Hike to a hill where locals once worshipped the Slavic god of thunder
Dobra Gora, meaning “Good Mountain” in Slovenian, is in fact a small hill rising above the village of Selo pri Bledu, around two kilometres from Lake Bled. Unlike nearby Straža, which can become lively during summer days, Dobra Gora remains peaceful, with views towards the Jelovica Plateau, Sava Bohinjka River, the edge of Pokljuka Plateau, nearby villages and the surrounding fields and pastures.
From the top of the hill, everyday life unfolds quietly below: cattle grazing in the pastures, church bells echoing across the landscape, people going about their day in the villages and, at times, the sound of children playing in the distance.
From the top of Dobra Gora, you can listen to the sounds of rural life unfolding in the villages below.
Hiking to the top of Dobra Gora
If you begin your hike in the settlement of Na Jasi, it takes around 20 minutes to reach the top, a little less if you enjoy a brisk pace. The trail leads through the forest, offering shade and making it a pleasant choice even on warm summer days.
There are several trails leading to the top of Dobra Gora. In this blog post, I am describing the one I personally enjoy the most. Once you enter the forest from the road between Bled and Selo pri Bledu, keep left. Wooden steps make some of the steeper sections easier, and I find this route a little gentler than the trail to the right.
In spring and summer, the forest offers welcome shade, making this a pleasant walk where you can slow down.
Walking through the forest that is home to rabbits, foxes, mouflons and roe deer, you can enjoy the peaceful surroundings, breathe in the scent of the trees and feel the soft forest floor beneath your feet.
Lush vegetation lines the trail to Dobra Gora.
Local’s point of view: Local tradition also connects Dobra Gora with Slavic pagan mythology. It is said that people once climbed to the summit to worship Perun, the Slavic god of thunder.
Arriving at the top of Dobra Gora
At the top of Dobra Gora, you can sit on one of the benches and take in the views over the surrounding countryside and, if you enjoy photography, capture a few panoramic images.
The panorama includes the villages of Selo pri Bledu and Kupljenik, the valley of Sava Bohinjka River, Jelovica Plateau with the rock formation of Babji Zob (Old Woman’s Tooth) and the surrounding peaks of Talež and Ribenska Gora.
The view from the top of Dobra Gora across the green countryside in summer.
Before you leave, don’t forget to sign the visitor’s booklet below the information board.
If you are staying in the village of Selo pri Bledu, an early morning hike to Dobra Gora is a peaceful way to begin the day. Swiss natural healer Arnold Rikli, who lived in Bled in the 19th century, would likely have encouraged you to walk the trail barefoot before breakfast.
Below, you will find a few practical details to help you plan your hike up to Dobra Gora.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
- Location: Despite its name (which means “Good Mountain”), Dobra Gora is actually a hill, rising to an elevation of 620 metres. Locals also refer to the hill as Špik.
- Starting point: The starting point lies between the Na Jasi neighbourhood and the village of Selo pri Bledu. If you are coming from Ljubljanska cesta, the main road through the centre of Bled, you will find the trailhead and the signpost for Dobra Gora on your right.
- Getting there: You can walk or cycle to the starting point. The closest parking area is located on Želeška cesta in Bled and costs €4.50 per hour. Parking is limited to a maximum of 2 hours.
- Walking time: Allow around 20 minutes to reach the summit, with an elevation gain of about 135 metres.
- Hills nearby: From the top of Dobra Gora, you can continue towards Straža Hill. There, you can enjoy views over Lake Bled and Bled Castle or take part in one of the summer adventure activities. From Straža, it is an easy walk back to the centre of Bled.
- Safety: Although this is an easy hike, it is still worth wearing suitable walking shoes and comfortable clothing. Some sections of the trail are fairly steep, particularly on the descent, so trekking poles may be helpful if you normally use them.
