessman but as a world-class philanthropist. His generous contributions supported hospitals, universities, and cultural institutions – both in Canada and in Bulgaria. Among the many places that bear his legacy are the local cultural center in Gorno Ablanovo and the Kaneff University Hospital in Ruse, which proudly carries his name – a lasting symbol of gratitude to one of the region’s greatest benefactors.

Ignat Kaneff’s name is included in our selection of the 100 Dunav Ultra Highlights – an initiative celebrating key sites and figures that shape the identity of the route and the Danube region.

Cyclists – and all other travelers – who pass through Gorno Ablanovo can visit the Kaneff Center: a small but deeply moving exhibition dedicated to his life and work. Through photographs, personal items, and archival documents, visitors experience the strength of human will and the profound bond between a visionary man and the land that shaped him.

Garash Cake is one of the most elegant and memorable desserts in Bulgarian culinary tradition. Its story begins in 1885 in the city of Ruse – a place once known as “Little Vienna” for its refined atmosphere and strong Central European influence during a time when gastronomy was experiencing a golden age.

The cake’s creator was Károly (Kosta) Garash – an Austro-Hungarian confectioner working at the Grand Hotel “Islyah Hane.” Historical accounts say the cake was originally crafted for high-society receptions, including visits from royal guests passing through Ruse. With its minimalist ingredients and rich flavor, Garash Cake quickly became a symbol of class and sophistication.

The original recipe features five layers of walnut sponge, flourless, joined by a silky chocolate buttercream and topped with a dark chocolate glaze. The result is a cake with a deep yet refined taste, a timeless classic beloved by generations of dessert connoisseurs.

Today, Garash Cake is not just a dessert – it’s a piece of Ruse’s cultural heritage. Each year, the city hosts the Garash Cake Festival – a vibrant event that blends the art of pastry-making with music and the spirit of old Ruse. Local masters and visiting pastry chefs gather to pay tribute to this elegant creation. Visitors can take part in competitions for the best Garash cake, taste and buy a variety of interpretations – from traditional slices to bonbons, mousses, and more.

It’s no surprise that Garash Cake is included in the 100 Dunav Ultra Highlights 2025. For cyclists on the Dunav Ultra route and guests exploring the city, Ruse offers more than just a panoramic view of the Danube and a rich historical legacy – it serves a taste of a sweet legend that continues to inspire.

Hidden in the heart of the Dobrudzha Plateau, far from the typical tourist trails, lies one of the most mysterious natural regions in Northeastern Bulgaria – the canyon of the Dry River (Suhata Reka). With its rocky ridges, ancient sanctuaries, and countless layers of history, this place is a true discovery for curious travelers and cycling explorers who seek adventures off the beaten path.

The name Suhata Reka (“Dry River”) is etymologically linked to the Turkish word taban – meaning low, flood-prone land. Although the river rarely flows above ground, underground waters and karst processes have shaped a rugged and majestic landscape – filled with vertical canyons, caves, and natural rock shelters. The area stretches for dozens of kilometers across the Dobrudzha Plateau, in the vicinity of villages like Balik, Onogur, Kalina, and Vodnyantsi, where carved gorges and limestone crowns form one of the most impressive canyon systems in this part of Bulgaria.

The closest point of connection between the canyon and the Dunav Ultra route is near the villages of Onogur and Efreitor Bakalovo – a place from which cyclists can make a short detour and dive into a natural labyrinth of stone, caves, and legend.

As early as the Middle Ages, the rocks of the Dry River became a refuge for hermit monks, possibly originating from the Caucasus or the Middle East. They carved monastic cells and small churches into the cliffs – remnants of which can still be seen in places like Nisovo and Krivnya. On the rock walls, ancient symbols, crosses, and inscriptions remain – silent witnesses of spiritual life lived deep in the wild.

Today, Suhata Reka is home to rich biodiversity, including rare orchids, owls, falcons, and reptiles. The area is part of the European ecological network Natura 2000 and offers excellent conditions for birdwatching and botanical tourism.

Hidden among the cliffs are also Thracian sanctuaries – sacred platforms and rock-cut niches aligned with the rising sun during equinoxes. Local legends speak of “talking stones” and “priest’s roads” etched into the plateau – mystical traces of forgotten rites and ancient knowledge.

The full potential of the region is still unfolding – revealing itself as a destination where the silence of nature merges with the echo of eternity. It’s no coincidence that the Dry River Canyon is featured among the 100 Dunav Ultra Highlights – a place where every turn of the pedals brings you closer to another time, another world, and a slower, deeper rhythm of life.

Southern Dobrudzha – often called “the granary of Bulgaria” – impresses not only with its golden wheat fields but also with another kind of treasure: lavender. Here, on the fertile lands of the Dobrudzha plateau and under the generous sun, the aromatic crop thrives, turning the region into one of the leading centers for lavender production in the country.

The Dobrich region, and especially the area around the town of General Toshevo, has established itself as the aromatic heart of Bulgaria – with endless purple fields stretching across the horizon, creating a dreamlike landscape that feels like Provence, but with a distinctly Bulgarian charm.

From this lavender, precious essential oil is extracted – a product with wide applications in cosmetics, aromatherapy, and pharmaceuticals. Bulgarian lavender oil is world-renowned for its high quality, thanks to the favorable climate and long-standing agricultural traditions.

Over the past decade, Bulgaria has emerged as one of the world’s top exporters of lavender oil, and Southern Dobrudzha plays a significant role in this success – blending modern production methods with nature’s abundance.

Every June, the town of General Toshevo hosts the National Lavender Festival – a colorful celebration featuring visits to blooming lavender fields, local product markets, and lively folk music performances. The event attracts hundreds of guests from across Bulgaria and beyond, turning the town into a vibrant hub of fragrant culture.

Lavender here is not just an agricultural crop – it’s a cultural emblem. That’s why General Toshevo and its surroundings are included in the 100 Dunav Ultra Highlights. In this part of the route, the scent of lavender becomes part of the cycling adventure – telling the story of a land rooted in tradition, shaped by hard work, and blessed with natural beauty.

The Red-breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis) is one of Europe’s rarest and most striking waterbirds. With its compact body, bold black-and-white plumage, and a distinctive chestnut-red collar, this small goose is not only a jewel of the wild, but also a species of exceptional conservation importance.

Native to the remote tundras of Siberia, the Red-breasted Goose undertakes an epic journey each autumn, flying thousands of kilometers to reach its wintering grounds around the Black Sea. Along the way, it passes through Northeastern Bulgaria and over stretches of the Dunav Ultra route. One of its most vital winter stopovers is the Durankulak region – a haven where ideal feeding and resting conditions await.

This elegant bird is critically endangered – listed in Bulgaria’s Red Data Book and on numerous international conservation lists. An interesting trait of the species is its tendency to travel in mixed flocks with Greater White-fronted Geese – larger, more numerous birds that share similar feeding patterns.

Today, the Red-breasted Goose is proudly featured among the 100 Dunav Ultra Highlights – a reminder that the Dunav Ultra route reveals not only cultural treasures, but also natural wonders hidden among the fields and wetlands of Bulgaria’s northeast.

For travelers and cyclists who journey this far, a glimpse of this rare bird in its winter habitat is more than just a highlight – it’s a privilege.