Copenhagen: The Six Forgotten Giants Hunt and Nature Walk

The best thing about this outing is that it turns Thomas Dambo’s giant wooden trolls into an open-air treasure hunt. You leave central Copenhagen by van, then search for Sleeping Louis, Hilltop Trine, Oscar Under The Bridge, Thomas on the Mountain, Little Tilde, and Teddy Friendly in parks, woods, and quiet stretches of countryside.

I like two things right away: the route gets you beyond the city center without asking you to organize several buses, bikes, or taxis, and the small group makes the experience feel personal. Guide Milad Shekhzada is especially good at mixing stories about Dambo with Danish culture, stopping for questions, and taking photos for the group.

The main consideration is the walking. None of the hikes are described as strenuous, but you will walk at each of six stops, and the activity is not a good match for serious mobility limits. Weather also matters, so bring rain gear even when Copenhagen starts the day under blue skies.

Key points to know before you book

• Six sculptures, six different settings: Find giants on hillsides, under bridges, among trees, and in open natural areas.
• A practical four-hour route: Private transport links the spread-out sculptures, saving you from planning a complicated self-guided outing.
• A genuinely small group: The van and walking group are limited to six participants, plus the guide.
• A guide who acts as host: Milad Shekhzada provides local context, answers questions, offers a steady pace, and has been praised for including everyone.
• A useful mid-tour pause: Coffee, tea, biscuits, or snacks may be provided during the break, though meals are not included.
• Come ready for Danish weather: Comfortable shoes, water, snacks, an umbrella, and waterproof clothing are sensible choices.

Why these six giants are worth leaving Copenhagen for

Copenhagen is easy to enjoy on foot, but this tour shows you a less familiar side of Zealand. The six sculptures are scattered around the greater Copenhagen area, not lined up in one city park. Reaching them independently can mean working out several transport links, locating sculptures that are not always obvious, and keeping an eye on the clock.

Thomas Dambo made these giants from recycled materials, and their settings are part of the art. They are not displayed in a formal gallery with labels and velvet ropes. One lies across a hillside. Another waits beneath a bridge. Others appear among trees or in open areas with views over the surrounding countryside.

That setting changes the mood. You are not simply checking off six large wooden figures. You are walking through places chosen to make each sculpture feel like a discovery. The hunt gives children and adults a reason to look closely, while the natural surroundings keep the outing from becoming a standard sightseeing loop.

I also like the gentle humor built into the names. Sleeping Louis sounds as if he might be dreaming. Hilltop Trine has the high ground. Oscar Under The Bridge is placed for surprise. Little Tilde is the small and cute member of the group, while Teddy Friendly is designed to seem approachable and cuddly.

Meeting Milad and leaving the city

The meeting point is outside the YMCA Interpoint Hostel. After a quick introduction, you board private transport for roughly a 25-minute drive to the first area. That short ride matters because the sculptures are spread out, and it lets you spend your limited time walking and looking instead of figuring out roads and connections.

The group size is limited to six people. That is a real advantage here. You can ask Milad about Dambo’s work, Danish daily life, or the places you pass without having to speak over a large crowd. The small size also helps at the sculptures, where everyone can get a clear look and take photographs.

Milad’s role goes beyond pointing out the next turn. He has been praised for his warm, easygoing manner, his careful attention to different walking speeds, and his habit of speaking with each person in the group. If you are traveling alone, this format can make the outing social without feeling forced.

The transport is also a strong part of the value. A high 97 percent perfect score for the transport reflects how important the driving is to the experience. Some groups have used a private car, while the activity information describes private transportation for the small group. Either way, the idea is the same: you are driven from site to site rather than trying to connect the six locations yourself.

Sleeping Louis and Hilltop Trine

The first two giants introduce the basic rhythm of the tour. You ride to a natural setting, walk a short route, find a large wooden figure, take photographs, and hear about the artist and the location before moving on.

Sleeping Louis is likely to be the first playful surprise. The name gives you a clue about the pose, but the fun comes from seeing how Dambo fits a giant figure into its surroundings. The sculpture is part of the search, not simply a roadside object you spot from the van.

Hilltop Trine brings a different experience. As her name suggests, she sits high enough to offer a broad view. The walk gives you some fresh air and a chance to look across the area rather than only at the sculpture itself. Bring shoes with a good grip, since grass, woodland paths, and uneven outdoor ground can feel different after rain.

These early stops also help you judge the pace. The walking is moderate, and the transport breaks up the route, but this is still an active half-day. You should expect to get out at every site and walk rather than remain beside the vehicle.

Oscar Under The Bridge and the coffee pause

Oscar Under The Bridge is one of the more unusual placements. A giant tucked beneath a bridge has a built-in element of surprise, and it shows how Dambo uses overlooked public spaces rather than only scenic viewpoints.

The bridge setting also adds variety. After a hill and open views, you get a sculpture with a more enclosed, unexpected feel. It is the sort of stop where you may want to look around before taking the obvious photograph, since the setting is part of the joke.

After the first part of the hunt, the group takes a short coffee break. Coffee, tea, biscuits, or snacks may be available, based on the way Milad has hosted past outings, but do not treat this as a meal. Meals are not included, and you are welcome to bring your own snacks and drinks.

I would pack a small snack even if you are told refreshments will be available. Four hours is long enough for a mid-morning hunger gap, especially when you are walking outdoors. A pause beside a lake or in a park can also be one of the nicest parts of the outing because it gives you time to chat with the group instead of rushing from one sculpture to the next.

Thomas on the Mountain and the strongest walking section

Thomas on the Mountain gives the tour another change of scale. The sculpture’s high position creates a sense of height and makes the walk feel tied to the surrounding ground. It is a good point to slow down and take in the view before focusing on photographs.

Some people find the middle part of the tour the most rewarding because the walking route and the scenery become as important as the sculptures. You may pass through woodland or open green areas, with wildlife and natural views adding texture to the search. The supplied details do not promise a specific trail length, so plan for moderate walking rather than a fixed number of minutes.

This is also where good footwear pays off. Comfortable walking shoes are listed as essential, and I would not choose smooth city shoes for this activity. Denmark’s weather can change quickly, so a waterproof jacket is more useful than relying only on an umbrella, particularly if your hands are busy with a camera.

The tour is suitable for all age groups, but that does not mean it is effortless. Parents should note that unaccompanied minors are not allowed. Anyone with a physical limitation should consider the repeated walks, outdoor surfaces, and possibility of rain before booking.

Little Tilde and Teddy Friendly

Little Tilde is the smallest-sounding character in the group, and her placement provides a softer change after the mountain stop. Like the other giants, she is set in a natural area rather than a traditional attraction. That makes the approach part of the fun, since you are looking for the sculpture instead of simply arriving at a marked entrance.

Teddy Friendly closes the six-giant hunt. The name gives this final figure an inviting personality, and it is an easy sculpture to enjoy as a group photo stop. By now, you will have seen how different surroundings can change the feeling of Dambo’s recycled wood constructions.

The final two locations are also the part to think about carefully if you prefer a short, concentrated outing. One person who enjoyed the tour still felt that four giants would have been enough for one day, with the last two stops less essential than the middle section. That is a fair point: six sculptures offer a complete collection, but the full route may feel repetitive if you are more interested in a quick art visit than a nature walk.

For most people booking this experience, though, the number six is the point. The tour is designed to show the full set, and private transport keeps the day moving even though the sites are scattered.

What the guide adds to the experience

The guide can make or break a small-group outing, and Milad Shekhzada appears to understand the hosting side of the job. He explains Dambo’s ideas, gives background on recycled materials, and connects the art to Danish culture and everyday life.

His attention to pace is particularly useful. Past outings have included solo participants, couples, families, and older walkers. Milad has been described as willing to adjust the speed, plan rest stops, walk alongside individuals, and make sure nobody feels left behind.

He also offers to take photographs, which is practical when you want a picture with the full group or with a giant behind you. That small service means you are less likely to return with only close-ups of the sculptures and no record of being there.

The social side is another plus. With only six participants, you have a better chance of talking with the people in the van and on the paths. Solo visitors can meet others without being swallowed by a large coach group, while couples still get enough space for their own experience.

Is $137 a fair price?

At $137 per person, this is not a cheap way to see outdoor art. The price makes more sense when you consider what it replaces: transport planning, route-finding, driving between six spread-out sites, and the time spent locating sculptures that can be hard to find alone.

You are paying for a guide, private transport, and a coffee break. Meals are not included, so budget for your own food and bring water. The four-hour duration also makes this easier to fit into a Copenhagen visit than a full-day excursion.

The value is strongest for first-time visitors, solo visitors, cruise passengers, and anyone without a rental car. One independent attempt would require more work, and cycling the full route may not suit every schedule or weather forecast. If you already have a car and enjoy researching sculpture locations, you might prefer going alone.

I think the small group is the key reason to consider the price. You are not just buying a ride. You are getting a host who can keep the route efficient, explain the art, manage the timing, and help you enjoy the countryside without constantly checking directions.

How to prepare for the four hours

Pack lightly, but do not treat this as a city stroll. Comfortable shoes, water, snacks, and weatherproof clothing will make a real difference.

Useful items include:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Water and a snack
• Rain gear and an umbrella
• Clothing suited to changing weather
• A camera or phone with spare battery power

The activity runs in English. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Copenhagen plans are still shifting. Starting times vary, so check availability when you book.

Give yourself enough time to reach the meeting point outside the YMCA Interpoint Hostel. The information provided does not include hotel pickup as a standard feature, although one past outing ended with a drop-off near a hotel. I would not count on that unless the provider confirms it in advance.

Who should book the Forgotten Giants Hunt?

You should book this if you want a break from palaces, museums, and central-city streets. It suits people who like art with a playful edge, outdoor walking, photography, and small-group conversation.

Families can enjoy the giant figures, but children need to be accompanied. Solo visitors should find the group size comfortable, and couples can expect a relaxed outing rather than a formal lecture.

I would hesitate if you dislike walking, need fully accessible paths, or want a tightly packed sightseeing schedule. Six stops take time, and the weather may be wet. You also need to accept that the sculptures are spread through natural areas, so the experience depends on being outside.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want to see all six Forgotten Giants without the hassle of finding them alone. Milad’s friendly hosting, private transport, coffee stop, and ability to adjust the pace add practical value, while the sculptures offer a memorable way to see parts of Zealand beyond Copenhagen’s center.

Skip it if you want only one or two sculptures, dislike outdoor conditions, or feel that four hours is too long for a single art project. For everyone else, this is a playful, active half-day with enough scenery and local conversation to make the $137 fare feel reasonable.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet outside the YMCA Interpoint Hostel in Copenhagen.

How long does the activity last?

The experience lasts four hours, including transport, walks, sculpture stops, and a short coffee break.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to six participants, plus the live English-speaking guide.

Are meals included?

No. A coffee break is included, but meals are not. You may bring your own snacks and drinks.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, water, snacks, an umbrella, rain gear, comfortable clothes, and clothing suited to the weather.

Is the tour suitable for people with walking difficulties?

The activity includes moderate walking at six outdoor locations. It may not be suitable for people with walking difficulties or other physical limitations. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed.