Vysoký vodopád

Vysoký vodopád is the highest waterfall in the Hrubý Jeseník range and one of the tallest in the whole Czech Republic. It lies on the Studený potok stream on the Silesian side of the mountains, about three kilometres north of the Švýcárna cottage, in the cadastral area of Bělá pod Pradědem.

Over a short distance the water drops from 1018 to 990 metres in elevation, falling a total of 28 metres. The waterfall used to be even taller — before 1880 it reached 45 metres, with water falling in a free drop. During a flood in 1880, soil slid into the impact zone and reduced the waterfall's height to today's 28 metres, with the water now forming smaller cascades in the lower section. Even so, it remains the tallest waterfall in the Jeseníky Mountains.

In 1982 a nature reserve covering more than 141 hectares was declared here, protecting the mountain forest, the waterfall itself, and rare moss communities. The surrounding nature is so well preserved that the Eurasian lynx has been confirmed to live here. The path to the waterfall leads through beautiful mountain scenery and rewards visitors with one of the most striking natural corners of the Jeseníky range.

Vysoký vodopád is a rewarding destination on hikes around Praděd and the Švýcárna cottage. Since it lies in the heart of the mountains, it pairs ideally with a multi-day stay in the Jeseníky Mountains — from accommodation around Bělá pod Pradědem or Kouty nad Desnou you can reach it on a lovely full-day hike combined with exploring other peaks of the range.