The Best Viewpoints in Lake Bled
Lake Bled is one of the most famous places in Slovenia, and for good reason - the turquoise lake with its iconic island is surrounded by mountains, making it completely unique. Lake Bled is extremely picturesque, and in this blog post I’ll tell you all the best viewpoints for the best pictures of Lake Bled, including where to go, what time of day is best, and more advice.
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Ojstrica Viewpoint: Hike Above Lake Bled
The most famous of Lake Bled viewpoints is Ojstrica. It is a short 15-20 minute hike up to Ojstrica viewpoint from the Ojstrica Trailhead next to Lake Bled, and there are signs the whole way, so you can’t get lost. The hike itself is all uphill and the trail is rocky, but because it is short, it’s not very strenuous. The last section is a bit slippery because the rocks have been worn down by previous hikers, but there is a metal wire in place as a handrail at this section. The viewpoint is the lowest down of the three that you need to hike to, and it is the busiest, but it is still worth it! I recommend visiting Ojstrica viewpoint in the morning for the best lighting. In the afternoon and evening, a shadow is cast on the forest in front of the viewpoint.
Mala Osojnica Viewpoint: Hike Above Lake Bled
From Ojstrica viewpoint, you can continue hiking up to Mala Osojnica viewpoint, which was my favourite view of Lake Bled. The hike takes another 10-15 minutes and is a walk uphill through the forest. There are still signs for Mala Osojnica viewpoint, but not as many as for Ojstrica, and there are lots of paths in this area. If you follow the main trails and use your common sense, you will find it without any problems. However, there is an All Trails route that also has all three of the viewpoints in one hike, and you can use this if you need! The morning is the best time to visit this viewpoint for the same reasons as above. I absolutely loved the view of Lake Bled from Mala Osojnica.
Velika Osjonica: Hike Above Lake Bled
If you continue to follow the All Trails route, or if you follow signs to the other viewpoints of Lake Bled, after another 15 minutes of hiking, you will find yourself at Velika Osjonica. This was the smallest of all viewpoints of Lake Bled, and had very few people there, which made it very peaceful. You’ll know you made it because it has a bench with a heart carved into the backrest. The view was incredible here too, so I highly recommend adding it to your hike. It was probably the most difficult to find by following signs, so I recommend following the All Trails route. Again, the morning is the best time to visit Velika Osjonica viewpoint.
Bled Castle Viewpoint
Another great viewpoint of Lake Bled is from Bled Castle and behind it. You have to pay to enter the castle and you get a view of the lake from the courtyard. However, if you follow the path at the end of the parking lot around the back of the castle, you’ll find yourself in a forest. While unmarked and unsignposted, you can see trails where people have gone to get a view of Lake Bled through the trees. You can use this Google Maps pin for a general idea of the location. It’s not an unobstructed view, but it is gorgeous nonetheless. You will have a great view from here at any time of the day, but the morning is quietest at Lake Bled, so I recommend going then!
Lake Bled Panoramic Viewpoint
Near the island, there is a short boardwalk next to Lake Bled where you get a fantastic view of the island, lake, and mountains behind. You can use this pin to find your way there: Bled Panoramic Viewpoint. Morning or afternoon is the best time to visit the Lake Bled Panoramic Viewpoint to make sure the sun is on the island.
Lake Bled Trail Viewpoints
The Lake Bled trail takes you all around the lake and you will be rewarded with some great viewpoints. The best views are from the left side of Lake Bled (looking at the lake from the town of Bled). In my opinion, the Kidriceva Cesta Viewpoint is the best: you get a great view of the island, Bled Castle, St Martin’s Church, and the mountains in the background. You won’t be disappointed! Again, morning or afternoon is the best time to visit this Lake Bled viewpoint to make sure the sun is on the island.
I spent a week in Bled, so I tested all the viewpoints of the lake out for you - I hope this helps you plan your trip and get the most out of the scenery around the lake. As always, please look after the places you visit and remember to only leave your footprints behind :)
All key pieces of information are correct from my own experience at the time of publication - always check details before you travel.
Don't forget to check out some of my other Europe posts!
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