Starting your day above Lake Bled
If you enjoy starting your day outdoors and doing something good for your health, then this forest hike to the hills above Lake Bled might be the right choice for you.
On the western side of the lake, just above the area known as Velika Zaka, where Bled Camping is located, rise two hills: Ojstrica and Mala Osojnica.
There are several hills above Lake Bled where you can watch the sunrise, each offering a slightly different view. Still, Ojstrica and Mala Osojnica remain the most popular viewpoints. That is why I suggest setting out early in the morning, especially in summer when Bled is at its busiest, if you wish to experience them in a quieter atmosphere.
Early morning on Ojstrica hill: A sunrise above Lake Bled feels like a peaceful beginning to the day.
On the way up to Ojstrica and Mala Osojnica
Before setting off on your morning hike, pause for one last view of Lake Bled, still resting in the early morning silence.
As your morning hike begins at Lake Bled, take a moment for one last look at the lake, still resting in the silence of the early morning.
The trail ahead lies in shade, the forest revealing itself through its sounds and scents. As you make your way up, you may want to pause for a moment and breathe in the fresh alpine air.
On the way up, make a stop and smell the forest.
The first rays of sunlight gently waking up Lake Bled.
The hike to Ojstrica is short, but as you are near the top the trail grows steeper, narrower, and becomes a little more rocky. After around 20 minutes of hiking, you reach the top, where the view opens up beneath you.
If you decide to continue on to the next hill, Mala Osojnica, which is slightly higher, you should allow for around 20 more minutes of hiking.
Local’s point of view: While walking the trail to Mala Osojnica in the early morning, you may be rewarded with the sight of chamois, goat-like alpine animals native to the European Alps. I often come across them here at sunrise. Compared to deer, they seem more curious and less easily startled, sometimes allowing for a quiet moment of observation as they move gently between the trees.
Taking in the morning views from Ojstrica and Mala Osojnica
When you reach either of the two hills, the view below almost asks you to pause for a moment. The lake slowly reveals itself, while the island is gently touched by the first morning light. A little further on, you will notice Bled Castle shining atop the cliff above the lake. In the distance, the Karawanks mountain range stretches along the border with Austria.
A wide view opens from the hills above Lake Bled.
Further on, another viewpoint on Mala Osojnica reveals a different side of the landscape. The view shifts away from the lake and opens towards the valley below, where the Sava Bohinjka River winds through the landscape beneath the forested Jelovica Plateau. In spring, as the snow begins to melt in the mountains, the river takes on a vivid colour that adds another layer to the scene while in autumn, gentle mist rising above the water brings a quieter kind of atmosphere.
In autumn a soft mist above the river creates a different kind of atmosphere that you can experience from one of the viewpoints on Mala Osojnica.
A peaceful start to the day above Lake Bled
I hope this hike to the hills above Lake Bled helps you continue your day with a lighter step and a calmer mind.
Early morning view from the hills above the western side of Lake Bled in summer.
Below, you will find a few practical details to help you plan your hike up to Ojstrica or Mala Osojnica. If you’d like a more in-depth experience with a local guide, feel free to contact me at petra@bledoscope.com.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
- Location: The hills rise above the western side of Lake Bled, Ojstrica at 611 metres and Mala Osojnica at 685 metres above sea level. The elevation gain is modest (130 metres and 200 metres).
- Starting point: The trail starts at Lake Bled, in the area called Velika Zaka where Camping Bled is also located.
- Hills nearby: You can also reach the hill of Velika Osojnica (756 m) via the same trail.
- Safety: It’s best to wear walking or hiking shoes with good grip, as the trail could be steep and rocky in places, and can be slippery after rain. Please keep to the marked trail and avoid walking on unmarked paths.
