Vodopád v Bílé strži, Waterfall in the Šumava Mountains, Czech Republic

Vodopád v Bílé strži is a waterfall on the middle course of the Bílý potok in the Šumava, at 940 m on the northeastern slopes of Královský hvozd. The stream drops 13 m over several steps and cascades, the highest 7 m, in a canyon-like valley cut into biotite-muscovite schist with granite and quartz veins.

The area became a protected nature reserve in 1972 to safeguard the mountain forest and its ancient trees. This protection status has helped keep the woodland and its natural character intact over the following decades.

The name Bílá Strž refers to the white, foaming stretch of the Bílý potok, and the surrounding stands of spruce, fir and rowan, 220 to 240 years old, are among the oldest in the area. Some spruces reach 95 cm in diameter at breast height; beech appears only sparsely, mostly on the slope above the left bank below 900 m.

The waterfall is reached via the red-marked trail that passes Čertovo jezero and Černé jezero and runs through the northern part of the Bílá Strž reserve; a wooden walkway branches off and descends to a viewing terrace above the falls. Direct descent to the waterfall is not possible. Starting points include Špičácké sedlo above Železná Ruda, Hojsova Stráž and Hamry.

Some trees in this forest area have lived for more than 200 years, making them among the oldest spruce and fir trees in the region. Their survival at this high elevation shows the resilience of these ancient woods.