Hiking to Mala Osojnica and Ojstrica: Lake Bled Viewpoints, Slovenia

Mala Osojnica, Velika Osojnica, and Ojstrica are three forested hills, which rise above Lake Bled’s western shore, in the Julian Alps of Slovenia. 

These hills serve as viewpoints, offering sweeping views of Lake Bled, Bled Island, and the medieval, clifftop Bled Castle. The magnificent mountainous backdrop is the Karawanks.

Like the Julian Alps, the Karawanks are part of the Northern Limestone Alps. This long mountain range forms the natural border between Austria and Slovenia. Hence, it’s called Karawanken in German and Karavanke in Slovenian. 

The first time I saw a photo of Lake Bled, captured from Mala Osojnica, I wrongly assumed it was taken by a drone. I had know idea that this elevated vantage point was a mere 30-minute hike from Lake Bled’s southwestern shore. 

Mala Osojnica, Velika Osojnica, and Ojstrica are all linked together by a single trail. 

We recommend hiking to the Mala Osojnica viewpoint first and then continuing on to Velika  Osojnica (optional), and lastly to the Ojstrica viewpoint. 

The way to Mala Osojnica viewpoint is very steep and involves a sloping metal staircase-ladder, which is why we recommend hiking there first and tackling this circuit clockwise. It’s safer to ascend to Mala Osojnica than to descend from Mala Osojnica.

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Mala Osojnica and Ojstrica Map

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Where to Start the Mala Osojnica and Ojstrica Hike

The Mala Osojnica and Ojstrica Hike hike starts at the Velika Zaka car park on the west side of Lake Bled. Zaka is the name of the bay across from the car park. 

If you’re traveling without a car, follow the Lake Bled circuit trail along the south shore to the Mala Osojnica trailhead. Exact Location: Google Maps.

From the Bled bus station, it takes 45 minutes to walk 3 kilometers to the trailhead. 

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Velika Zaka Car Park 

The closest car park to Mala Osojnica and Ojstrica is Parkirišče Velika Zaka. This car park is located next to Camping Bled on the western side of Lake Bled. 

Location | Google Maps

Pricing | 3 EUR for each started hour of parking. For example, if you stay 2:15 hours, the parking fee is 9 EUR.

Payment | Credit Cards, Cash (5 EUR, 10 EUR, 20 EUR, EURO Coins)

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Hiking Difficulty

This is a moderate hike. However, the trail is rocky and uneven. It’s not a well-groomed path. 

It’s slippery after rain as well as in autumn, because of the leaves underfoot.

It’s essential to wear sturdy shoes with grip.  

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Mala Osojnica and Ojstrica Circuit Trail Description 

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Velika Zaka Car Park to Mala Osojnica Trailhead  (10 minutes)

Starting at the Parkirišče Velika Zaka car park, cross the street to Lake Bled and turn right. Follow the sidewalk until the boardwalk begins.

Walk the full length of the boardwalk along Lake Bled. A few steps bring you back up to the street. Carry on for a few meters and then cross the street to reach the Mala Osojnica trailhead. 

The starting point is marked with a bench and trail signs, indicating 30 minutes to Mala Osojnica.

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Mala Osojnica Trailhead to Mala Osojnica (30 minutes)

The hike to Mala Osojnica follows a steep forest trail. Head into the forest and hike up the timber-reinforced steps. Soon, turn left on a narrow path, passing in front of a house. 

At the wood stack, turn left to Mala Osojnica and hike straight up. 

The view opens up to Lake Bled after a few switchbacks. Continue to ascend. After about 5 minutes, you’ll reach the base of a fixed cable line. Use the line to safely hike up a narrow passage. 

A few minutes later, another fixed cable line brings you to the base of a steep metal staircase. Use the metal handrail along the ladder to safely ascent. 

When you reach the top of the ladder, there’s a bench with another lovely view of Lake Bled. 

The path continues to rise for a few meters. It then slopes down, before making a counter ascent to the Mala Osojnica viewpoint (685 meters). 

The viewpoint area is flanked by a fence for safety reasons. There’s an info board and three benches here. 

I love this particular viewpoint, because it offers an excellent angle of the Assumption of Mary Church (Cerkev Marijinega vnebovzetja) with its 52-meter-high bell tower. 

Did you know that the Bled Island church occupies the historic site of a pagan temple, which was dedicated to the Slavic goddess of life and fertility? After the Christianization of the area in the 8th century, the temple was replaced by a church, dedicated to the birth of Mary. 

From Mala Osojnica, there’s also a perfect line of vision between the island, castle, and Stol (2236 m), the mountain towering above the Savska plain. 

Along with Stol, you can see the distinct peaks of Vrtača (2181 m), Begunjščica (2060 m), Veliki Vrh (2088 m), and Dobrča (1634 m). 

While not as high, Straža (646 m) and the forested hills rimming the lake ground the scene. At sunrise, these hills are drenched in light, at first fiery orange and later soft peach.

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Mala Osojnica to Ojstrica (15 minutes)

Continue in the direction of Ojstrica (15 minutes).

A narrow footpath cuts through the forest. There’s a short detour to a viewpoint overlooking the valley of Sava Bohinjska, marked with a bench. Shortly thereafter, the trail drops down to a junction. 

Turn left here. About 100 meters later, you’ll arrive at another junction. 

Here, you can decide if you want to detour to the higher Velika Osojnica viewpoint (30 minutes out-and-back). It’s not a must-do. We walked up there the first time we hiked this circuit and it was our least favorite viewpoint, because the views are somewhat obscured by the trees. 

If you hike to Velika Osojnica, return to this junction in order to continue the descent. 

Bear right to Ojstrica (10 minutes) and descend the steep, rugged trail through the forest. 

After about 8 minutes, turn left to detour to Ojstrica. The trail ascends, bringing you to the base of a fixed cable. Grasp the steel cable to safely hike up the polished limestone rocks.

The rocky summit of Ojstrica is usually crawling with visitors, because it’s the easiest viewpoint to reach from Lake Bled. 

The viewpoint is crowned with a bench, which might be the most famous bench in all of Slovenia.

From this angle, Bled Island is directly in front of you and the castle is off to the left. It’s also a very satisfying view. 

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Ojstrica – Lake Bled – Velika Zaka Car Park (20 minutes)

Enjoy the hilltop of Ojstrica and then retrace your steps to the last junction along the main trail. 

Descend the rocky, leafy trail. 

When the path divides, you can either bear left (this is the quickest way back to the car park), or bear right in order to walk along the lakeside boardwalk again. 

We turned right. The trail crosses a meadow and leads back down to the familiar Mala Osojnica trailhead. From here, cross the street and follow the boardwalk back to the car park. 

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Sunrise or Sunset

We’ve hiked up to Mala Osojnica for sunrise and sunset.

Sunrise is far better. 

If you go up for sunset, Lake Bled and Bled Island will be in shadow. If conditions are clear, the Karawanks will be illuminated, but everything in the foreground will be dark. 

Sunrise is a splendidly long affair. It takes quite a long time for the sun to rise high enough to light up Bled Island, but it’s worth the wait. 

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Where to Stay

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Lake Bled

Budget | Guesthouse Marko is a top-rated guesthouse in Bled, walking distance to the lakeshore. 

Midrange | JAZZ B&B is a friendly bed and breakfast with clean, comfortable rooms, a wonderful breakfast, and a shared kitchen. It’s a 10 minute walk to Lake Bled. 

Midrange | Old Parish House is a cozy and clean bed and breakfast, 100 meters away from Lake Bled. 

Top Choice – Midrange | Hotel Starkl – Heritage & Unique is a darling lakefront hotel with an on-site restaurant and bar. Breakfast is included. This family-run property stands out with its friendly service, exceptional cuisine, and location. 

Luxury | Adora Luxury Hotel is a lakefront boutique hotel with 7 luxurious suites. Stay here for the lake views and dreamy location. Breakfast is available for an extra charge. 

Luxury | Vila Bled is a historic lakefront hotel with 33 rooms. Set in a quiet area of Lake Bled, guests can enjoy the historical flair of President Tito’s former summer residence. Breakfast is included. 

Luxury | Bled Rose Hotel is a modern, 4-star hotel in the center of Bled. The hotel features an on-site bar, an indoor swimming pool and spa, a fitness room, and private beach area. Breakfast is included in the room rate. 

More Bled accommodations: Old Bled House (midrange guesthouse), Vila Alpina (midrange guesthouse), and Hotel Lovec (luxury hotel).

Look for accommodation in Bled.

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Keep Reading about Bled and the Julian Alps

• Best Things to Do in Bled
• Vintgar Gorge
• Pokljuka Plateau
• Seven Lakes Valley Day Hike
• Mount Vogel Day Hike

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