What to do in Sarajevo: The abandoned Sarajevo bobsled track
Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the heart of Europe’s Balkan region, has a chequered history and a wealth of highlights to discover. But one of the most unusual places to see in Sarajevo is hidden high up in the mountains behind the city. Left over from the 1984 Winter Olympic Games, the Sarajevo bobsleigh run has turned, over time, into an eerie reminder of the days before the Balkan war and the city’s 3-year siege, when these mountains hid snipers picking off the citizens in the city far below. Now graffitied and swallowed up by the surrounding forest, why not take a trip to discover the abandoned Sarajevo bobsled track for yourself?
Located in a bowl surrounded by mountains, Bosnia’s capital has nature right on its doorstep. In the heart of a Yugoslavia just beginning to open up after the death of Marshall Tito in the early 1980s, it was an unusual but welcome choice to host an Olympic Games most memorable for ice dancing and Britain’s Torvill and Dean’s classic Bolero. A cable car carried athletes and spectators alike from the heart of the city to the top of the mountain; but when war broke out less than 10 years later, the cable car fell into disrepair and the old bobsled site became difficult to reach without taking a car up the winding hillside roads.
As of 2018, however, the cable car has reopened and the city’s easy access to the mountains is back with a vengeance. The cable car station is just a few minutes’ walk from the Old Town, close to the historic Sarajevsko brewery to the south of the River Miljacka. Riding the cable car is not cheap; at 20KM (€10) for foreigners for a return ticket, it is closer to western European prices than those of Bosnia, but the trip is well worth it. Safe, shiny modern cars make the journey to the top of the mountain in 7 minutes, during which time the panoramic windows give an outstanding view over the city. Each small car seats 6 passengers comfortably; no risk of being squashed in the centre without a view. As of 2018 the cable car is not busy, and visiting on a September afternoon I had the carriage to myself.
The top of the mountain offers two magnificent viewpoints over the city, and access to a network of walking and cycling tracks. For those looking for fresh air away from the city, there are plenty of places to roam, but for the visitor the main draw has to be the bobsled track.
Following the tarmac road downhill from the viewpoint closest to the cable car station (the start of the path can be hard to spot; aim to head down to a point immediately below the viewpoint and you will find it), a five minute walk downhill will bring you to the bobsled track on your left-hand side. It is totally abandoned, surrounded by forest on all sides, and visitors are free to climb and roam to their heart’s content. The concrete track is heavily (but tastefully) graffitied, which somehow adds to its charm. Varying in width down to about 50cm at its narrowest, the track can be walked easily and safely along its full length. Not especially steep, it is however worth remembering that whoever walks down must walk back up again – so don’t be tempted to go further down the hillside than your fitness allows! Bear in mind also that there are no refreshments available at the cable car station at the top of the mountain; when I was there, locals were selling bottled drinks by the roadside, but out of season make sure you have water with you.
Sarajevo’s cable car costs 20KM return (15KM one way) for foreigners, 6KM return for Bosnian citizens. Children under 7 and pets travel free; bicycles cost an additional 4KM.
There is no charge to access the bobsled track.
Map of Sarajevo
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14 Comments
Sara
I was in Sarajevo in May and I 100% agree with you about having to go see the abandoned bobsleigh track! I found the entrance was a little difficult to find but once I found it, it was so worth the walk. The story behind why it was abandoned is also super interesting and I would recommend anyone who is thinking about checking it out to read a little more about it!
Jill Bowdery
Thanks Sara! Yes it took me ages to work out where I was going, which is why I mentioned it. There’s a very unclear, but no signposts!
I agree, knowing the story of Sarajevo is super important for understanding the city, especially as it’s within living memory for anyone 35+. Definitely something to check out if you’re planning a visit.
Aireona
This is something that really bothers me about the Olympics, it seems so wasteful. >.> I saw some similar abandoned buildings when I was in the Dominican Republic- luckily some of them were repurposed into a very well-loved park. That being said, abandoned places are very fascinating and I love your pictures.
Jill Bowdery
I think Sarajevo is a bit of an unusual case, as the city was in full-out war just 8 years after the Olympics were held. A lot of the venues in other parts of the city are back in use today as sporting centres. But I do know what you mean – it’s a lot of construction for a two-week event!
telle
Awesome post, with great info!
Jill Bowdery
Thanks so much!
Kayla Watson
Neat, I love exploring abandoned things! Just checked out the abandoned water park in Vietnam yesterday, was amazing! Would love to explore this one day.
Jill Bowdery
The water park sounds really cool too! It’s definitely worth a visit if you ever find yourself in Sarajevo.
Dagney
Not gonna lie, the graffiti is definitely what pulled me in, but I’m glad that it did! Great article, about such an unknown place! I had no idea this spot even existed, but happy to see Bosnia and Herzegovina getting some love since I feel like it’s so overlooked. It’s very high up on my bucket list, so will be saving this for when I finally make it out there!
Jill Bowdery
I absolutely fell in love with Bosnia & Herzegovina – which was totally unexpected. The landscape is beautiful, the history (recent and older) is fascinating, the culture is very Islamic and therefore exotic, and the people are so lovely. Oh, and it’s very affordable. Definitely worth visiting! (And yes, I loved the graffiti too!)
Dawn
We almost went to Bosnia this summer and I am so eager to get there. The views look incredible and the bobsled track would fascinate me as well.
Jill Bowdery
You won’t regret it when you get there! I loved Bosnia!
Carly | Fearless Female Travels
It’s been six years since I visited Sarajevo – we had to drive up to the bobsled track, but it would have been amazing to be able to make the journey via cable car! I guess I’ll have to go back!
Jill Bowdery
The view is fantastic, I would really recommend it if you ever do go back! I was really lucky as it only opened this year.