The Six Forgotten Giants Trolls Hunt with Minibus

The best thing about this Copenhagen outing is its mix of giant wooden sculptures and quiet nature. Instead of spending another half-day among city streets, you ride into the western suburbs and hunt for six playful trolls hidden around lakes, hills, woods, and streams. Guide and owner Vinod has led many departures, and his humor and stories about artist Thomas Dambo add life to the drive.

I like the small minibus, which keeps the group to a maximum of eight, and the relaxed pace. You get about 30 minutes at each troll, with short drives between most stops. The main catch is the price, $129.59 per person, since you are paying mainly for transport and guiding. If you have a rental car, you can visit the sculptures more cheaply on your own.

Six trolls, six different outdoor settings

• Hilltop Trine gives you a hand-sized viewpoint: Crawl into her palms and look across Avedøresletten.
• Sleeping Louis invites you inside: His open mouth is large enough for sitting, playing, or taking a brief rest.
• Oscar under the bridge uses reclaimed wood: Scrapwood, broken pallets, and a local story shape this unusual sculpture.
• Little Tilde makes you look across the water: She watches from the far side of a small lake in Vallensbæk Mose.
• Teddy Friendly reaches across a stream: His outstretched hand helps create a playful bridge-like scene.
• Thomas on the Mountain rewards the uphill walk: His long legs make a perch, with broad views over Albertslund.

Why this half-day trip works

The Six Forgotten Giants are not lined up in a sculpture park. They are scattered across the western Copenhagen suburbs, often in spots you would not find by accident. The tour solves the transport problem with a private minibus, then gets you out for short walks to each one.

That matters because the appeal is not just the woodwork. Each troll has a setting that changes the mood. One sits on a hill, another sleeps under trees, another watches from across a lake. You are seeing public art as part of the place around it, not as isolated objects behind a museum rope.

The timing is sensible. The tour begins at 10 a.m. at CPH Tours & Tickets on Colbjørnsensgade 15 and returns there around 2 p.m. The published duration is about four hours, although the full outing can take closer to four or five hours once driving and walking are counted. You are not rushed from one statue to the next. Most stops allow about 30 minutes, while drives between many of them take only five to ten minutes.

The group limit of eight is one of the strongest features. A large coach would make this sort of stop-and-walk route clumsy. In a small van, you spend less time loading and unloading, and it is easier to hear Vinod while he explains the art.

The minibus has been described as clean and air-conditioned, with Wi-Fi available on board. Those touches matter on a route with six separate stops. You can cool off between walks, check directions, or simply rest your feet.

Stop one: Hill Top Trine in Hvidovre

Your first troll is Hill Top Trine, resting on a small hill in Hvidovre. Her most appealing feature is practical as well as playful: you can crawl into the palms of her hands for a view over Avedøresletten.

This is a good opening stop because it introduces the basic idea behind the project. The trolls are oversized, approachable, and made for people to interact with. You are not standing at a distance trying to frame a photograph. You can climb into the sculpture and use it as part of the scene.

The hilltop setting also gives this stop a little more room than a statue placed beside a road. Allow about 30 minutes, enough to walk up, take photos, and look out over the open area. The slope is not described as the hardest walk on the route, but comfortable shoes still make sense.

Stop two: Sleeping Louis in Rødovre

Sleeping Louis lies on a wooded hill in Rødovre, in a quiet natural spot outside Copenhagen. His open mouth is the main attraction. You can crawl inside, sit, play, or even stretch out for a short rest.

This is probably the most immediately amusing stop for families. It also makes clear why children and playful adults will get more from these sculptures than visitors looking for formal public art. The scale is made for participation.

The trees and hill give Louis a sheltered feel, but the walk can still be uneven in places. You may spend less time studying the construction than clambering around the statue and taking pictures from different angles. That is part of the point. The tour treats the trolls as an outdoor adventure, not a lecture with six fixed viewing platforms.

Stop three: Oscar under the bridge in Ishøj

The third stop has a rougher, more industrial character. Oscar under the bridge was built from scrapwood taken from a demolished watermill and broken pallets from local industries. He was named after a Chilean artist who visited Thomas Dambo and helped during the sculpture’s construction.

This stop adds useful context to the whole project. The wood is not polished into a perfect museum object. Its reused materials connect the troll to local work, demolition, and the idea that discarded things can become art.

The bridge setting also gives Oscar a different feel from the hilltop figures. You are seeing how a sculpture can fit into an ordinary piece of infrastructure and change the way you notice it. The walk is generally manageable, though some stops on this route require around ten to fifteen minutes each way from the parking area.

If you care about how public art is made, listen closely here. The construction story gives Vinod something worthwhile to explain, and it helps you see beyond the obvious giant face and limbs.

Stop four: Little Tilde at Vallensbæk Mose

Little Tilde is in Vallensbæk Mose, an area of wild plants, animal life, and small lakes. She watches from the other side of a lake, partly screened by trees, so you first catch a glimpse of her at a distance.

This is less of a climb-in-and-play stop. The fun comes from finding her through the trees and seeing how the sculpture works with the water and open space around it. Bring a camera with a zoom lens if you have one, although the view is still worthwhile without it.

The distance is also a useful reminder that the tour involves some walking and not every troll is right beside the minibus. You are exploring nature areas, not simply stepping out for a quick roadside photograph. In good weather, that is a major part of the appeal. In rain or strong wind, it can make the outing less pleasant.

Stop five: Teddy Friendly in Taastrup

Teddy Friendly is made from local scrapwood, including cut pieces from local trees. He reaches one hand toward people crossing near a stream and lake, creating the impression that he is helping you over.

The sculpture’s story fits its name. Teddy feels more welcoming than mysterious, and the setting gives you a chance to pause beside the water. The wood used for his fur also reinforces Dambo’s habit of working with available, reused materials rather than relying on a uniform look.

This is another stop where the route and the artwork belong together. The stream is not just a backdrop for a photo. It explains Teddy’s pose and gives the sculpture a job within the scene. You might find the walking surface damp or uneven, so wear shoes you can comfortably use outdoors.

Stop six: Thomas on the Mountain in Albertslund

The final troll, Thomas on the Mountain, rests on top of a hill in Albertslund. From his position, he has a broad view across the municipality, and you can sit between his long legs with friends.

Ending here makes sense. After several short walks, you get a hilltop pause and a wide view. The statue is both a lookout and a seat, which keeps the playful spirit going to the end.

This may be the most physically demanding walk, especially in wet weather. One uphill section has been described as more challenging during poor conditions. It is not a strenuous hiking day, but you should not treat it as a fully step-free sightseeing tour.

The walking is easy for most people, but not effortless

The tour involves six walks from parking areas to outdoor sculptures. Several are usually around ten minutes each way, while some can reach fifteen minutes each way. The route has also included a bathroom break, but you should use facilities when available and not count on a full-service stop at every location.

I would bring:

• Comfortable walking shoes with a firm sole
• Water, since it is not provided on the minibus
• Sunscreen, especially in summer
• A light rain layer if the forecast is uncertain
• A phone or camera with enough battery for six photo stops

The tour requires good weather. If conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy is useful, but you should still plan some flexibility into your schedule.

People with limited or restricted mobility should think carefully before booking. The outdoor paths, hills, and uneven ground may make the route difficult. The tour information says most people can participate, but that does not mean every stop is suitable for every mobility level.

What you are paying for at $129.59

At $129.59 per person, this is not a cheap sightseeing add-on. The six sculptures themselves have no admission charge, and you could potentially reach them by rental car with an online map.

The price makes more sense if you do not have a car, do not want to work out a route through six suburban municipalities, or prefer to let someone else drive. You also get private transportation, taxes and fees, a small group, and a guide who can explain Dambo’s work and the stories behind individual sculptures.

The value is convenience plus interpretation. You avoid navigation, parking research, and the problem of fitting six far-flung stops into one morning. Vinod has also been praised for his humor, local information, and ability to walk with the group to the statues rather than simply dropping people off.

If you already have a rental car and enjoy planning your own route, the tour is harder to justify. You would give up the guide’s stories, but you could control the timing and spend less. If you are visiting Copenhagen without a car, the minibus is the main reason to consider this experience.

Who will enjoy the troll hunt most

I would recommend this outing to families, couples, solo visitors, and small groups of friends who like art with a playful edge. The sculptures are large, tactile, and easy to photograph. Children can crawl into some of them, while adults get a pleasant break from indoor sightseeing.

It also suits anyone who wants to see more than central Copenhagen. The route takes you through Hvidovre, Rødovre, Ishøj, Vallensbæk, Taastrup, and Albertslund. You get fresh air, open views, wooded areas, lakes, and suburban spaces that most short city visits skip.

Art lovers should know that this is not a formal art-history tour. The focus is on the sculptures, their materials, their names, and the places they occupy. That makes it accessible, but anyone seeking a detailed academic discussion may find the format light.

The experience is less suitable for someone who dislikes walking, wants a tightly scheduled city tour, or needs guaranteed accessibility at every stop. It is also a poor fit if you have only a few hours in Copenhagen and want to stay near the center.

Booking details that matter

The meeting point is CPH Tours & Tickets at Colbjørnsensgade 15, 1652 Copenhagen, with a 10 a.m. start. The location is near public transportation, so you do not need a private car just to reach the departure point.

A mobile ticket is accepted, and the tour is offered in English. Confirmation arrives at booking, and the maximum group size is eight. Lunch is not included, so eat beforehand or plan to buy something before departure. Bring your own water as well.

Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The tour can also be canceled if the minimum number of people is not reached.

Should you book the Six Forgotten Giants tour?

Book it if you want a simple, social way to reach six unusual sculptures outside Copenhagen and you do not have a car. The small van, short transfer times, relaxed 30-minute stops, and Vinod’s guiding make the route easy to manage. You will get art, views, light walking, and a few good laughs without spending the day organizing suburban transport.

Skip it if you already have a rental car or are very price-conscious. The sculptures are free, and a self-guided route can cost less. For everyone else, the $129.59 is a fair convenience charge, provided you are ready for outdoor walking and variable weather.

FAQ

Where does the Six Forgotten Giants tour begin?

It begins at CPH Tours & Tickets, Colbjørnsensgade 15, 1652 Copenhagen, Denmark.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 10 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours. Driving and walking can make the full outing closer to four or five hours.

How many trolls will I see?

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

Is transportation included?

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

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so you should eat before departure or make your own food plans.

How large is the group?

The tour has a maximum of eight participants.

Is the tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

The tour information says most people can participate, but some locations require ten to fifteen minutes of walking each way, and one hill may be challenging in poor weather. It may not suit people with limited or restricted mobility.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants can also lead to a different date or a full refund.