Olympic Bobsleigh and Luge Track, Trebević

The Olympic Bobsleigh and Luge Track lies on Mount Trebević above Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, close to the Vidikovac cable car station. It was constructed for the 1984 Winter Olympics, held in February 1984 in what was then Yugoslavia, the first Winter Games hosted by a socialist country. The concrete run, around 1,300 metres long for bobsleigh, wound through forest on the mountain slope and hosted the bobsleigh and luge competitions. Sarajevo drew international praise for the Games, and the venues became a symbol of the city's cosmopolitan image. That changed in 1992. During the siege Bosnian Serb forces held positions on Trebević, and the track and nearby buildings were used as artillery and sniper positions overlooking the city. The concrete was damaged and mined areas surrounded the mountain, and demining was undertaken in the following years. Since the war the abandoned run has become covered with graffiti and street art, and a favourite for walkers, photographers and mountain bikers. It is not a managed attraction, with no entry gate, no tickets and no exhibitions, and its condition is that of a weathered ruin. The track is reached by the Trebević cable car, rebuilt and reopened in 2018 after being destroyed in the war, with a return fare of about 20 to 30 KM. From the upper station it is a short, signposted walk of around 20 minutes to the start of the run. Visitors should stay on marked paths because mines may still remain in uncleared forest. The hillside offers views of the city on clear days. Allow around two hours including the cable car and walk.