When Hiking or Visiting the mountains !!! Avoid hiking alone. Always travel in a group and listen to your leader’s/guide’s instructions. Adhere to the markings/sign posts. Do not take unnecessary shortcuts, especially in inclement weather. Do not move too quickly—you may become exhausted and lose your bearings. Use lightweight, synthetic, weatherproof clothing. Always carry at least one dry set of clothing. Always carry drinking water and high-energy bars. Bandages are also good to have on hand. In a thunderstorm, do not take cover under large single trees or in rock crevasses, avoid moving along ridges or sharp protruding parts of the mountain, and do not carry large metal objects or equipment. Carefully consider how much equipment you can safely carry, the time it takes to hike a trail, and how much information you actually have of the area. Do not overdo by undertaking additional, unplanned treks. In winter, use snowshoes or skis whenever possible. In winter, hiking through unmarked routes through the forest may be far more dangerous than hiking in the treeless areas. Keep an eye out for avalanches. In winter, always consult the Mountain Rescue Service before choosing a route. Avoid moving or staying for extended periods of time in the high-mountain zone (at altitudes over 2,000 meters). Use sunglasses and sun block. If you lose your bearings, do not panic. Gather only those mushrooms and wild fruits that you recognize! Many species of plants growing in the mountains are poisonous. If an insect or snake bites you, drink plenty of fluids, apply a cold compress to the affected area, and seek medical help. Build campfires at designated areas only. When leaving the site, extinguish the fire completely and clean up your debris. Burning bushes and grass to clear pastures is strictly forbidden. In the event of a possible forest fire, immediately notify Park personnel or nearest chalet keeper. Do not attempt to handle large fires yourself—this is extremely dangerous. If you decide to assist Park personnel, follow their instructions. Marking Thousands of kilometers of marked trails provide a high degree of security when moving around in the mountains. The four-colour marking characteristic of most European countries with developed hiking is adopted in Bulgaria. The key colours in it are red, blue, green and yellow, and white colour is an auxiliary one. It should be known that the red marking, in principle, is for ridges. Winter marking consists of yellow-black metal stakes, at a height of between 3 and 4 m and indicates the comparatively safest way along a certain route in the event of thick snow cover. The greater part of the routes, particularly in Rila, Pirin and Stara planina have azimuth table plates in addition to the numbering of the stakes.