Mala Osojnica is one of the hills rising above Lake Bled.
Together with Ojstrica Hill, Mala Osojnica is a popular viewpoint that you can climb at almost any time of the year and take beautiful landscape photos.
Embracing the beauty of Lake Bled from above
Mala Osojnica [pronounced “mala osoyneetza”], a hill with forest, hiking trails and various viewpoints, is nowadays a popular location for taking photos of Lake Bled and Bled Island from above.
The hill of Mala Osojnica lies close to Ojstrica, which is another, a bit lower viewpoint across the lake.
If you do not wish to hike at all, then going to Bled Castle to enjoy the view of Lake Bled from above is the best option for you.
On the top of Mala Osojnica
From Mala Osojnica you can truly embrace the beauty of the landscape beneath you. However, there are two viewpoints on the top.
From the main viewpoint, where you will find a bench and an information board, you will see Lake Bled with Bled Island, as well as Bled Castle sitting on the white cliff.
The second viewpoint overlooks a vast landscape with an alpine river, called Sava Bohinjka, running across it. Above them rises a massive karst plateau named Jelovica where you can also go hiking or visit a cave that lies at 1000 metres (3300 feet) above sea level.
Who is there? Curious chamois!
Many hike to Ojstrica first and then continue up to Mala Osojnica.
While on the hiking trail that goes past Ojstrica and continues up to Mala Osojnica you might be rewarded with a sight of chamois, a sort of alpine animals similar to goat. They are indigenous to European Alps and some other mountains such as the Pyrenees.
I usually spot them when hiking to Mala Osojnica early in the morning. They seem to be very curious and less afraid of people than deer for example. You might be able to observe them quietly and even take a photo of them because they will probably stop and look back at you.
Different hiking trails to Mala Osojnica
There are two hiking trails that lead to the top of Mala Osojnica, both starting near Camping Bled that is located by the western side of Lake Bled (Velika Zaka).
The first hiking trail – that is well marked – is more scenic than the second trail and has a view of Lake Bled. However, it also includes numerous steps that you need to conquer just a few metres before you reach the top. Those steps are really steep (better not to look down when climbing up/down) and could be slippery in case of rain or snow.
The second hiking trail that goes past Ojstrica and leads to Mala Osojnica and then further up to another hill called Velika Osojnica is not that scenic (you cannot see the lake from the trail). There are no steps on this trail that is a bit shorter than the first one.
Below you will find the two different routes to Mala Osojnica in pictures. Choose the one that suits your hiking ability. You can maybe choose the first hiking trail to go up and then follow the second one (with no steps) to go down and do a circular hike.
HIKING ROUTE TO MALA OSOJNICA 1 (with steps)
HIKING ROUTE TO MALA OSOJNICA 2 (goes past Ojstrica)
- PRACTICAL INFORMATION -
LOCATION: Mala Osojnica is a hill, situated above the western side of Lake Bled at 685 metres (2247 feet) above sea level. The starting point of this hike is in the settlement of Velika Zaka by Lake Bled.
REACHING THE STARTING POINT: If you walk from Bled`s centre (where the main bus station is located), you will need approximately half an hour to reach Velika Zaka. You will be walking on the road by the lake called “Veslaška promenada” (“Rowing Promenade”).
Nearby the starting point of this hike is a camping site (Camping Bled).
Coming by bike or car: Near Camping Bled there is a parking area where you can leave your bike or car (you need to purchase a parking ticket).
Bike sharing: Next to the entrance to Camping Bled, there is a self-service terminal where you can rent Bled Green Ways bikes (or return a bike). Read more about Bled Green Ways here (Get around).
HIKING TRAILS: It takes 40-50 minutes to hike from Velika Zaka to the top of Mala Osojnica. The difference in altitude is around 200 metres (650 feet).
I would recommend you to wear hiking shoes with good grip as the trail to Mala Osojnica is quite steep and rocky in some places.
GEOCACHING: On Mala Osojnica there is one geocache hidden. Hint: it is little.
OTHER HILLS NEARBY: One of the hiking trails that will take you to Mala Osojnica also leads to two other hills, that is Ojstrica (611 m) and Velika Osojnica (756 m).
It takes around 20 minutes to hike from Mala Osojnica to Velika Osojnica.
Do you have any questions about hiking Mala Osojnica? Please contact me through Twitter (@bledoscope).
Follow my day-to-day exploits – that might spark your wanderlust – on Instagram: @bledoscope.