Due to the nationwide heat alert, the Börzsöny Mountain Rescue Service urges all hikers to take extra precautions when planning trips this weekend. Although many people head to the mountains seeking cooler temperatures, forecasts indicate that even the higher elevations will experience temperatures around 35°C, with exposed ridgelines becoming even hotter under direct sunlight.
The Börzsöny Mountain Rescue Service therefore issues the following safety advice:
☀️ Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
Extreme heat poses the greatest risk to young children, older adults, people with cardiovascular conditions, and those with little hiking experience. High temperatures cause fatigue much more quickly, reduce concentration, and significantly increase the risk of accidents.
We strongly advise children, elderly hikers, people with heart or circulatory conditions, and inexperienced hikers not to plan demanding hikes towards Nagy-Hideg-hegy or Csóványos in the hope of finding cooler weather. Even at higher elevations, temperatures are expected to reach 30–35°C, making these climbs extremely demanding.
💧 Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of fluids before and throughout your hike.
Carry at least 2–3 litres of drinking water per person for longer hikes. Under these exceptional conditions, bringing twice that amount is strongly recommended.
Do not wait until you feel thirsty before drinking.
🥾 Plan Your Hike Carefully
Whenever possible, start your hike early in the morning.
Avoid long climbs and exposed ridges between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., when temperatures are at their highest.
Choose shorter routes that remain in shaded valleys whenever possible.
🧢 Protect Yourself from the Sun
Wear light-coloured, breathable clothing that covers your skin, use a hat or cap, apply high-factor sunscreen regularly, and do not forget sunglasses.
⏱️ Allow More Time
Hot weather slows everyone down.
If you find that you are progressing much more slowly than expected, turn back while you still have enough energy rather than pushing yourself to exhaustion.
📱 Before You Set Off
Check the latest weather forecast.
Fully charge your mobile phone.
Tell someone your planned route and expected return time.
Avoid hiking alone on longer routes whenever possible.
If anyone develops dizziness, confusion, severe headache, nausea, or altered consciousness, these may be signs of serious heat-related illness. Move the person immediately into the shade, begin cooling them, and call 112 or contact the Börzsöny Mountain Rescue Service without delay if emergency assistance is required.
The Börzsöny Mountains are beautiful in every season, but extreme summer temperatures can challenge even experienced hikers. Please plan your trip carefully this weekend and avoid taking unnecessary risks.
This safety advisory was prepared by the Börzsöny Mountain Rescue Service with the professional contribution of László Nagy, forestry expert at Ipoly Erdő Ltd. and Editor-in-Chief of the journal Forestier.
A figyelmeztetések a Börzsönyi Hegyimentő Szolgálat és Nagy László, az Ipoly Erdő Zrt. munkatársának, az Erdészeti Lapok főszerkesztőjének közreműködésével készülnek
