Kotarz and scenic Jaworowa Hall from Salmopol Pass
Nearby: Szczyrk
beach_access Route in the shade
restaurant Restaurant or bar nearby
directions_car Access by car
directions_bus Can be reached by bus
A short and easy scenic route to the picturesque Jaworowa Hall under Kotarz. The red trail from Salmopol Pass, also known as White Cross, leads along a comfortable forest path, practically without major elevations and steep climbs.
Salmopol Pass - "White Cross"
Salmopol Pass is located on the provincial road connecting Szczyrk and Wisła. There is a large parking lot, PKS bus stop, restaurants and inns with accommodation options.
"Salmopol" is the name of the settlement located below the pass in Szczyrk. Apparently, it means that the area was full of salmon (or possibly deer, if we accept the "Sarnopol" version of the name). Or maybe it's "Salomea's Field", the wife of the founder of the settlement?
The customary name of the pass "White Cross" comes from the white cross that has been standing here since the times of the Counter-Reformation and conflicts between Protestants and Catholics. It was supposedly erected as a sign of reconciliation. Other legends about the white cross on the pass concern the battles of the Bar Confederates and the tragic story of a groom who was taken to the army during his wedding and unfortunately never returned to his wife. It is said that she erected the white cross here, and even hung her veil on it...
Red trail: Salmopol - White Cross - Kotarz and Jawor Hall
Two tourist trails pass through the pass: yellow from Szczyrk to Wisła and red from Malinowska Rock towards Szyndzielnia. To get to Kotarz and Jawor Hall, we choose the red signs and head north, along the edge of the clearing.
8 blessings on the Salmopol - Kotarz trail
Along the way, in addition to the white-red-white signs, we will also be accompanied by elongated plaques with the next of the 8 blessings. The last one awaits us at the top of Kotarz. Their presence here is related to the historical altar (more on that in a moment).
The first peak we conquer just after entering the forest is the White Cross, from which our path descends to the next peak: Grabowa. The path is comfortable, even, and the elevations are minimal.
We mainly hike through the forest, or its edge. Along the way, there are few viewing windows, such as one towards Wielka Czantoria:
Scenic Jawor Hall under Kotarz
To get to the beautiful Jaworowa Hall, we have to descend from the ridge. We can use the blue trail turning off the red one at the Pass Under Kotarz, or an unmarked but very clear path from the very top of Kotarz. Both roads are short, but quite steep.
Jawor Hall - panorama
Jawor Hall under Kotarz is one of the most scenic places in the Silesian Beskids. On the vast meadow with a picturesque solitary tree (but not a maple, but a beech) there is a wide view to the west (Stożek and Czantoria ranges with the preceding Równica and Orłowa ridges as well as Horzelica and Stary Gron) and to the north (Błatnia, Stołów, Trzy Kopce, Klimczok, Magura Klimczokowa).
Kotarz, 974 m above sea level and Altar of Europe
Above Jaworowa Hall is the highest peak of the ridge, called the Hungarian Beskid, i.e. Kotarz, 974 m above sea level. Its name refers to pastoral traditions ("kotarz" is a place where sheep "kociły się”, i.e. gave birth). Today, we probably won't meet any sheep here, but we can rest and eat in the "Picnic Bar", there is also a place for a bonfire, benches and tables with a view of the opposite side of the Żylica valley.
It is worth paying attention to the "Altar of Europe" located on Kotarz, which, like the White Cross at Salmopol Pass, reminds of the times of religious conflicts. During the Counter-Reformation, persecuted evangelicals met here and held secret services. Today, the altar, built of stones from all over the world: from all European countries, as well as e.g. a stone donated by a mountaineer from Mount Everest, a stone from the -1000 m level from the Pniówek mine, stones from the ruins of the World Trade Center, a vial with soil from Chernobyl, and even meteorites, i.e. stones "not from this world"! is supposed to be a place of reconciliation, and the events that take place here (also holy masses) often have an ecumenical character.
Kotarz and what next?
From Kotarz we can return the same way to Salmopol Pass (the return journey will take us about 50 min.).
We can also continue the hike following the red signs along the ridge called "Hungarian Beskid" towards the peak of Beskidek, from which the scenic access road will take us to Szczyrk, or all the way to Karkoszczonka Pass with Uncle Tom's Cottage (5.5 km from the top of Kotarz, from here it is possible to descend both to Szczyrk and to Brenna.
Publish Date: 2024-04-29
More in the Region Beskid Śląski (Silesian Beskid)
Total Length 68 km
