Copenhagen: The Six Forgotten Giants Hunt and Nature Walk

The best thing about this Copenhagen excursion is that the art is not behind glass. Thomas Dambo’s huge wooden trolls hide in forests, parks, hills, and under bridges outside the city, turning a sightseeing day into a real treasure hunt. You travel between them in a private vehicle, then walk through quiet parts of Zealand to find each one.

I like the small group of no more than six and the way guide Milad Shekhzada treats the outing as a shared walk rather than a lecture. I also like the mix of art and fresh air: you get six striking photo stops, plus a look at parts of Copenhagen most short city breaks miss.

The main consideration is the walking. The paths are described as moderate rather than strenuous, but six stops spread across several outdoor sites still require steady movement. Rain, wind, mud, or uneven ground can change the feel of the day, so good shoes and proper Danish weather gear matter.

Key points at a glance

• Six original troll stops: See Sleeping Louis, Hilltop Trine, Oscar Under The Bridge, Thomas on the Mountain, Little Tilde, and Teddy Friendly.
• A practical way to see them: Private transport links sites that would be awkward to reach in one short outing by public transport.
• A genuinely small group: The vehicle and walking group are limited to six participants, allowing plenty of conversation with Milad.
• More than sculpture viewing: The tour combines open-air art, wooded paths, hills, parks, wildlife, and views beyond central Copenhagen.
• A welcome mid-tour pause: A coffee break is included, and Milad has provided tea, coffee, snacks, and biscuits on some outings.
• Plan for the weather: Bring water, snacks, comfortable shoes, an umbrella, rain gear, and clothing suited to changing Danish conditions.

Why these giant trolls are worth leaving Copenhagen for

Thomas Dambo’s Forgotten Giants are large wooden sculptures made from recycled materials. Their scale gives them an instant storybook appeal, but the setting is just as important as the carving. One giant may lie under a bridge, another may sit on a hill, and another may be partly tucked among trees.

That placement changes the experience. You are not simply moving from one statue to the next. You are following clues through outdoor spaces, looking around corners and along paths until a giant appears. The hunt gives children something to do, while adults get an unusual look at public art and the Danish countryside.

The six works on this route are Sleeping Louis, Hilltop Trine, Oscar Under The Bridge, Thomas on the Mountain, Little Tilde, and Teddy Friendly. Each has a different setting and personality. The names help make the sculptures memorable, and they give Milad a natural way to explain the artist’s approach.

I especially like the idea behind the project. Recycled wood becomes playful public art, and the sculptures draw people to places that are not usually on a first-time Copenhagen itinerary. You get a break from palaces, museums, and busy shopping streets without giving up the pleasure of seeing something carefully planned and visually memorable.

Meeting Milad and getting out of the city

The meeting point is outside the YMCA Interpoint Hostel. After a short introduction, you join the small group and set off by private transport. The initial drive takes about 25 minutes, and the vehicle continues to connect the separate sculpture sites during the outing.

That arrangement is the key practical advantage. Finding all six on your own would require careful route planning, a car or several public transport connections, and time spent locating sculptures in parks or wooded areas. The sites are spread out, and some are not obvious from the road. Milad’s local knowledge saves you that searching time.

The small vehicle also shapes the mood. With no more than six participants, you are not lost in a crowd, and it is easy to ask questions during the drive. Milad has been praised for talking about Danish culture and daily life as well as Dambo’s work. He also makes a point of checking that everyone is comfortable and walking at a reasonable pace.

That personal attention matters if you are traveling alone or with a mixed-age group. The tour has included solo participants, couples, families, and older walkers. It is still an active outing, but the pace can be adjusted more easily than on a large coach tour.

Sleeping Louis and Hilltop Trine begin the hunt

The first two stops introduce the basic pattern: ride to an outdoor site, leave the vehicle, and follow a path to a giant. Sleeping Louis is presented as a giant at rest, while Hilltop Trine rewards you with a higher viewpoint.

The appeal of Sleeping Louis is the surprise of seeing a huge figure in an otherwise ordinary natural setting. You may find yourself checking the trees and open ground before the sculpture comes fully into view. This is the part that feels most like a treasure hunt.

Hilltop Trine adds a change in height and gives the group one of the tour’s broader views. The climb is not described as strenuous, but it is still a climb, and the ground may feel different after rain. Wear shoes with a firm sole rather than smooth city trainers.

These early stops also help you judge the physical side of the tour. The walks are short enough for regular pauses, but they are repeated throughout the day. If you have trouble with hills, uneven paths, or standing for periods, ask about your needs before booking.

Oscar Under The Bridge and the coffee pause

Oscar Under The Bridge uses its setting for a different kind of reveal. The sculpture is associated with surprise, and the bridge gives the stop a more enclosed, playful feeling than the open hilltop. It is a good example of why seeing these works in person is different from looking at photos.

After the first part of the hunt, the group takes a coffee break. Coffee is included, and Milad has also been seen bringing tea, biscuits, and other snacks. You can bring your own food and drinks as well, which is useful if you need something more substantial than a short refreshment stop.

This pause is not a minor detail. Four hours of driving, walking, picture-taking, and outdoor sightseeing can feel longer without a chance to sit down. The break divides the excursion into two manageable halves and gives the group time to talk.

Bring water even though refreshments are part of the experience. Meals are not included, and the supplied information specifically recommends snacks. If you are sensitive to caffeine or have dietary needs, your own food is the safer choice.

Thomas on the Mountain and the best walking section

The second half begins with Thomas on the Mountain, whose setting gives the sculpture a clear height advantage. The name fits the playful spirit of the project, while the elevated position makes the stop feel different from Oscar under the bridge.

This section is likely to appeal most if you enjoy walking for its own sake. Several participants have singled out the paths, views, woods, and countryside as a major part of the outing. The giants provide the goal, but the route between them gives you the chance to stretch your legs and see a quieter side of Zealand.

The scenery changes from one stop to the next. You may walk beside trees, through parkland, across open ground, or toward a hill. The exact feel depends on the weather and season, so do not treat this as a polished urban walk. It is an outdoor activity, with all the uneven surfaces and changing conditions that implies.

Milad’s approach is useful here. He has been described as walking with individuals in the group, answering questions, and making sure nobody feels hurried. That does not remove the need for reasonable fitness, but it helps the outing work for people moving at different speeds.

Little Tilde and Teddy Friendly finish the route

Little Tilde is the smallest and cutest-sounding name in the group, while Teddy Friendly promises the most cuddly character. Together, the final two sculptures provide a lighthearted finish to a route that has already taken you through several types of outdoor setting.

The final stops are also where the four-hour schedule becomes clear. The six giants are not packed into one small park. Driving between them takes time, and each sculpture requires a walk from the vehicle. A four-hour duration may sound generous at first, but it gives the group room to locate all six, take photos, rest, and hear about the art.

One participant felt the last two stops were less essential than the earlier four. That is a fair point if you prefer a shorter outing or find repeated walking tiring. On the other hand, the stated aim is to see all six, and Little Tilde and Teddy Friendly complete the collection. I would choose the full route if you have made this tour a priority, but I would not book it expecting a quick two-hour photo run.

Photo opportunities are built into every stop. The sculptures are large, expressive, and placed in settings that make wide shots possible. Bring a phone or camera with enough battery, and consider packing a small waterproof pouch if the forecast looks uncertain.

What the $137 price really covers

At $137 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend four hours around Copenhagen. The price makes more sense when you consider what is bundled into it: a live English-speaking guide, private transport between scattered locations, the work of finding all six sculptures, and a coffee break.

You are paying for access and efficiency as much as for commentary. Doing the route alone could mean hiring a car, planning the stops, locating each giant, and handling parking or public transport. If you already have a rental car and enjoy route planning, the guided price may feel less necessary. If you have only a few days in Copenhagen, the private transport is a real time saver.

The six-person limit improves the value further. A large coach could lower the price, but it would change the social feel and make it harder to ask questions or move at a flexible pace. Here, the guide can help with photographs, stop for a rest, and keep an eye on everyone.

I would see the tour as good value for people who specifically want all six giants and do not want to organize the logistics themselves. It is less compelling for someone who wants a low-cost city walk or has little interest in public art.

Walking, weather, and what to bring

This is a moderate walking activity, not a passive drive-by tour. The exact amount of walking varies by stop, but the route includes paths through parks, woods, hills, and open areas. It is not suitable for people with walking difficulties or other physical limitations unless they have confirmed that the activity works for their needs.

The tour is described as suitable for all age groups, but unaccompanied minors are not allowed. That means families should plan to attend with an adult responsible for younger participants.

Denmark’s weather can change quickly. Rain did not prevent some outings from being enjoyable, but it did affect the comfort of the walk. Pack:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Water and personal snacks
• An umbrella
• Rain gear
• Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing

Do not rely on a clear morning forecast alone. A dry layer, waterproof outer shell, and shoes that can handle damp ground will make the day much easier. The coffee stop is welcome, but it is not a replacement for lunch, so eat beforehand or bring enough food.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend the tour to you if you like public art with a sense of play, moderate outdoor walking, and small-group excursions. It works particularly well as a change of pace after several days of museums, churches, and city streets.

Solo visitors should find the small group easy to join, and couples or families get plenty of chances for photos. The tour also suits people who want to learn about Danish life while moving through the countryside rather than sitting through a formal lecture.

It may not suit you if you want a completely effortless sightseeing day, dislike uncertain weather, or need fully accessible paths. It is also not ideal if you would rather spend the entire day in central Copenhagen. The setting is the point, and reaching it takes time.

The activity is in English, so you should be comfortable following explanations and casual conversation in that language. Milad’s style is friendly and informal, with time for questions about the sculptures, Denmark, and the places you pass.

Booking advice and final verdict

I would book this tour if seeing all six Forgotten Giants is high on your Copenhagen list. The combination of private transport, a six-person group, a guide who knows the locations, and a planned coffee stop removes the hardest parts of doing the hunt independently.

I would skip it if you are counting every dollar, have limited mobility, or only want a short glimpse of one sculpture. For everyone else, this is a smart four-hour escape from central Copenhagen, with enough art, walking, scenery, and conversation to feel like a real outing rather than a simple transfer.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the start time when booking, then arrive outside the YMCA Interpoint Hostel ready for changing weather and a fair amount of walking.

FAQ

Where does the Six Forgotten Giants tour meet?

Meet outside the YMCA Interpoint Hostel in Copenhagen.

How long does the activity last?

The experience lasts four hours. Check availability for the departure time offered on your chosen date.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to six participants, plus the guide.

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 is included, with about a 25-minute drive to the first area and additional driving between the sculpture sites.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, water, snacks, an umbrella, rain gear, and clothing suited to Denmark’s changing weather. You may bring your own food and drinks.