Velký vodopád — the 'Great Waterfall' — is the crown jewel of the Bílá Opava canyon, one of the most dramatic gorges in the Czech Jeseníky Mountains. The waterfall drops 7.9 m and forms part of a cascade that stretches 40 m in length with a total height of 16.4 m. It is raw, powerful, and utterly unforgettable.

The Bílá Opava canyon runs for about 2.5 km through gneiss slopes of Praděd mountain, with the river descending over 400 m through rapids, cascades and waterfalls. The trail winds over wooden footbridges and ladders high above the riverbed, and in exposed sections you rely on iron chains for safety — this is a via ferrata-style path through the wilderness. The canyon feels lush and cool in summer, dramatic and colourful in autumn, and breathtakingly powerful in spring snowmelt. In winter the trail is officially closed due to extreme hazard.

• Karlova Studánka (Hotel Hubertus) — yellow trail (nature trail), approx. 2 km to the canyon entrance, demanding with ladders, footbridges and chain-secured sections
• Alternative: from Ovčárna mountain hut below Praděd — descend via yellow trail; a shuttle bus runs from the Hvězda junction near Karlova Studánka
• Less experienced hikers should take the blue trail along the canyon rim instead

• The yellow canyon trail is recommended for uphill travel only
• Closed in winter — not passable under any circumstances
• Located within the Praděd National Nature Reserve and the Jeseníky Protected Landscape Area
• Information kiosk at the reserve entrance

Keep an eye out for the Sudeten ringlet butterfly — a rare endemic species found only in the Jeseníky Mountains, making this canyon one of the most ecologically precious corners of the Czech Republic.