The day began with a series of technical rescue operations. Despite repeated warnings, several drivers attempted to reach the Cseresznyefa parking area using ordinary passenger cars on roads covered with black ice. Many became stranded or slid into roadside ditches, and the mountain rescuers assisted wherever possible.
Around midday, while lending snow chains to one stranded vehicle, the rescuers received an emergency call about a hiker who had suffered a serious ankle injury between Magyarkút and Szokolya. The on-duty mountain rescuers immediately responded from Királyrét, while the dispatcher accurately located the injured hiker using an emergency SMS location service and coordinated the operation with the Hungarian National Ambulance Service.
Fortunately, the casualty was in an area accessible by off-road vehicle. The three-person rescue team, including a paramedic, quickly reached the scene. Despite being properly dressed and equipped for winter hiking, the woman had slipped awkwardly on the ice, sustaining a severe ankle injury. After stabilising the injury, the rescuers transported her by rescue vehicle to a pre-arranged rendezvous point in Verőce, where the Hungarian National Ambulance Service was waiting.
The ambulance crew took over the patient in stable condition and transported her to the Military Hospital in Budapest for further treatment.
After completing the rescue, the mountain rescuers returned to the Királyrét area and had just begun winching another vehicle out of a ditch when they received a new call. Two hikers had taken the wrong route while descending from Nagy-Hideg-hegy and, instead of reaching Királyrét, had ended up near Bányapuszta.
After speaking with the hikers, the duty dispatcher established that they were not truly lost—their exact location was known—but they had become frightened as darkness fell and no longer felt safe continuing through the forest.
The mountain rescuers immediately drove to Bányapuszta, located the hikers, and transported them safely back to an inhabited area.
Winter Safety Warning
The Börzsöny Mountain Rescue Service once again warns all visitors that icy conditions currently exist throughout the Börzsöny Mountains, including at lower elevations.
Effective from 1 January 2026 until further notice
The Börzsöny Mountain Rescue Service advises all hikers to enter the mountains only with appropriate experience, preparation, and equipment.
⚠️ High Risk of Slips and Falls
Wet snow and slush are freezing overnight, creating widespread icy conditions with a high risk of serious injuries. Traction devices such as microspikes are considered essential for safe hiking.
🚗 Icy Mountain Roads
Roads throughout the Börzsöny are extremely slippery. Accessing locations such as the Cseresznyefa parking area by passenger car can be hazardous.
⚠️ Risk of Hypothermia
Wear appropriate waterproof and windproof clothing, sturdy hiking boots, and suitable winter equipment.
⚠️ Falling Trees
Snow, ice and wind increase the risk of falling trees and branches, posing a danger both to hikers and to vehicles parked in forest parking areas.
⚠️ Navigation and Time Planning
Snow, mud and ice significantly slow progress and make navigation more difficult. Remember that daylight hours are short during winter. Well-prepared hikers can safely complete their trips, but visitors without proper winter equipment should avoid starting hikes into the High Börzsöny after 10:00 a.m.
