Copenhagen: The Six Forgotten Giants Hunt and Nature Walk

The most unusual thing about this Copenhagen outing is that the art is not in a gallery. Thomas Dambo’s six huge wooden figures are scattered across parks, hills, woods, and a spot beneath a bridge. You ride from place to place, then follow paths to find each one, making the day part art visit and part open-air treasure hunt.

I like the small group of no more than six people, which gives Milad Shekhzada time to answer questions and keep an eye on the pace. I also like the chance to see a quieter side of Zealand, with fresh air, short walks, and photo stops instead of another round of city streets and indoor sights.

The main consideration is walking. None of the routes is described as strenuous, but you will walk at several stops, and the tour may not suit anyone with walking difficulties. At $137 per person, the price is fair if you value private transport and expert navigation, but less appealing if you have access to a car and want to search for only one or two giants.

Six details that shape the day

• Six sculptures, six different settings: Find Sleeping Louis, Hilltop Trine, Oscar Under The Bridge, Thomas on the Mountain, Little Tilde, and Teddy Friendly.
• A four-hour escape from central Copenhagen: A roughly 25-minute drive gets you away from the city, then the tour moves between widely spaced sculpture sites.
• A real small-group experience: The van carries up to six participants, so conversation and personal attention come naturally.
• Milad leads the hunt: He explains Thomas Dambo’s work, talks about Denmark, and helps you locate sculptures that can be difficult to find alone.
• Coffee and snacks are built into the rhythm: Bring your own water and food, but expect a simple break with coffee, tea, biscuits, or similar snacks.
• Weather matters: Comfortable shoes, rain gear, an umbrella, and layers are sensible for Denmark’s changeable conditions.

Why these giants are worth leaving Copenhagen for

Thomas Dambo builds large public sculptures from recycled materials, and the Forgotten Giants turn a simple art visit into a physical search. You do not just arrive at a museum entrance, read a label, and move on. You walk through a park or along a path, keep watch for a massive wooden body, and then see how the setting changes the mood of the sculpture.

The six figures are spread across the Zealand Region rather than gathered in one park. That spacing is the reason this tour works well by private vehicle. Trying to visit all six alone would require planning several routes and locating the final paths. Milad’s role is not only to drive, but to make the search efficient.

The settings are part of the appeal. One giant may be lying on a hillside with a broad view, another may be among trees, and Oscar is positioned under a bridge. The contrast keeps the outing fresh. You get woods, open views, water, and built spaces, with each stop offering a different photo.

I would not choose this as a replacement for Copenhagen’s major museums or historic sights. Choose it as a change of pace. After a few days of palaces, canals, and city walking, four hours outdoors can reset your trip.

Meeting Milad and leaving the city

The meeting point is outside the YMCA Interpoint Hostel. After a short introduction, you join the small group and set off in private transport. The drive to the first area takes about 25 minutes, giving Milad time to explain the plan and talk about the artist and local life.

The private vehicle is a major part of the value. The sculptures are not close together, and public transport would make a six-stop hunt harder to manage within four hours. A car also saves you from spending your limited holiday time changing routes between distant areas.

Milad’s style is described as friendly, attentive, and relaxed. He does more than give a short speech at each stop. He talks with people one at a time, answers questions, and checks that everyone is comfortable with the walking pace. That matters in a group with different ages and energy levels.

The van is also useful for solo visitors. A group of six feels social without becoming anonymous, and the compact size makes it easier to chat with the guide and the other people on the outing.

Sleeping Louis, Hilltop Trine, and Oscar Under The Bridge

The first three giants introduce the variety of the hunt.

Sleeping Louis is likely to be the most playful opening stop. The name gives you a clear idea of the pose, but the fun comes from seeing a giant figure resting in a natural setting rather than standing like a formal monument. Bring a phone or camera. The scale of the sculpture works best in photos that include people nearby.

Hilltop Trine adds a view. This is the stop for looking beyond the sculpture and noticing the surrounding countryside. The climb or walk to the figure gives the first part of the tour a bit of exercise, though the routes are generally described as moderate rather than hard.

Oscar Under The Bridge changes the mood. A bridge is an unexpected home for a giant wooden troll, and the setting creates a more enclosed, surprising encounter. This is the sort of stop that is easy to miss if you do not know the local paths.

The exact walking distance at each location can vary, so wear shoes with a good grip. You should also expect uneven ground, paths, or grass rather than a fully paved route at every stop. The tour information specifically advises comfortable shoes and weather-ready clothing.

The coffee break by the water

A short break comes after the first part of the hunt. Depending on the day’s route, this may be beside a lake or in a park, giving you a chance to sit, drink something warm, and catch your breath.

This pause is more useful than it sounds. Four hours of driving, walking, photo stops, and conversation can feel busy, especially in damp or cool weather. Milad has been praised for bringing coffee, tea, water, biscuits, and snacks on some outings, but you should still bring your own water and food.

You can bring snacks and drinks with you. There are no meals included, so do not treat the coffee break as lunch. A small packed snack will help if you are prone to getting hungry after walking outdoors.

The break also gives the group a natural social moment. This is not a silent sightseeing circuit. You have time to compare photos, ask Milad about Thomas Dambo, and chat with the people sharing the van.

Thomas on the Mountain and Little Tilde

The second half continues with Thomas on the Mountain and Little Tilde. Thomas on the Mountain uses height to its advantage, making the walk and viewpoint part of the encounter. The name points to a giant with a high position, so expect another stop where the setting matters as much as the woodwork.

Little Tilde provides a softer change of tone. The figure is presented as the cutest of the six, and its smaller character makes it a natural favorite for close photos. Do not assume smaller means less interesting. The charm of these sculptures comes from their personalities, poses, and surroundings, not just their size.

This section is also where the tour may feel most like a nature walk. Trees, paths, open areas, and local wildlife form the backdrop. You are not promised a wilderness expedition, but you will spend real time outdoors in places most short Copenhagen itineraries skip.

One practical point: the full set may feel long for some people. A four-star assessment from one participant suggested that the middle four giants were enough for one day and that the final two could have been skipped. That is a fair warning if you prefer a shorter outing. The advantage of completing all six is that you see the full project and do not have to wonder what you missed.

Teddy Friendly and the final stretch

Teddy Friendly completes the six. The name sets up a warm, approachable finish, and the sculpture gives you one last chance for photos and a close look at Dambo’s recycled-material style.

By this stage, the day’s value becomes clear. You have not simply viewed six objects from a roadside. You have reached them on foot, seen them in different settings, and learned how the artist uses public spaces to encourage people to explore.

The timing is also sensible for a half-day activity. Four hours is long enough to visit all six and include driving and a break, but short enough to leave room for an afternoon in Copenhagen. You should not expect a leisurely schedule at every stop. The group needs to keep moving because the figures are spread out.

The guide’s pace helps here. Milad has been described as patient with slower walkers and willing to make sure people are comfortable. That does not remove the need for reasonable fitness, but it makes the outing more manageable than a self-guided race between six locations.

What the $137 price actually covers

At $137 per person, this is not a cheap park visit. The price makes more sense when you count what is included: an English-speaking live guide, private transportation, a four-hour route, and a coffee break.

The largest saving is time. You avoid working out how to connect six separate sites, and you do not have to search for the sculptures on your own. Several of the giants are in places that can be difficult to locate without local knowledge.

The small group matters, too. With a maximum of six participants, you get a more personal outing than a large coach trip. Milad can answer individual questions, take photos for you, and adjust attention among the people in the group.

I would call the tour good value for three types of people: solo visitors without a car, couples who want a guided outdoor activity, and anyone who wants all six giants in one morning or afternoon. If you are comfortable driving in Denmark and only want to see one sculpture, the price is harder to justify.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking add useful flexibility. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule before planning the rest of your day.

Walking, weather, and what to pack

The walking is moderate, but it is spread across several stops. You will get in and out of the vehicle, follow paths, climb or walk through natural areas, and pause for pictures. The activity is listed as suitable for all age groups, but unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

Wear comfortable shoes that can handle damp ground. Pack an umbrella, rain gear, water, snacks, and comfortable clothing suited to the forecast. Denmark’s weather can change during a single outing, so layers are more useful than relying on a perfect forecast.

You should also leave room in your plan for slower walking if someone in the group needs it. The guide has accommodated different paces, but the tour still has six locations to cover in four hours.

A camera is worthwhile, though your phone is enough. The sculptures are large, and the best pictures usually show the figure in its surroundings. Ask Milad to take a photo if you want everyone in the group included.

Who should book the Forgotten Giants hunt

I would choose this tour if you like public art, walking, photography, and unusual places. It is especially good for anyone who has already seen Copenhagen’s central sights and wants a half-day beyond the usual route.

It also suits solo visitors. The small group gives you company without the forced feel of a large organized excursion. Couples and families can enjoy it too, provided everyone can manage moderate walking and unpredictable weather.

This is not the right pick if you want a fully urban tour, a long meal, or a museum-style explanation of art. It is also not ideal for anyone with significant walking limitations. The vehicle reduces the distances between sites, but it does not remove the walking at each giant.

The English tour depends heavily on the guide, and that is a strength here. Milad Shekhzada brings local context, explains Dambo’s environmental ideas, and helps turn the route into a shared experience rather than a simple transfer service.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want to see all six Forgotten Giants without renting a car or spending hours planning routes. The best reasons are the small group, private transport, the changing natural settings, and Milad’s personal attention.

Think twice if $137 feels high for a half-day or if you only want one troll photo. For most visitors who enjoy the outdoors, though, the price buys convenience and access to a side of Copenhagen you are unlikely to reach by staying in the center. Pack good shoes, accept that rain is possible, and treat the day as a playful art hunt with a bit of exercise.

FAQ

How long does the Six Forgotten Giants hunt last?

The experience lasts four hours, including private transport, walking between the vehicle and the sculptures, photo stops, and a short coffee break.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet outside the YMCA Interpoint Hostel in Copenhagen.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to six participants, in addition to the guide.

Who guides the experience?

The experience provider and guide is Milad Shekhzada. The tour is conducted in English.

Which giants will I see?

The route visits Sleeping Louis, Hilltop Trine, Oscar Under The Bridge, Thomas on the Mountain, Little Tilde, and Teddy Friendly.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Private transportation between the sculpture locations is included. The initial drive to the destination takes about 25 minutes.

Is food included?

Meals are not included. A coffee break is provided, and you can bring your own snacks and drinks.

What should I bring?

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