Šargan Eight (Šarganska Osmica): Serbia's Figure-8 Steam Railway

In Mokra Gora Nature Park in western Serbia runs the world's only figure-8 mountain railway — the Šargan Eight (Serbian: Šarganska osmica), 15.4 km long, with 22 tunnels and 5 bridges, hauled by steam locomotive pulling vintage wooden carriages. It is one of the most-photographed pieces of industrial heritage in Serbia. This guide gives Mandarin-speaking travellers the timetable, ticket prices and best photo spots.

What it is: an engineering trick to climb a steep grade

The Šargan Eight was built at the end of the First World War and opened on 25 January 1925. It was originally a section of the narrow-gauge Belgrade–Sarajevo trunk line, linking Mokra Gora in Serbia with Vardište in Bosnia (then both under Austro-Hungarian occupation). The engineering challenge: over a 13 km straight-line distance the line had to climb 350 m — a 27‰ gradient, far too steep for a conventional railway to climb directly.

The engineers' solution: fold the railway into the shape of the numeral 8. The line crosses itself twice, loops around two hilltops, runs through 22 tunnels and crosses 5 bridges over mountain ravines, breaking the steep climb into manageable gradients. That is the origin of the name — Šargan (the mountain) + Eight (the figure).

The Belgrade–Sarajevo narrow-gauge mainline was closed on 28 February 1974, and the Šargan Eight fell out of use with it. In the 1990s the Mokra Gora homeland association pushed for restoration, and the heritage line reopened on 1 September 2003; in 2010 it was extended to Višegrad in Bosnia. The line carries roughly 80,000–100,000 visitors a year today (around 30% from outside Serbia).

Route, timetable, fares

Route: Mokra Gora terminus → Jatare → Šargan Vitasi terminus → return along the same line. Round trip takes about 2.5 hours, including a viewpoint stop and photo time.

Operating season: April–October (1–3 services per day); November–March, services are reduced or only run on weekends. Always check current timings on the Serbian Railways website or the Mokra Gora Nature Park site before going.

Fares:

• Adult one-way 800 RSD (~€7) / return 1,500 RSD (~€13)
• Children aged 6–15: half price
• Children under 6: free
• Groups of 10+: 20% discount

Booking ahead: in high season (July–August, holidays) book seats at least 7 days in advance. Our BALKAN CHINA Šargan-8 + Drina + Drvengrad full-day tour (€100/pax) includes ticket booking, driver-guide transfers, Drvengrad and the Drina river house.

Best photo spots

1. Aerial of the figure-8 crossover — the elevated viewpoint near Šargan Vitasi station. A drone can capture the full 8 shape (a flight permit must be requested in advance).
2. Jatare station viewpoint — halfway up the slope, ideal for catching the steam locomotive crossing the bridge below.
3. Locomotive close-up — you can walk up to the front of the engine in the 10 minutes before departure at Mokra Gora.
4. Looking out from the carriage — pick a seat on the right-hand side (heading toward Šargan Vitasi) for the best views.
5. Wooden carriage interiors — brass lamps, wooden panelling and steel-rimmed windows are a detail-lover's dream.

Pair it with: 3 must-do day-trip companions

• Drvengrad (Mećavnik) wooden village — the wooden eco-village built by Serbian director Emir Kusturica in 2003–2004 for his film Life Is a Miracle, 2 km from the Mokra Gora terminus. The village has a hotel, restaurants, galleries and a film school.
• Drina River House — the wooden cabin perched on a lone rock in the middle of the Drina near Bajina Bašta, built in 1968 and brought to global fame by a 2012 National Geographic cover. About one hour by car from Mokra Gora.
• Tara National Park — the Tara mountains, 80% forest cover, with the kilometre-deep Drina canyon. The Banjska Stena viewpoint is one of the most spectacular shots in Serbia.

Together these four make up western Serbia's classic “three best photo spots plus one” one-day route, doable as a day trip from Belgrade (depart 06:30, return 20:30, around 14 hours total). Our Šargan-8 + Drina River House + Drvengrad full-day Mandarin small-group tour is the polished version of this route.

Practical tips for Mandarin-speaking travellers

1. Book 30 days ahead — in high season seats sell out fast and a same-day visit can leave you stranded.
2. Season: May–June and September–October are best — comfortable temperatures and soft light. July and August are hot (no air conditioning in the carriages). Winter has reduced service.
3. Camera: a phone is enough, but a DSLR with a telephoto lens captures the locomotive emerging from a tunnel beautifully.
4. For children: the figure-8 layout and the steam whistle make this a star attraction for family travel, especially for ages 6–12.
5. Food: there is no on-board service. Eat lunch first at one of the wooden restaurants beside the Mokra Gora terminus (Serbian grilled ćevapi runs €8–12 a portion).
6. Accommodation: for sunrise or sunset shots, stay a night at the Drvengrad village hotel (€80–150/night) and shoot the locomotive in early-morning mist around 06:00 the next day.

Want more photo locations in western Serbia? See our 30-Minute History of Tito and Yugoslavia for Chinese Travellers (Tito's personal Blue Train also passed through Užice).