The Dunav Ultra route can be completed in two ways — Adventure and Classic.

The Classic version is best suited for standard road bikes. On this route, we sometimes move away from the Danube River, but the path follows entirely paved roads.

The Adventure version includes sections on secondary and dirt roads, as well as parts without any pavement. This option requires a specific mindset, skills, time, and equipment. It offers a deeper immersion into the region along the Danube River in Bulgaria.

Both tracks can be viewed and explored in the Dunav Ultra mobile app.

To make planning easier, we have divided the route into a total of 14 stages. Eight of them offer an Adventure version of the journey. Each stage concludes in a settlement equipped with the necessary logistical infrastructure for such an experience.
The longest stage is the Silistra–Dobrich section (102 km), while the shortest is the Adventure version of the Nikopol–Belen stage (28 km).
Detailed information about all stages can be found in the Dunav Ultra mobile app.

The route passes through a vast geographical area, encompassing Danube tributaries, protected areas, nature parks and reserves, lakes, wetlands, and agricultural lands. Visiting the Danube and Dobruja region in the right season is an exotic and unforgettable experience for every lover of new destinations.

The flora and fauna offer a unique and rich diversity of animal and plant species. Among the most interesting natural sites are:

• Persina Nature Park;
• Srebarna Biosphere Reserve;
• Kalimok-Brashlen Protected Area;
• The mouths of the Timok, Iskar, Osam, Yantra, and Cherni Lom Rivers;
• The marsh near the village of Malak Preslavets;
• The canyon of the Dry River;
• Durankulak Lake.

The Danube region offers a tempting cuisine inspired by the natural riches of the land and rivers. Fishing is not just a tradition but a way of life, and fish soup is a culinary masterpiece you must try. Fried fish is a local favorite, with catfish, carp, grass carp, bighead carp, pike-perch, and bleak being the most commonly prepared.

The flavors of Wallachian cuisine add a special charm to the region. Be sure to try sarmale (stuffed cabbage rolls), mamaliga (cornmeal porridge – polenta), jumari (fried pork cracklings), or the spicy Wallachian salmura — a delightful mix between a stew and a soup.

The summer months reveal the true potential of the region, with an abundance of juicy fruits, aromatic vegetables, and vineyards. In Dobruja, you’ll find apricots, peaches, plums, melons, and watermelons — all symbols of summer.

In different parts of the region, you can also try unique local specialties:

• In Vidin: “prosenik” (a type of flatbread);
• In the Silistra area: watermelon molasses or beetroot molasses;
• Along the Black Sea coast: fresh horse mackerel and shad.

Apricot brandy is considered a true elixir, and wine is an inseparable part of the locals’ lifestyle.

Some of the most interesting places to taste delicious fish soup include Vidin, Svishtov, Ruse, Tutrakan, Popina, Vetren, Silistra, and Durankulak.

In 2018, we introduced the list of the “100 Dunav Ultra Landmarks” for the first time. This special selection brings together distinctive sites and themes from the region, which can be experienced with all the senses. Among them are:

• cultural and historical landmarks,
• fortresses,
• archaeological sites,
• temples,
• museums,
• natural phenomena,
• animals and birds,
• local traditions and cuisine.

All these elements reveal the unique identity of the Dunav Ultra route.

The list is updated annually. Check out the latest selection for 2024: “100-те Дунав Ултра забележителности”

The Dunav Ultra mobile app is the official guide to the Dunav Ultra route.

The app offers a rich information database and geolocation for various logistical and recommended points of interest:

• accommodation with a “bicycle-friendly” concept;
• shops in small villages;
• bicycle repair services;
• local eateries;
• landmarks and points of interest;
• exciting events;
• partner information.

Through the “Checkpoints” functionality in the app, anyone who has completed the route can obtain an official certificate. Access to the “Checkpoints” is provided with a personal code included in the “Dunav Ultra Adventure” kit.

In 2018, we introduced, for the first time, the issuance of a certificate for anyone who completed the Danube Ultra route during the summer season. The certificate is not only proof of successful completion but also a way to support our cause and contribute to the effective development of the region.

Anyone who verifies their passage through the 26 designated checkpoints along the route can receive a certificate. These checkpoints include specially selected landmarks or lesser-known “hidden” locations that highlight the region’s uniqueness.

Checkpoint verification is done through our Dunav Ultra mobile app, with access granted via a unique code included in the Danube Ultra Adventure kit.

An alternative way to obtain a certificate is by participating in the mass ride along the route, held annually at the end of each summer.