The Abandoned Olympic Bobsleigh Track in Sarajevo: A Tale of Two Worlds
When I first arrived, I immediately realized why everyone says this isn’t just an old sports venue.
Before visiting the Olympic Bobsleigh and Luge Track on Mount Trebević, I expected to see a crumbling concrete relic—a cool backdrop for some photos, and that’s about it. But almost everyone I talked to before my trip said the same thing in different ways:
“Don’t just look at it as a track… look at it as a piece of Sarajevo’s soul.”
Standing there, I totally got it.
The atmosphere is strangely peaceful. You’re surrounded by thick pine forests, the air is crisp and noticeably cooler than in the city center, and snaking through the trees is this massive concrete ribbon covered in vibrant graffiti. It’s beautiful, but there’s a heavy history here—the same concrete that hosted world-class athletes once served as a front-line fortification during the Bosnian War.
The coolest part? The track hasn’t been “Disney-fied.” It’s not a polished tourist trap. The cracks, the bullet holes in the concrete, and the layers of street art tell the real story of the city.
Why the Bobsleigh Track is Worth the Hype
Sarajevo has plenty of museums where you can read about history, but here, you’re literally walking through it.
Here is why you shouldn’t skip it:
- A Living Time Capsule: You’re walking inside a structure that hosted the 1984 Winter Olympics.
- The Scars of War: You can still see the strategic holes carved into the concrete from when it was used as a military position during the Siege of Sarajevo.
- The Street Art: It’s a massive, open-air gallery. The graffiti changes constantly, so every visit is slightly different.
- The Great Escape: It’s the perfect way to spend a few hours in nature on Mount Trebević without leaving the city limits.
- The Experience: Combining the Sarajevo Cable Car ride with a hike through the forest and a walk down the track is a top-tier travel day.
Most people plan to stay for thirty minutes but end up spending two hours. Every turn reveals a new perspective, a new mural, or a new historical detail.
From Olympic Gold to the Front Lines
The track was built for the 1984 Winter Olympics when Sarajevo was the center of the sporting world. Back then, it was one of the fastest and most modern bobsleigh tracks in Europe, spanning about 1.3 kilometers (0.8 miles) with terrifyingly sharp curves.
But less than a decade later, everything changed.
Because of its high vantage point overlooking the city, the track was used as a defensive position during the Siege of Sarajevo (1992–1995). Today, you can still see the “battle scars” on certain sections.
What makes it unique is that the city didn’t try to erase this history. Walking the track feels like moving between two opposite chapters of Sarajevo’s life: one filled with celebration and sport, and the other with conflict and resilience.
The Best Way to Get There: A Pro Tip
Before I went, I asked a few locals for the best route, and they all gave me the same “no-brainer” advice:
Take the cable car up… and walk down if you can.
It really is the best way to do it. The Sarajevo Cable Car (Sarajevska žičara) takes you from the edge of the Old Town to the top of Mount Trebević in minutes. The views of the city during the ride are worth the ticket price alone. Once you hit the top station, it’s a simple 10 to 15-minute walk through the woods to reach the start of the track.
If you love hiking, you can walk all the way back down to the city after your visit. The trails are beautiful and offer several “hidden” viewpoints.
Note: If you’re traveling with kids, seniors, or just aren’t up for a hike, a taxi or Uber-style ride can drop you off very close to the top of the track.
The “Bottom-Up” Strategy
There was one specific “trick” I heard before visiting that turned out to be 100% true:
“Don’t just start at the first curve you see.”
The pro move is to walk toward the lower section of the track first, then walk uphill, against the direction of the original race (from the finish line toward the start).
It sounded weird at first, but once I did it, I saw why. As you walk up, you get a much better sense of the scale and the steepness of the curves. It’s way easier to imagine the insane speeds the athletes were hitting when you’re looking “up” into those massive concrete walls.
It’s one of those things that photos just can’t capture—you have to feel the scale for yourself.
What You’ll Actually See Once You Hit the Track
The first thing that hits you is the scale. I’ll be honest—I thought I’d just walk for five minutes, snap a few photos, and head back. But the further you walk, the more addictive it gets. Every curve reveals a new mural, a sharper drop, or a different view of the thick pine forest.
The track is about 1.3 kilometers (0.8 miles) long, and you can walk the entire length of the interior. This is a huge deal because most Olympic sites in Europe are fenced off or repurposed into high-tech training facilities. Here, the concrete belongs to the hikers and the artists.
You’ll see the walls rise and fall depending on the original design of the race. It really makes you appreciate the G-forces the athletes must have felt during the ’84 games.
The best advice I got before going was:
“Walk the whole thing. Don’t just stop at the first curve.”
It was spot on. The most impressive graffiti and the most dramatic “empty” sections are further down, away from the crowds near the entrance.
Graffiti: The Soul of the Concrete
At first glance, you might think the graffiti is just vandalism. But once you’re standing inside those massive concrete curves, you realize it’s actually the track’s identity.
It’s an evolving, open-air gallery. You’ll find pieces by famous Bosnian street artists alongside tags from international travelers. Because the art changes constantly, people say that no two visits to the bobsleigh track are ever the same.
What I loved most is that the graffiti doesn’t hide the history; it breathes life into it. It’s a sign that the track is still “alive” and that people are still adding their own chapters to its story. If you’re into photography, this is where you’ll spend 90% of your time. Every curve offers a new color palette.
Pro Photography Tips
Don’t just whip out your camera at the start. The best shots aren’t near the entrance. Here’s where to look:
- The High Banks: Look for the steepest curves where the concrete walls tower over you.
- The Forest Contrast: Frame your shots so you see the vibrant colors of the graffiti against the deep greens and browns of the forest.
- The End Point: The finish line area gives you the best sense of how long the track actually is.
- The City Peeks: Keep an eye out for gaps in the trees where you can catch a glimpse of Sarajevo in the valley below.
Even with just a smartphone, you can get incredible shots. A wide-angle lens is your best friend here to capture the curvature of the track.
4 Mistakes Tourists Always Make
- Quitting after 5 minutes: Most people take a few selfies at the first bend and turn back. You’re missing the best parts! Walk to the lower sections for the most dramatic scenery.
- Wandering deep into the forest: This is the most important warning. The main trails and the track itself are perfectly safe. However, do not go off-trail into the deep woods. Some remote areas of Mount Trebević still have remnants of the war, and while tourist areas are cleared, it is always best to stay on the paved or well-marked paths.
- Underestimating the mountain chill: If it’s 80°F in the Old Town, it might feel like 65°F up on the mountain. Between the altitude and the shade from the pines, it gets chilly fast. Bring a light layer, even in summer.
- Forgetting water: There aren’t many places to grab a drink once you leave the cable car station. The hike isn’t “hard,” but walking the full track and then back up to the station is a workout.
Before You Head Back Down…
As I was leaving, I stopped for a second in the middle of a massive concrete curve and just looked around.
This place hosted the world’s elite athletes, then it saw the front lines of a war, and now, it’s a place where people come to hike, paint, and enjoy nature.
Someone told me before I left:
“You don’t go there to see a track; you go there to see the story of Sarajevo in one place.”
I don’t think there’s a better way to put it.
Quick Facts for Travelers
| Feature | Details |
| Name | Trebević Olympic Bobsleigh Track |
| Location | Mount Trebević, Sarajevo |
| Year Built | 1984 (for the Winter Olympics) |
| Length | Approx. 1.3 km (0.8 miles) |
| Entrance Fee | Free |
| Visit Duration | 1–2 hours |
| How to Get There | Sarajevo Cable Car + a 10-15 min walk |
| Best Time to Visit | Morning or late afternoon |
| Kid-Friendly? | Yes, but keep them on the track/path |
| What to Bring | Comfortable shoes, water, light jacket, camera |
| Top Warning | Stay on the track and official trails. Do not enter the forest. |