46° 21′ N, 14° 04′ E
Overview
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Mala Osojnica and Ojstrica Hike overview
2,35 km
150 m
1-2 hours
Loop hike
Easy - Moderate - Difficult - Expert
Mala Osojnica or Ojstrica
Mala Osojnica and Ojstrica are two of the best spots to take in the incredible views of Lake Bled in Slovenia. From these viewpoints, you’ll get stunning panoramas of the lake, Bled Island, and the mountains surrounding them.
Mala Osojnica is located 685 meters above sea level. The hike is steep and includes a tricky metal staircase, but the breathtaking view makes it worthwhile. This viewpoint is surrounded by a safety fence and features an information board and three benches to rest and take in the view.
Ojstrica, another Lake Bled viewpoint, slightly lower at 611 meters, is easier to reach and offers a closer view of the lake. The hike is shorter and less demanding, making it more suitable if you want a quick hike with rewarding views.
Since a single trail connects the viewpoints, you can visit both as part of a loop hike. It’s best to start with Mala Osojnica, as the climb is steeper. The hike to Mala Osojnica takes about 30 to 40 minutes, and from there, you can continue to Ojstrica, which is another 15 to 20 minutes away.
The route is well-marked and winds through a peaceful forest, making for a scenic hike. over sandy, rocky ground and gravel paths. Especially after rainfall, it can be very slippery.
It’s also possible to hike to just one of the two viewpoints and then take the same path back down if you don’t want to visit both and do the whole loop.
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How to get there
By car
The closest parking lot where you can park your car is this parking lot at Velika Zaka, a popular bay at the western shore of Lake Bled. From here, you can start your hike to Mala Osojnica Trailhead or Ojstrica Trailhead. The parking fee is €6/hr. It is a small parking lot that fills up quickly. Alternatively, you find a few more parking lots around Lake Bled, a bit further away from the trailhead, for example Pristava, P Mala Zaka, and Parkolo, which are (slightly) less expensive.
Note: Campervans are banned in many places around Lake Bled and it is also very difficult to find a place where your campervan will fit. If you are traveling with a campervan, we recommend staying at a campsite nearby and exploring Bled from there by foot, bike, or taxi.
By public transport
If you are traveling by bus, you are most likely to arrive at the bus station. From here, it is a 3 km walk of around 45 minutes to the Mala Osojnica Trailhead.
By train, you will arrive at Bled Train station, which is only a 20 minute walk from the Osojnica Trailhead.
Mala Osojnica Trailhead and Ojstrica Trailhead
The trail to both viewpoints starts on the western shore of Lake Bled. On Google Maps you will find them as Mala Osojnica Trailhead and Ojstrica Trailhead. However, if you plan to do the loop hike, we recommend you to start at Mala Osojnica Trailhead.
Note: If you are exploring the region by bike, you can lock your bike to the bike rack right at the trailhead.
Mala Osojnica and Ojstrica Trail Description
Car park to Mala Osojnica
If you’re traveling by car and have parked in the nearest parking lot, cross the street towards Lake Bled and turn right. You can either follow the walkway along the road or take the more idyllic boardwalk along the lake’s shore. Eventually, the boardwalk reconnects with the main road. After about a 10-minute walk, just past where the boardwalk meets the road again, you’ll notice a gravel road joining from the right. A few meters further, on the opposite side of the road, you’ll find the starting point of the trail to Mala Osojnica, marked by a sign to the viewpoint.
Mala Osojnica Trailhead to Mala Osojnica
The hike begins with a steep ascent through the forest, where a few man-made steps help you along the way. Shortly after, you’ll turn left onto a narrow path near a house.
Follow the signs to Mala Osojnica as the trail zigzags up the hillside. As you climb, you’ll start catching glimpses of the lake, with the views improving as you gain altitude above Lake Bled.
Along the way, you’ll encounter several sections equipped with cables to assist with steeper, rocky areas. Soon, you’ll reach a very steep metal staircase with narrow steps—be sure to hold onto the handrail for safety. This challenging staircase is one reason we recommend doing the loop hike in this direction.
At the top of the ladder, you will find a small viewpoint with a bench where you can recover from the climb.
After the ladder, you turn left and continue to climb for a few meters before descending slightly and then rising again to reach the Mala Osojnica viewpoint at 685 meters.
Here, you can recover from the hike, take in the views, enrich your knowledge by reading the information boards, and prepare yourself to continue your way to Ojstrica. The good news? The hardest part is now behind you.
Note: If you prefer not to continue to Ojstrica, you can simply retrace your steps back down the way you came.
Mala Osojnica to Ojstrica
After taking in the view, continue on the path towards Ojstrica, which takes about 15 minutes.
The trail winds through the forest and passes another viewpoint overlooking the Sava Bohinjska valley. The trail then descends to a junction; turn left here. After about 100 meters, you’ll reach another junction.
At this point, you can opt for a detour to the higher Velika Osojnica viewpoint, which adds approximately 30 minutes to your hike.
If you skip the detour, keep right to continue your way towards Ojstrica. This section descends steeply and can be very slippery, especially after rain. Continue until you reach a sign directing you toward Ojstrica. Turn left to take the detour up the hill to the Ojstrica viewpoint.
Ojstrica back to the start
After admiring the views from the Ojstrica, you descend back to the main trail. From here, you keep following the path downhill. When you reach a split, you can either go left directly back to the car park, or you can go right and return to Mala Osojnica Trailhead to complete the whole loop.
Mala Osojnica and Ojstrica Map
Best time to hike
Season
The best times to hike Mala Osojnica and Ojstrica are in spring and autumn. Spring offers mild weather with lush, vibrant trails, while autumn provides cooler temperatures and beautiful fall colors. You can expect fewer crowds compared to summer and still have pleasant hiking conditions.
In summer, the temperatures can be quite hot, and Bled becomes very crowded. During winter, snow and ice can make the trails difficult or inaccessible.
Time of the day
To avoid crowds and enjoy the best lighting, it’s ideal to hike to Mala Osojnica and Ojstrica at sunrise, early in the morning, or around sunset. It’s best to avoid hiking during midday when it can be very hot and crowded. Especially at Ojstrica, you can expect the most crowds as this is the easiest viewpoint to reach.
Slovenia
Where to stay
Hotels
Bled is one of the most popular tourist places in Slovenia, so you will find a wide range of accommodations for almost every budget and type of traveler.
Hotels
Find the best places to stay near lake Bled and enjoy a comfortable trip.
Camping
The closest campsite to Bled is Camping Bled. It is not only right next to Lake Bled, but also right next to Mala Osojnica Trailhead.
On the other side of the lake, in the village and just past it, you will find 2 more camper parking spaces: Camper Stop Bled and Fox Creek Parking. A little further away from Bled, you can also stay overnight at River Camping Bled and Camping Sobec. Both of these campsites are within cycling distance of Bled. At Camping Sobec, you can rent bikes if you don’t have your own.
Tips & Safety
Important hiking tips!
Other things to do in the area
There is plenty to do in the area around Lake Bled besides hiking to Mala Osojnica and Ojstrica. You can explore the lake with a SUP or paddle boat, take a boat tour to Bled Island, visit the famous Vintgar Gorge, rafting, canyoning, make a day trip to Triglav National Park and Lake Bohinj, and so much more.
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Win-Win for everyone
Did you know that, if you buy or book something through our links, we receive a small commission?
However, you still pay the same and therefore have no extra costs! So a win-win for everyone. This way, we can continue to add even more travel inspiration and tips to this blog for your next adventure. Thanks a lot!
