In June, the Sultan's Trail from Sofia to Istanbul experiences variable weather patterns across its diverse regions. Starting in Sofia, temperatures vary significantly with frequent rain showers, interspersed with cloudy and sunny days. As the trail progresses through regions like Rila and Smolyan, rainfall continues to alternate with clearer skies, often leading to fluctuating temperatures. In the later parts of the journey, across East Macedonia and Thrace towards Istanbul, the weather settles into a warmer, more stable pattern with fewer rainy days and more sunshine, making for a pleasant end to the hike.
The month starts in Sofia with temperatures ranging from 14°C to 27°C. The weather fluctuates between heavy rain showers and sunny spells. Frequent cloud cover persists, particularly during morning hours. Moderate rain at times gives way to clearer evenings.
In Rila, the temperatures are generally mild, with highs reaching up to 30°C. The first few days see predominantly sunny conditions, although heavy rain is not uncommon, especially in the mountains. The nights can be cool, falling to around 10°C.
This region experiences quite variable weather. Days can begin with sunshine, but thunderstorms and heavy rain showers become more frequent. Temperatures vary between 10°C and 35°C, showing a significant difference between the warmest and coolest days.
Early in the month, Smolyan sees a mix of sunny days and moderate showers. The weather transitions from predominantly dry to frequent rain by month's end. Despite the sporadic rain, daytime temperatures often reach up to 31°C.
Kardzhali has long periods of sunshine with occasional cloud cover and rain showers. The temperatures remain warm, with peaks hitting 34°C. Rain showers become less frequent as June progresses.
In Haskovo, conditions are mostly dry, with sunny weather prevailing throughout. Temperatures peak at 37°C. There are scattered showers, particularly early in the month, but these give way to extended dry spells.
Here, the high temperatures dominate, ranging from 27°C to 40°C. Most days are sunny, but short bursts of rain offer brief relief from the heat. The evenings remain warm and pleasant.
Edirne presents mainly sunny weather interspersed with occasional patchy rain. Towards the end of the month, temperatures peak at 38°C. Daily lows hover around 16°C.
Arriving in Istanbul, the weather is warm and sunny, with highs regularly reaching 33°C. The presence of clouds reduces, and the few rain showers are brief and spread out. By the end of the month, temperatures remain high, supporting a warm conclusion to the trail.
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