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Above Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital Sarajevo, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy Trebević, a mountainous protected landscape. While not a towering peak - like the rest of the country’s mountains - Trebević is still beloved by tourists and locals alike. It’s a great place to take refuge during the summer heat and offers beautiful hikes and historical landmarks. The mountain range’s highest peak is Sofe, also known as Trebević (1,627 m / 5,337 ft).
Trebević is a mountain in central Bosnia and Herzegovina within the Canton Sarajevo; it is a part of the Jahorina massif and lies above the country's capital, Sarajevo. The city connects to this recreational area by road and a 1,700 m (5,577 ft) cable car, which reopened in 2018. Trebević has had a legal protection status as a park forest since 1954. The area has high biological, pedological, and geological diversity.
The mountain is part of the Jahorina massif, which is approximately 12 km (7.5 mi) long, 8 km (5 mi) wide, and has five ridges stretching along SE to NW. The Jahorina massif is part of the Dinaric Alps.
The northern aspects of Trebević are home to the Trebević River and Miljacka Canyon. In contrast, its southern aspects separate it from Jahorina Mountain. Kasindolski Creek lies to the south, and Sarajevsko Plain is to the west.
The area consists of three protected zones (with a total area of 400 ha / 984 acres). The first zone, the nucleus, is a strictly protected area covering 55.40 ha (135 acres), the second (puffer) 294 ha (726 acres), and the third, the transitional zone, 50.80 ha (123 acres). The primary purpose of establishing a protected landscape (nature park) is to preserve and enhance geographical and biological diversity.
Trebević is known as the "lungs of Sarajevo" due to its lush forests. It is the closest mountain to the city; to access Trebević, one can hike, drive, cycle, or take a public van. Most visitors reach it by cable car from the heart of the Old Town. A bus line, number 98 (Latinska Ćuprija - Trebević), is available on weekends and holidays. The bus departs at 9:00 am and 4:00 pm and returns from Trebević at 10:00 am and 5:00 pm.
With plenty of parking space, organized excursion areas, and several restaurants, Brus is an ideal starting and ending point for exploring Trebević, with numerous activities available. You can rent mountain bikes and quads here, and there are picnic areas for families. Beautiful views of Sarajevo, nearby towns and villages, and the captivating mountain ranges of Bukovik, Romanija, and Jahorina await at the Trebević summit.
If you arrive in Trebević via Vraca or Širokača, you will pass Sunnyland, an amusement park for children and adults. The main attraction is an adrenaline-inducing alpine coaster on a slope facing Sarajevo.
The network of streams from Dobra Voda flows down the northern slopes of Trebević, passing through dense forests and intertwining with hiking trails and promenades, creating a pleasant atmosphere. The Mali Studenac stream springs from Tabačka Ravnica and flows down the slopes of Trebević towards the Bistrički Potok. The waterways and streams that form here are critical water sources for Sarajevo, one of the reasons why Trebević is protected.
Trebević consists mainly of Triassic sedimentary formations. However, quaternary sediments can be found surrounding surface streams or steep slopes. Frequent geomorphological processes, including landslides, erosion, and sediment accumulation, are evident throughout the park.
Trebević has vegetation typical of the Dinaric Mountains. Beech, Turkey oak, European hop hornbeam, fir and spruce, and European hop hornbeam forest complexes dominate the habitat. The rare community of Pancic's spruce is present within these stands. Norway spruce (Picea abies) and fir (Abies alba) are abundant, forming forests with fir on the northern and spruce on the southern slopes.
Ecologists have identified 99 plant species and 14 species of fungi in the area. Of the plant species, three are on the Red List of the Federation of BiH: Pancic's spruce (Picea omorika), early-purple orchid (Orchis maculata), and Scabiosa leucophylla. The Caesar's mushroom - Amanita Caesarea is on the Red List of fungi.
The Trebević area is rich in birdlife, with 26 species of birds documented. The most common species include Capercaillie, golden eagle, rock partridge, middle spotted woodpecker, and great cormorant.
Mammals inhabit the area of Trebević, including the white-bellied hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor), wolf (Canis lupus), brown bear (Ursus arctos), fox (Vulpes vulpes), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), European hare (Lepus europaeus), and Eurasian badger (Meles meles), among others. Brown bears, wolves, and capercaillies only occasionally pass through the higher elevations.
The Bosnian adder (Vipera ursinii) is on the Red List of reptiles. The nose-horned viper (Vipera ammodytes) population is healthy, especially in rocky areas and scree. The green lizard (Lacerta viridis) and wall lizard (Lacenta muralis) have also been observed in Trebević.
The origin of the name Trebević is uncertain, but historians believe there was once a Slavic sacrificial altar dedicated to one of the gods, most likely Perun. Thus, the word "trebevište" (from trijebiti) remained.
During ancient times, the Illyrians inhabited the mountain’s slopes. They founded a settlement in today's Debelo Brdo. The importance of Trebević declined during the Middle Ages. During Ottoman rule, the region began to undergo increased urbanization around present-day Sarajevo.
During the Austro-Hungarian rule, the importance of Trebević suddenly increased, primarily from a military aspect; the whole city of Sarajevo could be seen from its slopes. Some fortresses still remain on the mountain. As its slopes slowly reforested, Trebević became increasingly utilized for recreational tourism, particularly as a picnic and hiking area.
After World War II, the renovation and construction of new tourist facilities and a cable car began. During the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, the importance of Trebević grew with the founding of the first mountaineering societies in Sarajevo, and the first mountaineering lodges were built. Some of this infrastructure was destroyed during the Bosnian War from 1992 to 1995.
Trebević hosted bobsledders and tobogganers at the XIV (1984) Winter Olympic Games held in Sarajevo.
When Sarajevo was awarded the 1984 Winter Olympics in 1977, organizers proposed the construction of a bobsleigh and luge track. The committee approved the track’s design in 1981, and construction began on June 1. It was completed on September 30, 1982, with a 5.5 million Yugoslav dinar price tag.
During the 1984 Olympics, 20,000 spectators watched the luge competitions, and 30,000 watched the bobsled. After the Games, athletes used the track for World Cup competitions until the beginning of the wars in the former Yugoslavia in 1991. The track suffered heavy damage during the war; Bosnian Serb forces used it as an artillery position. Today, graffiti artists make use of the abundant surface area.
The mountain cable car that connects the Old Town with Trebević mountain is known as the Sarajevo cable car. It opened to the public on May 3, 1959.
The cable car connected the city center with the Vidikovac area on Trebević, with a capacity of 400 passengers per hour. However, years of operation and repairs took their toll, causing severe problems to the point that relevant institutions prohibited further repairs.
The cable car was completely destroyed during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1992-1995). It was reconstructed in 2017 and 2018 and officially opened on April 6, 2018, on the Day of Sarajevo. A total of 33 modern gondolas make up the new system, which can transport 1,200 passengers from the city to Trebević per hour, with a one-way journey lasting about 9 minutes.
These are the recommended hikes for Trebević Mountain:
Numerous trails reach the summit of Trebević or Sofe. One of the best options involves crossing the eastern ridge and returning via the western ridge. You can start the climb at the Napredak Lodge. The hike is relatively moderate and does not require an overly high fitness level. The initial section of the trail passes through the forest, and the eastern ridge offers a stunning view of the surrounding mountains.
As you approach the Dobre Vode lodge ruins, a zigzag path will lead you to the lookout point. From there, turn left and follow the marked path towards the eastern ridge, where you'll enjoy panoramic vistas of Romanija, Jahorina, Treskavica, Visočica, and Bjelašnica. The return route follows the western ridge. The hike has an elevation gain of 500 m (1,640 ft) and a length of 8 km (5 mi).
This pleasant and easy hike gradually ascends through a coniferous forest. The reward is a beautiful ridge at the top of Sofe, offering views over a large part of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
To reach the summit of Trebević, you can take a forest road from Brus. From the Napredak Lodge, turn left and follow the winding trail heading up. The ascent takes around three hours, with a 500 m (1,640 ft) elevation gain over 9.5 km (6 mi).
Right next to the Sarajevo cable car top station lies the bobsled track, a unique and popular attraction for visitors to Sarajevo. The hike along the track is not very demanding and takes no more than 30 minutes, even if you stop to take pictures of the colorful graffiti that covers the walls.
If you continue past the start line for about 300 m (984 ft), you see a fantastic panoramic view of the city. Visitors can access another great viewpoint by taking the stairs to the left of the track when facing downhill. After a few minutes of walking along the trail to the left, you will arrive at another viewpoint with stunning views of the surrounding hills and valleys.
These are the most significant cities near Trebević Protected Area:
Sarajevo is the capital and largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, situated in the country's southwestern part. With a population of around 300,000, it is the cultural and economic center of the region. The city's historic center is Baščaršija, a bustling marketplace with narrow streets and traditional architecture dating back to Ottoman times.
Sarajevo offers various accommodation options, from luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels and guesthouses. Some of the most popular areas for accommodation in Sarajevo include the city center, the lively neighborhood of Ferhadija, and the quieter residential areas of Marijin Dvor and Alipašino Polje.
Visoko is a town in central Bosnia and Herzegovina, near the capital city of Sarajevo, with a population of approximately 42,000. The town is known as one of the most famous archaeological sites, the Visoko Pyramid, which some claim is the largest pyramid in the world.
In addition to its historical significance, Visoko offers visitors a chance to experience traditional Bosnian cuisine and hospitality. Accommodation options in Visoko include hotels, guesthouses, and private apartments. It is a popular destination for tourists exploring Bosnia and Herzegovina's cultural and historical heritage.
Mostar lies in southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, near the border with Croatia. Its population is approximately 100,000, and it’s known for its beautiful historic bridge, the Stari Most, which spans the Neretva River. The city was influenced by its Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian past.
Mostar offers various accommodation options, including hotels, guesthouses, and hostels, with options for all budgets. The Old Town area is trendy among tourists for its traditional architecture, restaurants, and shops. Overall, Mostar is a charming and picturesque city with a unique blend of cultural influences.
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