The Forgotten Giants Private Tour

Thomas Dambo’s wooden giants turn Copenhagen’s outer suburbs into an open-air art hunt. On this private half-day tour, you visit six large sculptures made from scrap wood and other discarded materials, from Hill Top Trine’s lookout to Sleeping Louis’s enormous mouth. The art is playful, rough-edged, and made for curious people rather than quiet gallery viewing.

I like the private car and guide, which save you from piecing together scattered locations by bus, bike, or rental car. I also like the chance to interact with the sculptures: you can crawl into hands, sit on long legs, cross a stream with Teddy Friendly, and look for Little Tilde across a lake. The main drawback is the price, especially for one or two people, and the four-hour schedule allows only about 15 minutes at most stops.

• Six giant sculptures in four hours: See a compact group of Thomas Dambo works west of Copenhagen.
• Made from local discarded materials: Scrap wood, broken pallets, old watermill timber, and cut branches become enormous characters.
• Hands-on art: Crawl into Hill Top Trine’s palms and Sleeping Louis’s mouth, or sit on Thomas on the Mountain’s legs.
• Private transport for up to four: You avoid arranging several out-of-town connections.
• A guide adds the backstory: Vinod has been praised for his care and dedication, while Thomas and his team’s creative process gives the sculptures meaning.
• Weather matters: The tour requires good weather and may be moved or refunded if conditions are poor.

Why These Giants Belong Outside the City Center

You do not visit polished monuments here. You head into the municipalities west of Copenhagen, where woods, lakes, streams, hills, and open grassland provide the setting. The sculptures are spread across Hvidovre, Rødovre, Ishøj, Vallensbæk, Taastrup, and Albertslund.

That distance is part of the appeal. The works were designed to be found in natural areas, not placed in a central square with a plaque and a queue. You get a small sense of discovery at each stop, even with a driver handling the route.

Thomas Dambo and his team build with materials that might otherwise be thrown away. Their work includes wooden figures such as Hector Protector and Troels The Troll, along with pieces made from plastic and cardboard. The six giants on this outing focus mainly on wood, giving them a sturdy, handmade look.

I find the environmental message easy to understand because it is built into the figures themselves. You can see that the sculptures are not pretending to be marble or bronze. They show their construction, their rough surfaces, and their connection to the places around them.

A Private Four-Hour Route West of Copenhagen

The tour begins at 9:00 a.m. and lasts about four hours. Pickup is offered, and the experience includes private transportation, bottled water, and all fees and taxes. Only your own group takes part, with a maximum of four people.

That group size is important. If you are a family of four, the listed price of $935.81 works out to roughly $234 per person. For two people, it is about $468 per person, and for a solo visitor it is a very expensive way to see outdoor sculptures.

The value is strongest when you want convenience. The stops are spread across several municipalities, and some sit in wooded or open areas rather than beside a major central attraction. A private vehicle lets you sit back between stops, and a guide can keep the morning moving.

The schedule is brisk. Five stops are listed at 15 minutes each, while Oscar Under the Bridge gets about 30 minutes. That gives you enough time to see every sculpture, take photographs, and interact with several of them, but not enough for a slow walk or long picnic at each location.

A family of four may find the pace just right. Children can climb, crawl, and search for the figures without spending hours in a museum. If you prefer lingering with a camera or sketchbook, you should know in advance that this is a sampler of six works, not a slow art day.

Hill Top Trine: A View from Hvidovre

The first stop is Hill Top Trine in Hvidovre. She rests on a small hill, with her palms forming a playful place where you can crawl inside and look out over Avedøresletten.

This is a smart opening stop because it introduces the basic idea of the project. The sculpture is not only something to photograph from a path. You become part of the scene by entering her hands and using the height of the hill to look across the open area.

Trine takes her name from a volunteer who worked on another hidden giant. That detail connects the artwork to the people who help make these large projects possible. The figures may look like solitary creatures, but they come from group effort, donated or reclaimed material, and local involvement.

You get about 15 minutes here. Use it for the view first, then the sculpture. If you are bringing children, this is a good place to let them explore the hands while you take a wider photograph showing Trine against the open grassland.

Sleeping Louis and His Giant Mouth

In Rødovre, Sleeping Louis lies on a wooded hill in a quieter place outside Copenhagen. His open mouth is large enough for people to crawl inside, play, or even sleep.

Louis is one of the tour’s most child-friendly stops. The character is immediately clear, and the physical scale makes the sculpture feel more like a play structure than a piece of art behind a barrier. You can expect a quick visit, though the mouth may tempt you to stay longer than the allotted 15 minutes.

The setting matters here. Trees and nature cover the hill, so Louis feels tucked into the place rather than dropped onto it. That is typical of this project: the route asks you to look not only at the giant but also at how he occupies a hill, lake, stream, or wooded patch.

For photography, take a moment to step back before entering. A close view from inside the mouth is fun, but the full figure and wooded setting explain the work better.

Oscar Under the Bridge and the Meaning of Scrap Wood

The third stop, in Ishøj, gives you the longest visit at about 30 minutes. Oscar Under the Bridge is made from scrap wood taken from a demolished watermill and broken pallets from local industries.

That material gives this giant a particularly strong connection to reuse. The wood is not simply old-looking by accident. Its former lives are part of the sculpture’s story, and you can think of the figure as a new use for pieces that had already served another purpose.

Oscar is named after an artist from Chile who visited Thomas and helped during the time the sculpture was being built. This personal link adds another layer to the work. The giant is both a local object and a reminder that creative projects can bring people together across borders.

The bridge setting gives this stop a different mood from the hilltop figures. You have more time here, so listen to the guide’s explanation and examine the construction. If you are interested in Thomas Dambo’s methods, this is likely the stop where the recycled-material idea feels clearest.

Little Tilde Across the Water

Little Tilde lives in Vallensbæk Mose, an area known for wild nature and animal life. She watches from the far side of a small lake, so you catch sight of her at a distance through the trees.

This stop changes the rhythm. You are not climbing directly into the sculpture or sitting on it. Instead, you look across the water and notice how the figure has been placed within the surroundings.

You get about 15 minutes, which is enough for a view and photographs but may feel short if you enjoy wildlife or quiet nature watching. Little Tilde works best as a visual discovery. Look through the trees and across the lake rather than expecting a close-up encounter.

I like this contrast. The tour is not six copies of the same giant with the same activity. Some figures invite physical play, while Little Tilde asks you to pause and search.

Teddy Friendly Helps You Across

Teddy Friendly is made from local scrap wood, including cutoffs from trees that were cut down nearby. His fur uses those natural pieces, giving him a texture that fits the setting.

He stands beside a stream at a lake and holds out his hand to help people cross. The idea is simple and warm. This is a giant built around an act of assistance, not a dramatic pose or a frightening face.

The stop lasts around 15 minutes. You may have time to cross with Teddy’s help, take photographs from the water’s edge, and look closely at the different wood used for his fur. As with any outdoor sculpture, the exact ease of exploring depends on the conditions underfoot, so sensible shoes are a good idea.

The local material is worth noting. Thomas and his team use scrap from the places where the figures are built, which makes each work feel tied to its community instead of mass-produced and shipped in.

Thomas on the Mountain Above Albertslund

The final stop is Thomas on the Mountain in Albertslund. He rests on top of a hill, looking out over the municipality, while his long legs create a place where you can sit with friends.

Ending here makes sense. After several close encounters, you finish with a broad view and a sculpture designed for sitting. The giant is not only something to see. He becomes a perch.

The 15-minute stop should be enough for a photograph, a short rest, and a look across Albertslund. If you enjoy views, this may be one of the more satisfying stops, although Hill Top Trine also offers a clear viewpoint over Avedøresletten.

The route finishes with the same mix that defines the morning: a large figure, a natural setting, and a small invitation to use the sculpture rather than simply observe it.

What the Private Car Adds

The transport is one of the strongest practical reasons to book this experience. You move between six locations without renting a car, checking several routes, or working out how to connect outlying areas by public transport.

The vehicle used on one outing was a clean, comfortable Tesla, and guide Vinod was praised for being dedicated throughout the day. The transport detail matters because four hours can feel rushed if you are also handling navigation. With a private guide and car, you can focus on the figures and the scenery between them.

Pickup is offered, and the meeting information lists a 9:00 a.m. start. The tour is also near public transportation, though the supplied details do not specify the exact pickup point or the public transport route. Confirm those details when booking.

Bottled water is included. Lunch is not, so plan to eat before the start or after the tour. The short stops do not appear designed for a full meal break.

Who Gets the Most from This Tour

I would choose this tour for a family with children, especially if the children enjoy outdoor play more than formal museums. Crawling into a giant’s mouth, sitting on wooden legs, and crossing with Teddy Friendly offer clear physical activities.

It also suits a visitor who has a personal goal of seeing several Thomas Dambo trolls in one trip. The private route lets you check off six sculptures without spending time on car rental details or route planning.

Art fans interested in construction and reuse will find plenty to consider, especially at Oscar Under the Bridge and Teddy Friendly. The guide can add context about Thomas and his team, the volunteers, and the origins of the materials.

I would hesitate if you are on a tight budget, traveling alone, or hoping for a full day of relaxed nature walks. The price is high for a half-day, and the schedule is built around seeing six places efficiently.

Is $935.81 Good Value for Up to Four People?

At first glance, $935.81 is a serious price for four hours. The calculation changes if four people share the vehicle. At full capacity, the cost is about $234 per person, including private transport, bottled water, taxes, and admission, since the sculpture stops are free.

You are paying mainly for the logistics and the private service. The artwork itself does not charge an entrance fee. If you already have a rental car and enjoy planning routes, you could potentially visit outdoor sculptures on your own, though the tour removes that work.

The best value comes from convenience, a small group, and a guide who keeps the route together. The weakest value comes for a solo visitor, since the group price does not shrink to match the number of people.

I would also factor in your time in Copenhagen. If you have only a short stay and want to see these sculptures, the tour covers a lot in one morning. If you have several free days and like independent exploring, the premium may be harder to justify.

Weather, Timing, and Practical Details

This is an outdoor activity, and good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the tour, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

You should plan for uneven outdoor settings, hills, trees, water, and streams. The supplied information says most people can participate, but it does not give detailed accessibility information. If anyone in your group has mobility concerns, ask the provider about each stop before booking.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted.

The tour is private, so you do not share the vehicle with strangers. That gives you more control over conversation and family needs, although the six-stop route still has a fixed overall structure.

Should You Book The Forgotten Giants Private Tour?

Book it if you want six playful outdoor sculptures, private transport, and a guide-led route without the work of finding each location. Families, Thomas Dambo fans, and visitors who value comfort over low cost will get the most from it.

Think twice if you are traveling alone, watching your spending, or prefer to spend an hour at each sculpture. The short visits and high group price are real limitations.

For a group of four, the tour is easier to justify. You get a focused half-day with hands-on art, local recycled materials, hilltop views, wooded settings, and a comfortable ride between far-flung stops. Just leave room in your plans for weather and remember that lunch is not included.

FAQ

How long does The Forgotten Giants Private Tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours and starts at 9:00 a.m.

How many people can join the private tour?

The listed price covers one private group of up to four people. Only your group participates.

Does the tour include transportation?

Yes. Private transportation and bottled water are included, and pickup is offered.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes. All fees and taxes are included. Each sculpture stop is listed as having free admission.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.