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All Bosnia and Herzegovina Sarajevo Sarajevo Bobsleigh Track
AO Edited

Sarajevo Bobsleigh Track

A war-torn Olympic relic is being overtaken by graffiti and nature.

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Added By
Hannah Frishberg
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  Julian Nitzsche
The track in 2008   Martijn.Munneke
Sarajevo Bobsleigh Track   Lazhar Neftien via Wikimedia Commons
Map at the cable car   escapementality / Atlas Obscura User
  maverickscenic / Atlas Obscura User
  maverickscenic / Atlas Obscura User
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turn #9 after a fresh snowfall (Dec ‘19)   burkh4rt / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
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Map on the trail   escapementality / Atlas Obscura User
Bobsleigh track   stevensbecca / Atlas Obscura User
Sarajevo Bobsled Track   jetsettingfools / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Once a proud feature of Sarajevo's 1984 Winter Olympic games, the bobsleigh track has since fallen into ruin after being the victim of military actions. 

The 1300-meter concrete track was completed in 1982 and featured a total of 13 turns for the lugers to navigate. The expensive public work paid off for the country after the events around the site during the Olympics garnered enormous crowds. The track was able to be reused during World Cup competitions in later years following the winter games and it appeared that the long track would continue to pay dividends.

Unfortunately when the Yugoslav Wars began in 1991, the track, like the rest of the country, became embroiled in the fighting. The curled turns were used as defensive positions for Bosnian forces, and the whole of the track became pocked with bullet holes and other wounds.

Today, the track still stands as a favorite spot for local graffiti artists who have decorated whole swaths of the curving lane. The Sarajevo Bobsleigh Track is a literal concrete reminder of a more prosperous time. It is currently under re-construction for future bobsleigh competitions but official guided tours are still available.

Related Tags

Sports Abandoned Olympics Ruins

Know Before You Go

Do not wander around this area alone or without a local who knows it perfectly; there are still many unexploded mines littering the hillside. Venturing off the established paths is not advised. However, many travelers do hike this medium-difficult trek through the houses on Mount Trebević. Alternatively, there are tours which cater for those who do not want to hike or local buses which go three-quarters of the way there. You can also hire a taxi and your driver may act as your tour guide for the trip, just be patient and negotiate the price before getting in. The easiest way to reach the track is now via the recently refurbished cable car. The way is signposted with maps from the cable car exit.

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Added By

Hannah Frishberg

Edited By

Rachel, rachlewis, Martin, hrnick...

  • Rachel
  • rachlewis
  • Martin
  • hrnick
  • agrocholska84
  • Bart van Eijden
  • lookingforstu
  • elizabethtravels
  • escapementality
  • zydeko
  • GemmaA
  • jetsettingfools
  • joseangelo85
  • MrCarl
  • Allison
  • EricGrundhauser
  • Collector of Experiences
  • stevensbecca
  • burkh4rt
  • maverickscenic

Published

December 8, 2013

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Sources
  • http://www.abandonedplaygrounds.com/sarajevo-olympic-bobsleigh-and-luge-track-forgotten-in-bosnia/
  • http://www.offbeattravelling.com/the-abandoned-bobsleigh-track-of-sarajevo/
  • http://lookingforstu.com/1984-olympics/?doing_wp_cron=1433250102.9255468845367431640625
  • http://elizabethtravels.com/sarajevo-abandoned-bobsled-track/
  • https://www.twoscotsabroad.com/sarajevo-bobsled-track/
  • http://jetsettingfools.com/abandoned-olympic-bobsled-track-in-sarajevo/
  • https://youtu.be/a_Pmp62fib4
  • https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g294450-d6589763-r599272545-Sarajevo_Olympic_Bobsleigh_and_Luge_Track-Sarajevo_Sarajevo_Canton.html
  • https://www.zicara.ba/en/home
  • https://www.lonelyplanet.com/news/2018/04/13/cable-car-in-mount-trebevic-reopens/
  • https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sarajevo+Abandoned+Bobsled+Track/@43.8418607,18.4419857,16.5z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x4758c77148d37f83:0xbf44577e998b0db7!2zVHJlYmV2acSH!3b1!8m2!3d43.7964372!4d18.4788323!3m4!1s0x4758c7d5a725c0fb:0xa539207258560141!8m2!3d43.8400649!4d18.4434338
Sarajevo Bobsleigh Track
Apelova cesta
Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina
43.840305, 18.443502
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Nearby Places

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Nearby Places

Čolina Kapa Astronomical Observatory

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Sarajevo

Sarajevo

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