site.btaMountain Rescue Service Warns of Unfavourable Conditions for High-Altitude Tourism on Sunday

Conditions for tourism in the higher parts of Bulgaria’s mountains are unsuitable on Sunday, and going above the forest belt is not recommended, the Mountain Rescue Service (MRS) with the Bulgarian Red Cross told BTA.

Strong winds are blowing everywhere, while snow is melting due to unusually warm weather. Temperatures are positive at most locations, with 8C in Borovets (Rila Mountain) and 1C at Aleko (Vitosha Mountain). Only at Mount Botev (Balkan Mountains) the temperature is below zero, at minus 1C, MRS said.

Fog is also present in the highest parts of the mountains, making conditions there unpleasant. Tourism at high altitude is therefore inadvisable, while conditions within the forest belt are expected to be more favourable, rescuers added.

Because of the very strong winds, people are advised to be well equipped with warm clothing. In addition, as temperatures rise, the risk of avalanches increases, so hikers should be cautious and follow winter trail markings, MRS further warned, also noting that if temperatures drop in the coming days, conditions in the mountains will become extremely unsuitable, requiring heightened caution from visitors.