The yellow hiking trail along the Bila Opava Waterfalls is accessible again. However, the small parking area remains closed until further notice due to post-flood clean-up work. Visitors are kindly asked to use the large parking lot in Karlova Studanka near the Hubertus restaurant. Navigation to the parking area can be found below.
You can park your car either at the small free parking lot directly at the entrance to Bila Opava, or at the paid parking lot in Karlova Studanka, located a few hundred meters further. Due to frequent occupancy and improper parking by visitors along the roadside, we recommend using the parking lot in Karlova Studanka.
The entrance to the valley is located opposite the small parking lot. The approximately one-kilometer-long trail from the road to the first signpost, Na Paloucku, is easy and leads through a beautiful forest along the Bila Opava stream.
At the Na Paloucku signpost, you can choose between a more challenging trail that passes close to waterfalls, cascades, rock formations, and rapids, or an easier route with a gentler profile.
Many hikers prefer the challenging path uphill. If you visit during the week in peak season, expect higher traffic and possible delays, especially at narrow or difficult sections.
On the more challenging trail, you will encounter obstacles such as fallen logs, slippery rocks, narrow paths, ladders, and footbridges crossing the Bila Opava river.
Next, you will arrive at the common signpost called Nad vodopady Bile Opavy. You would reach this point even if you had chosen the blue hiking trail from the Na Paloucku signpost.
From here, you will continue to the Barborka mountain hut. The difficulty of the route is mainly determined by the elevation gain, tree roots along the path, and the final stairs leading to the hut. Nevertheless, it is a beautiful walk through the forest along the Bila Opava.
At the Pod Ovcarnou signpost, you will join the blue hiking trail, which leads you toward the Barborka mountain hut.
From Barborka, continue along the road to the U Barborky signpost, where you will join the red hiking trail heading toward Praded.
At Praded, you can take a photo with Praded, the mystical spirit of the mountains, visit the observation tower, or enjoy the restaurant. It is the highest peak of this mountain range and the fifth highest mountain in the Czech Republic.
The upper plateau of Praded, where the TV transmitter with the observation tower is located, is the highest artificial point in the Czech Republic, reaching an altitude of 1637.5 meters above sea level.
Praded, the righteous spirit of the local peaks, who rewards good and punishes the evil deeds of all who go to the Hruby Jesenik Mountains. In the oldest depictions, Praded used to be a giant in a miner's blouse with a burner. It protected plants, animals and the overall wealth that was hidden in the bowels of the Jeseníky underground.
The mythical spirit of Praded also had power over people who harmed the living creatures of his empire. He cursed such disturbers of the peace into the form of an abused animal. Since then, it has been said that many animals in the Jeseniky Mountains have a human soul.
On your way back, you can slightly change the route. Instead of continuing to Barborka, you can follow the road towards Ovcarna.
At the Ovcarna – chata, bus signpost, head towards the parking lot and then continue along the yellow hiking trail, which will lead you to the Pod Ovcarnou signpost. From there, follow the same path back to the parking lot.
Here, you will continue along the yellow hiking trail to the Pod Ovcarnou signpost, from where you could have previously headed toward Barborka.
From there, continue along the blue hiking trail, which leads along the opposite side above the valley of the Bila Opava river. The trail is not particularly demanding, but you will encounter numerous roots and sharp stones along the way.
You will reach the Na Paloucku trail signpost, from where the path leads back to the parking lot.
