Viewpoints around Bled
Around Bled, the choice of climbs is really varied, from those few 10-minute climbs to full-day trips in the highlands. In today’s suggestions, we will walk along those slightly lower peaks with a wonderful view of Lake Bled and the surrounding areas.
The viewpoints in the vicinity of Bled, which we will work on, are suitable for the whole family, as the climbs are technically easy, and the lengths and slopes of the climbs themselves are suitable for family hiking tours. We will walk together from those most besieged, Ojstrica, Mala and Velika Osojnica, the castle hill, and Straža in Bled, as well as to the slightly higher Babji zob, and the slightly less known Galetovac.
Hills in the vicinity of Bled:
If you are looking for more ideas for similar trips around Bled and in Gorenjska in general, I invite you to take a look at the articles entitled Where to go in Bled, Where in Bohinj, Where to the hills from Bohinj and Sights of Kranjska Gora.
1. Ojstrica, Mala in Velika Osojnica
| Ojstrica, Mala in Velika Osojnica | Basic information |
|---|---|
| Peak heights | 611, 691, in 756 m |
| Starting height | 480 m |
| Time for climbs | 20, 35, in 45 min |
| The difficulty of the route | easy |
| The starting point | Park place in Velika Zaka (46.3624, 14.0814) |
| Parking fee | 3 € for 1 h |
| Recommended equipment | sports hiking shoes and hiking poles |
| Suitable for dogs | yes |
You have probably already seen the photo of Lake Bled, which was taken somewhere from the viewpoint at the western end of the lake. Facebook shows it to me almost every week. This means that almost every week one of my FB friends is up there. If you haven’t been to one of the peaks (Ojstrica, Mala and Velika Osojnica), then you don’t know what you’re missing!
All three peaks offer a truly fairytale view of Lake Bled with an islet. Otherwise, I can’t quite decide which view is the most beautiful, but these are definitely the three most beautiful viewpoints on the lake. Perhaps someone will argue and say that the view from the castle hill is not more beautiful, or that Babji zob offers a more beautiful view… It’s hard to say, but the photos from Ojstrica or one of Osojnice are more beautiful in my opinion.
It is best to choose the parking lot in Velika Zaka as a starting point for jumping to the viewpoints. This will cost you €3 per hour and in the summer time you will have to be very lucky to get a parking space at all. An alternative option is to leave the car at the train station or in Mali Zaka, and warm up until the start of the ascent in Velika Zaka.
The closest and also the lowest viewpoint is Ojstrica, which is only about 100 meters uphill, and it will take you about 20 minutes to do so. The path is well maintained, although it is a bit muddy after the rains, but it’s nothing bad. the top of Ojstrica is bare and offers us a fantastic view of the lake and everything around it. At the left end of the viewpoint, you can admire Velika Zaka with a campsite and parking lot from a bird’s eye view. For as little effort as we need to climb Ojstrica, we receive an incredibly large reward.
If you were ready for a slightly longer walk, I suggest you climb both Osojnica mountains. For this you will need an additional 20 maybe 30 minutes of climbing.
The viewpoint on Mali Osojnica is perhaps the most beautiful of the three, at least my eyes were enchanted by the view. We are still quite close to the lake, except that we are an additional 100 meters higher and from here we can see the lake (with the exception of Mala Zaka) practically in its entirety. From here we can already admire the railway line that goes through the tunnels towards Bohinjska Bistrica. Not far away, on the southern slope of Mala Ojstrica, there is another viewpoint, which does not offer such a spectacular view, but still the view is wonderful. We can look around in the direction of Babji zob and Jelovica, and the Sava Bohinjka valley below them.
If you are ready for an additional 15 minutes of ascent, you will reach the highest viewpoint above Velika Zaka, namely Velika Osojnica. On the western slope, a little below the summit, the first viewpoint awaits us, from which we can see less, besides the railway line we really only see forests, but there is a nice place to relax and enjoy the silence. Indeed, much fewer people climb to Velika Osojnica than to the previous two destinations, so if you’re lucky, you’ll even be able to have the top to yourself for a while.
The view towards the lake is slight to the northwest from the top, or if we look in the direction of arrival, we have to turn to the right, if we are careful, many smaller paths will also take us there. This viewpoint is also stunningly beautiful, maybe a little further away from the lake, so it no longer gives the feeling that you are almost above the lake, but because of the height, since we are almost 300 meters above the lake, the feeling of looking at the valley is easy excellent.
At all viewpoints, the locals have placed wooden benches so that hikers can sit down and enjoy the peace. I suggest you take your time and be easy, no camera, no words, just observe.
As far as footwear and clothes are concerned, I suggest that you dress sporty, because you will surely sweat to the top, and your footwear will at least be covered with mud, so those sneakers that you have for walking around the center of Ljubljana, Celje, or Maribor, they will not be the most suitable. In addition, there are quite a few large stones along the path, and the path can also be slippery. Hiking poles will also come in handy.
2. Babji zob
| Babji zob | Basic information |
|---|---|
| The hight of Babji zob | 1128 m |
| Starting height | 638 m |
| Height difference | 490 m |
| Ascent time | 1 h 30 min |
| The difficulty of the climb | easy |
| The starting point | Kupljenik (46.3382, 14.0785) |
| Parking fee | no |
| Recommended equipment | sports walking shoes and walking poles |
| Suitable for dogs | yes |
Babji zob is one of the points that I admired even as a child. My father was such that when we were driving somewhere, he would always ask which river we were crossing, what is the name of this hill, and which is this valley… and of course Babji zob was often on the questionnaire when we drove towards Bled. Above all, this unusual name and the anecdote from the 2nd World War (which I have entrusted to you below) made a special impression on me.
Unlike the other climbs (with the exception of Galetovac) that we are working on today, the climb to Babji zob is a bit more serious, not in terms of difficulty, but in terms of time and height. Given that we will overcome almost 500 meters of altitude to reach the top and it will take about an hour and a half to do so, it is still necessary to take some time for the ascent. The starting point for the ascent to Babji zob is the village of Kupljenik, which lies on the opposite bank of the Sava Bohinjka, like Bohinjska Bela, except that Kupljenik is a little higher. A narrow but beautiful asphalt road leads to the starting point.
The ascent is easy and the beginning of the trail is along a scenic forest road, and after a few bends, the markings direct us to a hiking trail. Markings lead us through a pleasant forest, and a few times in the meadows we also have beautiful views towards Karavanke and Bled.
After about 40 minutes of ascent, the path brings us back to the road, which we just cross and start again on the well-trodden path. Not much higher, we come to the edge of the slope, where wonderful views to the north open up again among the trees. After the first slightly steeper section, when the path climbs nicely for a while, an insanely beautiful view awaits us at the top and a bench for resting and sitting comfortably while enjoying the view.
From here, we still have a good 20-minute climb to the top, but we will go down a little more after the second viewpoint, which is also equipped with a panoramic table where the peaks are marked, and then climb to the last viewpoint on Babji Zob.
Babji zob is also a very popular excursion point for hikers and family outings. I recommend the same equipment as when climbing the heights above Velika Zaka, poles and hiking shoes with good grip on the ground will also come in handy here. forest floor.
The path is practically all the time hidden under the canopy of trees and most of the time runs along the north-western side of the hill, so even in the summer heat you will not be exposed to the sun and the ascent will be pleasant (as much as it can be in high temperatures).
Unlike Osojniki and Ojstrica, on Babje zob we have a view towards the highest peaks of the Julian Alps. From the top, the peak of Triglav shyly appears, we can see the southern peaks of Bohinj, and in the distance, when the weather is good, Krn can also be seen. Of course, on the other side we also see Lake Bled, Stol, Golica and other peaks around this part of Karavanke.
Another tourist attraction of Bled is located a little below Babji zobom. The cave under Babji zob is still unknown to me, as I have never been in it, but as far as my fellow cavers have told me, the cave is worth a visit, as it is full of stalactites and other beauties that the underground world offers us.
Now, a quick anecdote from World War 2 related to Babji zob. Local partisans allegedly placed a large Slovenian flag on Babja zob during World War II, and angry Germans allegedly tried to shoot down the flag with weapons, but they failed…
3. Straža Bled
| Straža Bled | Basic information |
|---|---|
| The height of the hill | 646 m |
| Starting height | 506 m |
| Height difference | 140 m |
| Ascent time | 25 min |
| The difficulty of the route | easy |
| The starting point | Želeče (46.3595, 14.1102) |
| Parking fee | no |
| Recommended equipment | sports walking shoes |
| Suitable for a dog | yes |
Our next destination will be the top of the Straža ski resort. I don’t even know when this ski resort was last in operation, but in recent years, more than not, it serves for the activities that take place there during the summer.
You can climb to the top of Straža from the center of Bled, or, as we will do today, from the opposite side of the hill. It will take us less than half an hour to walk to the top of Straža, which is 646 meters high. From the place where we will park (the beginning of the forest, somewhere along the path), the direction signs will take us to the forested slope of Straža. The path to the top is well-maintained, maybe a little less visible in parts, but in the summer season, due to the higher frequency of hikers, this is probably not the case.
After about 2/3 of the climb, the path leads us to a meadow or ski track, where the summit is separated by only a few minutes of moderate ascent. The path soon takes us back into the forest, where we will reach the first of the devices on the trim track, and just a few steps away is a wonderful viewpoint, where we can see the Gorenjska plain, Lesce, Radovljica and other places in this part of Gorenjska.
Along the trim track, past the Rikli monument, the path will take us to an extremely well-organized adrenaline park, which is also the largest I’ve seen so far (maybe there is a bigger one, but I don’t know about it). The park includes as many as 81 different objects, where you will have to use your strength, balance, skill, courage… to get through them. The facilities are divided into 5 paths of different difficulty, and these are led through the treetops. As part of the adventure park, there is also a summer toboggan run. Everyone who is taller than 120 centimeters and at least 4 years old is welcome.
Another wonderful vantage point awaits us not far from the Adventure Park, because we will be able to enjoy the view of part of Lake Bled, the castle and the center of Bled. At the foot of the ski slope, there is also a parking lot where you can leave your vehicle and climb to the top. If you are of a more lazy nature, a chairlift will take you to the top.
4. Bled castle
| Bled castle | Basic information |
|---|---|
| The height of the castle hill | 599 m |
| Height of Bled | 509 m |
| Height difference | 90 m |
| Ascent time | 20 min |
| Ascent time | easy |
| The starting point | Bled (46.3696, 14.1028) |
| Parking fee | yes |
| Recommended footwear | sports walking shoes |
| Suitable for dogs | yes |
From the ski area, we will go to the opposite side of the lake shore. More specifically, on the gray rock (as Avsenik named the castle hill), where Bled Castle stands. This elevation also offers us the best vantage points. 2 of them are at your disposal, even if you have no intention of entering the castle.
You can climb the castle hill by several routes, but the most popular and, in my opinion, the most beautiful is the Rikli path, which starts at the castle swimming area and takes us to the castle park, right next to the castle, in about 10 minutes. The path is perfectly arranged and is illuminated even at night. While climbing, you will be able to enjoy beautiful views of the lake and the surrounding area.
I haven’t ventured inside the castle walls for a long time, so I can’t tell you anything smart about the castle, apart from what you can read yourself on the Internet. But I know that the entrance fee for adults is €13, students €8 and children €5.
5. Galetovec
| Galetovec | Basic information |
|---|---|
| Height of Galetovac | 1265 m |
| Starting height | 550 m |
| Height difference | 715 m |
| Ascent time | 2 h |
| Difficulty of the route | easy |
| The starting point | Bohinjska bela (46.3331, 14.0586) |
| Parking fee | no |
| Recommended footwear | sports walking shoes |
| Suitable for dogs | yes |
I heard about Galetovec for the first time in 2020, when my parents were wandering around Pokljuka, and during a chat with a local, he suggested they visit Galetovec, as it is supposed to be the most beautiful vantage point of Bled and the surrounding area. When my parents told me about it and also showed me the photos, I doubted it a bit, because the views from the other peaks in the vicinity of Bled, which I had already visited by then, were really beautiful.
But since you don’t know something until you see for yourself, I added Galetovec to my “wish list” and in 2022 I also conquered this view peak.
You can climb Galetovec from several starting points, including from Zatrnik and some other starting points on Pokljuka, but I opted for Bohinjska bela, from where two routes lead to Galetovec. The first has a starting point at the Iglica climbing area, and the second at the railway station, or 2 or 3 bends higher up the road leading to Pokljuka.
I went to Galetovec by myself from the train station. Our route towards the plateau takes us along the road for a while, but most of the time we walk along the train and hiking trails. After a good half of the way, the path moves to the mountains, where the path then flattens out a bit, then climbs again and flattens out again… and so all the way to the top.
If the first part of the route is more monotonous, with the exception of 2 or 3 places where beautiful views of Babji zob and the Gorenjska Plain open up between the trees, the part of the route through the mountains impressed me. Beautiful meadows, mostly well-kept apartments and beautiful nature… uhhhh, I really enjoyed it!
A little before the lookout point, on the top of the last mountain, we have a view of Jelovica, beautiful, I have never seen Jelovica from such a perspective. But just a few minutes later, we reach our destination, the viewpoint, where a descriptive board and 3 benches await us. The benches are there for a purpose, because I don’t know if there is a visitor who wouldn’t use them, because the view is simply amazing!
In the video below, you can watch my ascent to Galetovec, but believe me, everything is much, much more beautiful in person.
Conclusion
Bled is much more than just a lake, cream slices – cake and an island. If you want to know Bled in sports equipment and a more active form, then the above suggestions are perfect for you. If flat paths are more suitable for you, then I invite you to read the article about Bled and its attractions.
I wish you a nice day and let’s go to Nature!
