The Six Forgotten Giants Trolls Hunt with Minibus

Six giant wooden trolls hide in the green suburbs west of Copenhagen. This half-day tour finds them one by one, using a comfortable minibus to link nature preserves, hills, lakes, and quiet paths that would be awkward to reach without your own car. I like the small group of up to eight and the way the tour gives you time to explore each sculpture rather than rushing from one photo stop to the next.

I also like the mix of public art and fresh air, plus the local stories shared by guides such as Vinod. The main drawback is value: at $129.59 per person, you are paying mainly for transport, guidance, and convenience. If you already have a car, you could visit the trolls independently for less.

Six giant trolls, six very different settings

• Hill Top Trine gives you a view: Crawl into her hands on a hill in Hvidovre and look across Avedøresletten.
• Sleeping Louis is made for play: His open mouth is large enough to enter, sit in, or even stretch out inside.
• Oscar under the bridge uses scrap materials: The sculpture was built from old watermill wood and broken industrial pallets.
• Little Tilde rewards careful looking: She watches from across a small lake in Vallensbæk Mose.
• Teddy Friendly helps you cross: Made from local scrapwood, he reaches toward visitors beside a stream.
• Thomas on the Mountain offers the best perch: His long legs make a natural seat above Albertslund.

Why this unusual Copenhagen tour works

Thomas Dambo’s trolls are not polished bronze statues placed in a city square. They are huge wooden creatures built from reused materials and set among trees, water, hills, and rough paths. Finding them feels closer to a gentle treasure hunt than a standard art tour.

The Six Forgotten Giants project was created to bring people into areas around Copenhagen that many visitors would otherwise skip. That matters. You leave the city center and see a quieter side of the capital, one shaped by open fields, wetlands, local parks, and suburban nature.

The tour begins at 10:00 a.m. from CPH Tours & Tickets on Colbjørnsensgade 15. From there, your driver-guide takes you between six locations. The total outing takes about four hours, although the actual time can stretch to four or five hours depending on driving and walking conditions.

The minibus is an important part of the experience. Most drives between stops take around five to ten minutes, so you are not stuck in a vehicle for long stretches. The small group also keeps the ride manageable. Several people specifically appreciated the comfortable van, and free WiFi is available onboard.

You should still think of this as an outdoor walking tour. You may walk roughly 10 to 15 minutes each way at some locations, and the ground is not equally easy everywhere. Bring water, wear shoes suited to paths and hills, and use sunscreen in summer. There is no lunch included, and water is not provided onboard, so buy a drink before departure or bring your own.

Hvidovre and Hill Top Trine

The first stop is Hill Top Trine in Hvidovre. She rests on a small hill, where you can crawl into her enormous palms. This is more than a quick statue photograph because the hill provides a broad view over Avedøresletten.

That viewpoint helps set the tone for the morning. You are not simply checking off six objects. You are seeing how each giant belongs to its surroundings. Trine’s high position makes her easy to understand as a lookout, and the open view gives you a useful sense of the western edge of Copenhagen.

The walk here is described as manageable, though outdoor conditions can change the footing. Allow time to climb, explore the sculpture, and take photos from different angles. Children and playful adults will get more from the stop than anyone hoping for a formal museum-style art talk.

Trine’s name has a personal link to the project. She was named after one of the volunteers who worked on another of the hidden giants, which gives the sculpture a human touch beyond its size and comic shape.

Rødovre and Sleeping Louis

Sleeping Louis is in a wooded, natural area outside Rødovre. He lies on a hill, taking a nap, and his wide-open mouth creates one of the tour’s most playful stops. You can crawl inside, sit, play, or even lie down in the sculpture.

This is likely to be one of the most memorable giants for families. The scale is easy to grasp because you can physically enter the artwork. It also makes a good contrast with Hill Top Trine. Instead of looking outward from a high point, Louis invites you to become part of the sculpture.

The wooded setting may feel more enclosed than the open fields at Hvidovre. That variety is one reason the route works well. Each stop has a different mood, and the short minibus ride lets you reset before the next walk.

Take care with clothing if the ground is damp. The tour does not promise indoor shelter, and the activity depends on decent weather. If rain or poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Ishøj and Oscar under the bridge

The third sculpture, Oscar under the bridge, shows the project’s interest in reclaimed materials. He was made from scrapwood taken from a demolished watermill and broken pallets from local industries.

That construction method is worth paying attention to. The rough wood is not just a cheap substitute for new material. It helps the sculpture feel tied to working places and discarded objects. You get a better sense of the artist’s approach when you look closely at the uneven surfaces and reused boards.

Oscar’s name also has a story. He was named after an artist from Chile who visited Thomas Dambo and helped during the building period. Your guide can add context about the artist and the project as you walk, which gives the stop more meaning than a quick roadside photograph.

The bridge setting makes this giant different from the open hilltops and lakeside paths elsewhere on the route. It may be less scenic than the broad viewpoints, but it adds an urban and industrial note to the day.

Vallensbæk Mose and Little Tilde

Little Tilde is located in Vallensbæk Mose, a nature area with wild plants and animal life. She watches from the far side of a small lake, partly screened by trees.

This stop asks you to slow down and look. Tilde is not necessarily the easiest giant to approach closely, since you may first see her at a distance across the water. That distance is part of the design. She appears to be watching the area rather than simply waiting for visitors to climb on her.

For photographers, the lake and trees provide a calmer setting than the more interactive sculptures. For children, the challenge becomes spotting her through the branches. The tradeoff is that you may not get the same close-up, climb-in photographs available at Sleeping Louis or Hill Top Trine.

Vallensbæk Mose also gives you one of the clearest nature breaks on the route. If you want a half-day outside the city, this is an important part of the appeal. You are moving through areas with water, wildlife, and open air rather than spending the entire morning beside roads and buildings.

Taastrup and Teddy Friendly

Teddy Friendly stands beside a water stream near a lake. He holds out a hand to help people cross, making him one of the most inviting figures on the route.

His fur is made from cutoffs taken from local trees that were cut down, along with other local scrapwood. That material choice links Teddy to the same reuse idea seen at Oscar under the bridge, but the finished character feels warmer and more welcoming.

The water adds movement and sound to the stop. It also gives you a reason to view the sculpture from several angles. A single front-facing photo will not show how Teddy relates to the crossing, the stream, and the path.

This is another location where comfortable shoes help. The walks are not presented as strenuous hikes, but you will be outdoors for much of the tour. If you have limited mobility, ask carefully about the route before booking. One detailed account described 10 to 15 minutes of walking each way at some locations and did not recommend the outing for people with restricted mobility.

Albertslund and Thomas on the Mountain

The final stop is Thomas on the Mountain, perched on a hill in Albertslund. He has long legs and sits above the municipality, giving you a place to rest and look out across the area.

Ending here makes sense. After five earlier stops, you get a final high point and a chance to sit with friends on the sculpture’s legs. The view is a natural closing scene, especially if the weather is clear.

This giant also brings you closest to the spirit of the whole project. The sculpture is not separated from daily life by a ticket barrier or glass wall. It occupies a public outdoor setting, and its position encourages you to climb, sit, look around, and notice the place where it was built.

The stop can be more demanding in wet weather. A hill that feels easy on a dry morning may be slippery after rain. The operator requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

What you get for $129.59

The $129.59 price is easiest to justify if you do not have a car. The six giants are spread across Hvidovre, Rødovre, Ishøj, Vallensbæk, Taastrup, and Albertslund. Public transport may get you near some locations, but reaching all six in one morning would take planning and extra time.

Your price covers private transportation, all fees and taxes, and the guide. It does not cover lunch. The minibus also saves you from arranging parking, checking directions, or driving after spending the morning walking outdoors.

Still, this is not a bargain attraction. There is no meal, paid entry, or major indoor site included. You are paying for a four-hour route and a guide who can explain the sculptures and local area. If you can rent a car and enjoy planning your own route, self-driving may be the better value.

The tour earns its price more easily when you value convenience, a small group, and storytelling. It is also a good use of a morning when you have already seen Copenhagen’s central sights and want something less typical.

Group size, guide style, and pace

The maximum group size is eight people. That is small enough to keep the minibus comfortable and make it easier to hear your guide. It also helps at the sculptures, where a large crowd could make the playful spaces feel awkward.

Guide Vinod, also called Vino, is frequently singled out for his humor and enthusiasm for Thomas Dambo’s work. He walks with the group to the giants and explains their background, the artist, and the materials used. The quality of a tour like this depends heavily on the guide, so that personal element matters.

The pace is another strength. You generally have about 30 minutes at each stop, with short drives between most locations. That gives you time for photos and exploration without turning every stop into a rushed five-minute viewing.

You will not be trapped in the vehicle all morning, but you also will not spend hours at one sculpture. The rhythm is simple: drive, walk, explore, hear a story, take photos, and move on.

Who should book it

I would choose this tour if you want an unusual art outing, enjoy being outdoors, or have already covered the main Copenhagen sights. Families should especially like Sleeping Louis and the climbable parts of several sculptures. Solo visitors can also join comfortably because the group is small and the activity gives you plenty to look at.

It suits anyone who likes public art with a sense of humor. The sculptures are large, rough, and interactive rather than delicate. You can approach them as art, as a photo hunt, or simply as an excuse to see the suburbs and nature areas beyond central Copenhagen.

I would hesitate if you dislike walking, need a fully accessible route, or want a tightly scheduled sightseeing program with no uncertainty from weather. Bring water, sunscreen, and sturdy shoes. Plan for outdoor exposure of about three and a half hours.

The meeting point is near public transportation, and the tour returns there at the end. Confirmation arrives at booking. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure, but late cancellations are not refunded.

Should you book the Six Forgotten Giants hunt?

Book it if you want a relaxed half-day away from central Copenhagen and do not have a car. The six sculptures are genuinely different, the settings keep changing, and the small minibus makes the route simple.

Skip it if the price feels high for transport and outdoor statues, especially if you can drive yourself. For most people, the best reason to book is not just seeing the giants. It is having Vinod guide you through the project while you enjoy Copenhagen’s greener, quieter outskirts without worrying about directions.

FAQ

How long does the Six Forgotten Giants tour take?

The tour lasts approximately four hours, though the full outing can take four to five hours when driving and walking time are included.

What time does the tour start?

It starts at 10:00 a.m.

Where does the tour begin?

You meet at CPH Tours & Tickets, Colbjørnsensgade 15, 1652 København, Denmark.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point.

How many trolls will I see?

You will visit all six sculptures: Hill Top Trine, Sleeping Louis, Oscar under the bridge, Little Tilde, Teddy Friendly, and Thomas on the Mountain.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Private transportation in a minibus is included, along with all fees and taxes.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, and water is not provided onboard.

How large is the group?

The tour has a maximum of eight participants.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English, and you receive a mobile ticket.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather or an insufficient minimum group can also lead to a new date or a full refund.