White Jar is a depression in the slope called a nival niche transformed into a ravine, created by a glacier about 10 million years ago. It is located exactly on the northern slope of Równia pod Śnieżką, between Mała Kopa and the Strzecha Akademicka shelter. Its bottom is located at an altitude of about 1200 meters. The upper edge reaches 1350 m above sea level. In the 19th century, gold was searched for in this region and galena with an admixture of silver was mined.
Biały Jar - an unusual structure
This place has a very characteristic shape resembling a funnel. The terrain is wide upwards and slightly narrows downwards, turning into a ravine. Unfortunately, such construction is conducive to the formation of dangerous snow avalanches in this place. Therefore, the hiking trails leading through White Jar closes for the winter period. The snow cover here lasts for the longest time throughout the year.
The slopes of Biały Jar are covered with mountain pine, and many species of herbs also grow here. From the upper edge of Biały Jar, deep fissure furrows extend downwards. These furrows reveal light gray granite weathering, from which the name Jaru derives.
Złoty Potok, a tributary of the Łomnica river, has its source in Biały Jar.
White Jar - how do I get here?
The easiest way to get to this unique area is to follow the red trail from Karpacz, starting from the funicular to Kopa. Another solution is to choose the yellow trail, in this case White Jar can be admired from above.
From Biały Jar you can go further towards Śnieżka, for this purpose you should choose the black trail, and then from the "Dom Śląski" shelter the red trail.
Biały Jar – a place of remembrance
This unique place also witnessed a huge tragedy. In 1968, an avalanche came down here, 800 meters long and 80 meters wide, which took as many as 24 people, of whom 19 died. At the site of the tragedy, a symbolic stone was placed in memory of the victims, but it was destroyed by another avalanche. The present pedestal was erected in 2008.