Salmopol Pass

At 934 m the regional road 942 crosses the ridge of the Silesian Beskids and winds down in hairpins to Szczyrk on one side and Wisła on the other. Salmopol Pass is the highest road pass in the Silesian Beskids and the second highest in the Polish Beskids after Krowiarki near Babia Góra – and one of the busiest trail junctions in the range.

White Cross, Salmopol and three municipalities

The pass is often called Biały Krzyż (White Cross), although the regional tourism portal considers this name incorrect. It comes from a white wooden cross set up above the road; the current crucifix was blessed in 1995 by Pope John Paul II during his visit to nearby Skoczów. People also say "Salmopol", but strictly speaking that is the settlement below the pass, now part of Szczyrk. According to tradition it was founded by Protestants from Cieszyn Silesia fleeing religious persecution. Wisła, Brenna and Szczyrk meet on the pass, and so do three ranges: the Barania Góra–Skrzyczne group, the Równica range and the Beskid Węgierski.

History of the road and the hut

The ridge marked the old border of the Duchy of Cieszyn, and from the 16th century the border with the Kingdom of Poland. In 1771 Bar Confederates retreated over the pass after losing a battle in Szczyrk. Tourism arrived in 1932, when Rudolf Antoni opened a wooden mountain hut here; it burned down in February 1945. The road from Szczyrk to Wisła was built in the 1960s and opened in 1968, turning the pass into a favourite with drivers, motorcyclists and cyclists.

What you will find

• The "Biały Krzyż" inn, a bar, a car park and a bus stop,
• ski lifts of the Biały Krzyż complex, in winter also for children and beginners,
• Salmopol Cave, discovered in 1969, with passages over 100 m long – protected as a natural monument and closed to visitors.

Trails from the pass

The red trail leads over Malinów to Malinowska Skała (about 1.5 hours) and on to Skrzyczne (1,257 m) – about 3 hours – or towards Barania Góra. In the opposite direction the red trail heads for Karkoszczonka (about 2.5 hours) and Klimczok (about 4 hours). Yellow trails drop to Szczyrk and Wisła, a black one to Brenna. For hikers and cyclists, the pass is the most convenient link between the northern Klimczok group and the southern Skrzyczne and Barania Góra groups.

Tripto tip

On fine days the car park on the pass fills up quickly; there are more spaces lower down along the road. You can also get here by bus – from Cieszyn on the Wisła side, and by minibus or PKS bus from Bielsko-Biała on the Szczyrk side (winter timetables can be reduced). The Biały Krzyż – Malinowska Skała – Skrzyczne loop is a demanding full-day hike, so start early.