The Six Forgotten Giants Trolls Hunt with Minibus

Copenhagen’s Six Forgotten Giants tour trades royal palaces for wooden trolls tucked into parks, lakesides, hills, and suburban nature areas. You ride a small minibus from the city to six large sculptures by Danish artist Thomas Dambo, then walk out to each one. The art is playful, but the settings are the real surprise.

I like two things right away: the small group of up to eight keeps the outing friendly and easy to manage, and the tour gets you beyond Copenhagen’s center without making you plan a complicated self-drive route. Guides such as Vinod and Vino add stories about the sculptures and the artist. The main drawback is price: at $129.59 per person, you are paying for transport and guiding more than admission, since all six sites are free.

Key points to know before booking

• Six original wooden giants: Visit Hill Top Trine, Sleeping Louis, Oscar under the Bridge, Little Tilde, Teddy Friendly, and Thomas on the Mountain.
• A true half-day outing: The tour runs about four hours, usually from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with driving between the sites and walks to the sculptures.
• Small, comfortable transport: The minibus holds no more than eight people and may include air conditioning and Wi-Fi.
• Easy walks, but not no walking: Several statues require roughly 10 to 15 minutes each way from the parking area.
• Best for art and fresh air: You get local scenery, nature preserves, and unusual public art rather than standard city sights.
• Bring water and sun protection: Water is not supplied, and you can spend about three and a half hours outdoors.

Why these six trolls make a good Copenhagen side trip

Thomas Dambo’s giants are built from reused wood and placed in outdoor areas around greater Copenhagen. They are not lined up in a museum or a central square. You find them in places where you might not otherwise go: beside a stream, across a lake, under a bridge, or on top of a grassy hill.

That setup gives the tour its charm. You are not just looking at six statues from a pavement. You are following clues through suburban nature areas, walking along paths, and seeing how each giant fits its setting. Some are easy to reach. Others take a little more effort, which makes the discovery feel earned.

I also like the scale of the sculptures. These are not small garden figures. You can sit on Thomas on the Mountain’s legs, crawl into Sleeping Louis’s mouth, or climb into the palms of Hill Top Trine. The result is especially good for families, couples, and anyone who likes public art with a playful edge.

The tour is also a useful choice if you do not have a car. You could visit the sculptures independently with a rental car and an online map, but that means handling directions, parking, route planning, and the gaps between sites yourself. The guided minibus removes that work and gives you a host who can explain what you are seeing.

Leaving Copenhagen in a small minibus

The meeting point is CPH Tours & Tickets at Colbjørnsensgade 15, near Copenhagen’s central transport network. The scheduled start is 10 a.m., and the activity returns to the same meeting point after the final stop.

The driving time between many stops is only about five to ten minutes, so the day does not feel like one long road trip. You get a look at the suburbs and open areas outside the center, then step out for a walk and a sculpture. One practical advantage of the minibus is its size. With a maximum of eight people, the group is far less cumbersome than a large coach tour.

The vehicle has been described as clean, comfortable, air-conditioned, and equipped with Wi-Fi. Those details matter more than they might sound. You will be getting in and out several times, so a comfortable ride gives you a useful break between walks.

This is not a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing route. The guide drives the group from place to place and generally walks with you to the sculptures. Vinod, also referred to as Vino, has been praised for his humor, organization, and understanding of Dambo’s work. The tour is also operated by the owner, which can give the outing a more personal feel.

Hill Top Trine in Hvidovre

The first stop brings you to Hvidovre, where Hill Top Trine sits on a small hill overlooking Avedøresletten. Her position gives this opening stop a clear purpose: you get a view as well as a giant.

Trine is named after one of the volunteers who helped with another of the hidden giants. You can crawl into her hands, which makes the sculpture easy to experience rather than simply photograph. For families, this is a good introduction because the statue invites movement and play.

The hill is not described as difficult, but outdoor conditions matter. Wet weather can make any grassy slope less pleasant, and the tour operator notes that the activity depends on good weather. Give yourself time for photos here. The view is part of the point, and you do not want to rush straight back to the minibus.

Sleeping Louis in Rødovre

Sleeping Louis rests on a wooded hill in Rødovre. This stop feels more tucked away than the open view at Trine. The giant is covered by trees and nature, and his wide-open mouth creates one of the tour’s most memorable photo opportunities.

You can crawl inside his mouth, play there, or even lie down inside the sculpture. That makes Louis one of the most interactive stops. It is also the sort of place where sturdy shoes help, since the route is outdoors and may include a short walk over uneven ground.

The contrast between the giant and his quiet setting is what makes this stop work. You are in a leafy area outside the city, then suddenly come upon a huge wooden figure taking a nap. The tour is at its best when it lets you pause and enjoy that odd little moment rather than treating each stop as a quick photo check.

Oscar under the Bridge in Ishøj

The sculpture at Ishøj is built from scrap wood taken from a demolished watermill and broken pallets from local industries. That material gives the work a direct connection to reuse and local industry, which is central to the appeal of Dambo’s giants.

The name refers to an artist from Chile who visited Thomas Dambo and helped during the building process. This detail gives the guide something useful to explain beyond the basic facts of size and location. You begin to see the giants as community projects made with found materials and volunteer help, not just as oversized decorations.

The bridge setting gives this stop a different mood from the hilltop statues. It is less about a broad view and more about the way the sculpture occupies an overlooked piece of infrastructure. If you enjoy street art, recycled materials, or public projects with a local connection, this may be one of your favorite stops.

Little Tilde at Vallensbæk Mose

Little Tilde is in Vallensbæk Mose, an area of wild nature and animal life. She watches through the trees from the far side of a small lake, so you see her at a distance rather than walking directly up to her.

That distance is an important part of the experience. Some sculptures are designed for climbing and sitting. Tilde asks you to look across the water and spot her among the trees. She feels more like a creature discovered in the countryside than an object placed for display.

You should be ready for an outdoor walk here, and you may want a camera with a useful zoom. The information provided does not promise close access, so do not book this stop expecting to climb every giant. The variety is welcome. Six statues with the same viewing style would grow repetitive, while Tilde changes the pace.

Teddy Friendly near the water

Teddy Friendly is made from local scrapwood, including cut pieces from trees that were cut down nearby. He stands beside a water stream and reaches out a hand to help people cross.

This is another strong example of the artist fitting the sculpture to its surroundings. Teddy is not simply placed beside a path. His pose turns the stream into part of the encounter. You get a statue, a little bit of play, and a reason to pay attention to the water and the route around it.

The stop also reinforces the recycled nature of the project. The wood is not treated as an abstract artistic material. It comes from local sources and former working places, then finds another life as a giant figure. That is a good point to listen for if your interest is in environmental art.

Thomas on the Mountain in Albertslund

The final giant is Thomas on the Mountain, resting on a hill in Albertslund. From his position, you get a view over the municipality, and his long legs make a natural place to sit with friends.

Ending on a hill gives the route a pleasant finish. After several woodland, bridge, and lakeside settings, you get one last wide view and a chance to sit down. The sculpture is named for the artist himself, so this final stop also feels like a fitting signature.

The walk to Thomas may be the most demanding part if the ground is wet or you are not used to hills. It is still described as manageable for most people, but the tour is not suited to anyone who needs completely level, step-free access. The experience includes outdoor paths and some walks of 10 to 15 minutes each way.

How much walking should you expect?

The tour is often described as easy to moderate, but the exact effort depends on weather and your pace. Several sites are about 10 minutes from the parking area, and one detailed account noted walks of around 10 to 15 minutes each way at some locations.

That means you should wear comfortable shoes and bring water. You will not be walking continuously for four hours, since the minibus links the sites, but you will spend much of the morning outside. A bathroom break is included between the stops, which is useful on a route spread across several municipalities.

I would not choose this outing if you want a fully vehicle-based tour. I would choose it if you like a gentle active day with regular breaks. People with limited or restricted mobility may find some paths difficult, especially at the hill and nature locations.

Is $129.59 a fair price?

The six sculptures themselves have no admission charge. That makes the price look high if you compare it with a self-guided drive. If you already have a rental car, can use an online map, and do not need commentary, visiting independently will likely cost less.

The guided option earns its price through convenience. You get private transportation, a fixed route to all six giants, a small group, and a guide who can explain the artist, materials, names, and local settings. You also avoid arranging six separate stops outside Copenhagen.

The value is best for solo visitors, couples without a car, and families who prefer someone else to handle the route. It is less convincing for a group that already has a vehicle and enjoys planning its own day. Since the tour usually sells around 55 days ahead, booking early makes sense if your dates are fixed.

What to bring for a comfortable morning

You should bring:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Water, since it is not provided onboard
• Sunscreen, especially for summer departures
• A camera or phone with enough storage for six very different settings
• Weather-appropriate clothing

The tour requires good weather and may be canceled if conditions are poor. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Confirmation is provided when you book, and most people can take part, but the outdoor walking still deserves honest consideration.

Who will enjoy this troll hunt most?

I would recommend this tour to anyone who wants a break from Copenhagen’s center and likes art that you can touch, climb around, and photograph. Families have plenty to do at the interactive sculptures, while solo visitors get an easy way to meet a small group and see places that are awkward to reach alone.

It also suits people who enjoy the mix of art and nature. You move from hills to woods, a bridge, a lake, a stream, and open views. The sculptures are the reason for the trip, but the changing settings keep the four hours from feeling like a simple statue checklist.

I would be more cautious if you have limited mobility, dislike walking on outdoor paths, or expect a polished city sightseeing tour. The price may also feel steep if you already have access to a car. For everyone else, the small van, short drives, and unrushed stops create a pleasant half-day plan.

Should you book the Six Forgotten Giants tour?

Book it if you want an easy, guided route to unusual public art outside Copenhagen, especially if you do not have a car. The strongest parts are the small group, the comfortable minibus, the stories from guides such as Vinod or Vino, and the chance to see each giant in a different natural setting.

Skip it if your main goal is the lowest possible cost or if you would rather explore independently. The sculptures are free, and a rental car can reduce the price. Still, you will need to plan the route yourself.

For most visitors who like playful art, fresh air, and a little walking, this is a memorable use of half a day. Bring water, wear good shoes, and leave room in your camera roll.

FAQ

Where does the Six Forgotten Giants tour start?

It starts at CPH Tours & Tickets, Colbjørnsensgade 15, 1652 København, Denmark.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 10 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts approximately four hours. It commonly runs from about 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

How many people can join the minibus?

The tour has a maximum of eight participants.

Does the tour include transportation?

Yes. Private transportation and all fees and taxes are included. The activity ends back at the original meeting point.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You should bring water or buy some before departure, since water is not provided onboard.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.