Trebević

Why go

Trebević is a protected mountain landscape above Sarajevo, close enough for a half-day escape yet large enough for a proper walk. The upper slopes combine forest, marked routes and wide views over the Sarajevo basin.

Its defining landmark is the former bobsleigh and luge track built for the 1984 Sarajevo Winter Olympics. The concrete course hosted Olympic sliding events, was badly damaged during the 1992–95 war, and is not fit for official competition today. Its steep, graffiti-covered curves now make an unusually direct walk through the mountain’s Olympic and wartime history.

Ride up from Bistrik

The simplest approach is the Sarajevo Cable Car from the Bistrik district, above the old town. The rebuilt gondola follows the historic route to the mountain; the original 1959 cable car was destroyed during the war and the replacement opened in 2018.

At the upper station, start with the viewing area: it gives a clear read of Sarajevo’s narrow valley and surrounding ridges. The track is reached on established paths from here. Allow two to three hours for the cable car, viewpoint and track; add time for a longer marked walk.

Cable-car hours change with season, weather and maintenance. Confirm the day’s service and note the final descent before leaving the upper station.

The Olympic track

Walk the concrete channel rather than treating it as a sports facility. The track is open access, but it is unstaffed, without railings or lighting. The walls and curves are compelling at close range; the full structure is also a stark reminder that this slope became part of the Sarajevo siege.

Use it carefully:

• Wear shoes with reliable grip; cracked or wet concrete can be slippery.
• Watch for cyclists, particularly at blind bends.
• Keep children close to you near edges and banked walls.
• Turn back in good time for the cable car rather than walking the forest after dark.

Walking beyond the track

Trebević has routes for walking and mountain biking, with beech, fir and spruce among the characteristic forest cover. Longer trails lead away from the upper-station area, while the summit of Sofe reaches 1,627 metres.

This is mountain terrain, not an urban park. Carry water and an extra layer: the ridge can be noticeably cooler and windier than Sarajevo. In snow, ice or low cloud, keep the outing short and use the established route back to the station.

Stay on marked ground

Important: do not take shortcuts into the forest or wander off marked trails. Trebević was heavily affected by the war; public routes and recreation areas have been reopened, but off-trail ground should not be assumed safe. Keep to the signed path and the concrete track.

The protected landscape also deserves basic trail discipline: take litter away, do not damage vegetation, and leave the painted track as you found it.