Weather forecast for the Sultan's Trail: Sofia - Istanbul in November

In November, along the Sultan's Trail from Sofia to Istanbul, weather conditions are dynamic. Sofia sees both clear days and bouts of showers with temperatures from -1°C to 23°C. As the trail progresses into the Rila region, expect more frequent rainfall, especially around khiza Makedoniya and Belitsa. The trail through Pazardzhik generally experiences milder weather with some rainy intervals. Moving further into Smolyan, rain showers become more prominent, with occasional temperatures dropping below zero. Kardzhali and Haskovo see a mix of partly cloudy and rainy days, while East Macedonia and Thrace into Edirne face occasional heavy rains. Finally, reaching Istanbul, the weather alternates between rain and brief sunny intervals, with temperatures ranging widely from 8°C to 17°C.

Forecast settings

Start date
Oct 12
Start town
Sofia
End date
Nov 26
End town
Istanbul
Units
metric (°C, mm, km)
Change forecast settingsSwitch to imperial units (°F, in, mi)
Total days
46
Total distance
978 km
Daily distance
21.3 km
Average high
15°C
Average low
7°C
Average precipitation
1.7 mm/day

Sofia

In Sofia, November begins with a mix of sunny and cloudy weather. Temperatures fluctuate significantly, with highs reaching up to 23°C on warmer days and lows dipping to -1°C. Rainfall is sporadic, featuring moderate showers interspersed with dry spells.

Moving towards Aleko and Yarlovo, the weather remains relatively dry and sunny for most of the journey, but occasional rain showers are possible, especially at higher altitudes. As you approach Belchin, expect a combination of partly cloudy skies and rain with a notable persistence of moderate showers, although dry days are not uncommon.

In Samokov, weather conditions are similar to previous stages, with mainly dry days punctuated by periodic rainfall. Temperatures here are generally mild, with highs around 18°C.

Rila

As you enter the Rila region, the weather remains diverse. Khiza Mechit sees occasional heavy rain, particularly at times, while between sunny spells, khiza Makedoniya often experiences intense rain showers. The trek to Rila Monastery is characterized by a mix of sun and moderate showers, with precipitation decreasing as you progress through the day.

Further up at Belitsa, rainfall is more prevalent, with substantial downpours occurring intermittently. Rainfall can be quite heavy, so prepared for wet ground conditions.

Pazardzhik

In the Pazardzhik region, Yakoruda and Yundola experience cloud cover with sporadic sunny breaks. Rain is moderate but increases sharply around Velingrad, where rainfall, albeit on occasional days, tends to be heavier. Batak and Shiroka Polyana Dam experience considerable cloud coverage with episodes of both heavy and light rain.

Smolyan

Umbrella-ready is the mantra as you venture into Smolyan. With notable rainfall in Borino and Yagodina, shifts between partly cloudy to overcast skies are common, and the weather remains pliable yet unpredictable with temperatures just above freezing. At the Smolyan area, showers intensify, characterized by periods of light freezing rain mixed with sunny breaks.

Kardzhali

While Kardzhali starts with scattered sun, Ardino and Kitnitsa experience bouts of heavy rainfall amidst overcast skies. The persistent cloudiness shifts into shaded spells, especially during rain showers, though patches of dry weather sneak in intermittently.

Haskovo

In Haskovo, noticeable temperature variation and plentiful rainfall shape the climate. In Madrets, Rabovo, and Madzharovo, encounters with substantial downpours are frequent, surrounded by short dry patches. Periods of freezing rain also occur, yet they quickly dissolve into moderate rain.

East Macedonia and Thrace

Fylákio opens the path to East Macedonia and Thrace, with overcast skies dominating. Moderate rains interlace with sparse breaks of sunshine, leaving the area drenched most days.

Edirne

In Edirne, sun struggles between bouts of intense rain showers. Partly cloudy days give way to heavier downpours that command attention, especially around Süloğlu and Kirklareli. Temperatures cool down, dropping below double digits during the rainier stretches.

Istanbul

Finally, in Istanbul, the weather flips between cloudy skies and frequent showers of varying intensity. Rain dominates, though brief sunlit windows temper the atmosphere, leading to wide temperature ranges from as low as 8°C to peaks of 17°C during transient sunny spells.

This overview is for an early November start, walking the standard stages.
But, I'll be happy to make one specifically for this forecast.

Comparing weather across different Caminos?

Looking for inspiration?

Browse our overviews:
Loading overviews...

Looking for a weather forecast for a different Camino?

Loading caminos...

Want to leave some feedback?

Would you like me to add a new feature to the app? Or did you notice that something isn't working the way it should? Please Let me know!