The Six Forgotten Giants Trolls Hunt with Minibus

The best thing about this tour is that it turns a half-day outside Copenhagen into a playful art hunt. Six huge wooden trolls hide among hills, lakes, trees, streams, and former industrial land, so you are not simply driving from statue to statue. You get fresh air, short walks, and a look at how local scrapwood became public art. I especially like the comfortable minibus and the small group size. With no more than eight people, you can hear the guide and avoid a crowded photo stop.

I also like the relaxed timing. The drives between most trolls take only five to ten minutes, and you get roughly 30 minutes at each stop. The main drawback is value: at $129.59 per person, the tour costs far more than visiting the sculptures by rental car. You are paying for transport, guiding, and convenience, not admission, since all six sites are free.

Six useful things to know before you book

• Six original wooden giants: Visit Hill Top Trine, Sleeping Louis, Little Tilde, Teddy Friendly, Thomas on the Mountain, and Oscar under the Bridge.
• A small minibus outing: The group is limited to eight people, with private transportation included.
• Expect real walking: Most statues are about 10 minutes from the parking area, and one or two walks can take 10 to 15 minutes each way.
• Nature is part of the attraction: You will visit hills, lakes, streams, wooded areas, and open countryside beyond central Copenhagen.
• Bring water and sun protection: Water is not supplied onboard, and you may be outdoors for about three and a half hours.
• Best for art lovers without a car: A rental car can make this route cheaper, but the tour removes the need to plan, drive, and find each sculpture.

Why these trolls are worth leaving Copenhagen for

Thomas Dambo’s giants are made for discovery. They are not placed in a city square with a plaque and a queue. Instead, they sit in places that make you walk, look around, and notice parts of Copenhagen’s outer districts you might otherwise miss.

The sculptures also have a strong local feel. Much of the wood comes from discarded materials, including old pallets, scrap pieces, cut branches, and timber from demolished structures. That gives each troll a different texture and character. You get public art, a little exercise, and a new view of the suburbs in one outing.

I think the tour works best if you treat it as a countryside excursion with sculptures as the main thread. If you only want to take quick photos, you may find four hours and the price harder to justify. If you enjoy unusual art, outdoor stops, and stories about how things are made, the format makes good sense.

The meeting point is CPH Tours & Tickets on Colbjørnsensgade 15, near public transportation. Departure is at 10:00 a.m., and the minibus returns there after the final stop. The tour lasts about four hours, though the full route can sometimes take closer to four and a half or five hours once driving and walks are counted.

Hill Top Trine gives you the first wide view

Your first stop is in Hvidovre, where Hill Top Trine rests on a small hill. The name comes from one of the volunteers who helped with another giant, giving the sculpture a direct connection to the people behind the project.

The fun detail here is that you can crawl into Trine’s hands. From the hilltop, you get a view across Avedøresletten, an open stretch that feels very different from central Copenhagen. This is a good first stop because it introduces the scale of the sculptures without demanding a long walk.

The hill is not described as difficult, but weather can change how easy outdoor paths feel. Wear shoes with a decent grip, especially if the ground is wet.

Sleeping Louis is the most playful stop

In Rødovre, Sleeping Louis lies on a wooded hill in a quiet natural area. His open mouth is large enough for people to crawl inside, play, or even stretch out for a nap. Of the six, this is likely to be one of the most entertaining for children and anyone who enjoys interacting with public art.

The setting matters as much as the sculpture. You are not looking at Louis from behind a barrier. You can get close, enter the mouth, and see the rough wood from inside. That makes the stop feel more like a playground than a conventional art visit.

The walk is generally manageable, but remember that every stop involves leaving the minibus and walking back again. If you have limited mobility, this route may not suit you. The operator says most people can participate, but the outdoor paths and uneven sections deserve attention before booking.

Oscar under the Bridge tells the scrapwood story

The third stop is in Ishøj, where Oscar under the Bridge is made from scrapwood taken from a demolished watermill and broken pallets from local industries. The sculpture’s materials are part of its story, not just a construction detail.

Oscar is named after a Chilean artist who visited Thomas Dambo and helped during the building process. That small piece of background adds a human side to the artwork. You begin to see the trolls not only as large wooden figures, but also as community projects shaped by volunteers, artists, found materials, and local places.

The under-bridge setting also changes the mood. Instead of a hilltop view or a forest clearing, you get a more urban and industrial backdrop. It helps show the range of locations chosen for the six giants.

Little Tilde requires a longer look across the water

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

That separation is part of the charm, but it can also be a small frustration if you want a close portrait. Bring your camera or phone with enough battery, since the composition here depends on the trees, water, and the giant peering through the setting.

This stop is a good reminder that the tour is not six identical photo calls. Some figures invite you inside. Others are best viewed from a hill, path, or opposite shore. Vallensbæk Mose gives the outing one of its quieter moments and adds more open nature to the route.

Teddy Friendly reaches across the stream

In Taastrup, Teddy Friendly is built from local scrapwood. Pieces from cut-down local trees form his fur, and he stands beside a stream at a lake, extending a hand to help people cross.

The design fits the setting. Teddy is not simply placed beside water by chance. His pose makes the stream part of the sculpture, and the surrounding path gives you a reason to move around him rather than take one photograph and leave.

This is another stop where comfortable shoes help. The walks are usually easy, but the tour involves paths through outdoor areas rather than smooth museum floors. Bring water with you, since it is not provided on the bus. You can also buy some at a small shop before departure.

Thomas on the Mountain saves a broad view for last

The final giant is Thomas on the Mountain in Albertslund. He sits on top of a hill with a view across the municipality, and his long legs create a natural place to sit with friends.

This makes a fitting final stop. After several woodland, water, and bridge settings, you finish with a higher viewpoint and an open view. The giant becomes both sculpture and seat, which suits the relaxed tone of the outing.

The hill may be the most demanding walk in poor weather. One comment specifically points out that a hill can be challenging when conditions are wet or unpleasant. You do not need serious hiking ability, but you should be ready for outdoor paths and a climb.

What the minibus adds to the experience

The minibus is the practical reason to choose this tour over going alone. The six giants are spread around the western suburbs, and reaching them independently means working out a route, locating parking, and keeping track of paths to each sculpture.

The drives between most stops take around five to ten minutes. That keeps the pace moving without making the day feel like a long road trip. The vehicle has been described as comfortable, air-conditioned, and equipped with Wi-Fi, though you should still bring your own water.

A maximum of eight people is a real advantage. You get a more personal setting than a large coach, and the guide can walk with the group to the sculptures and explain the work along the way. Guides named Vino and Vinod receive especially warm praise for their humor, organization, and stories about the artist and the area.

The tour is not fully private in the usual sense, despite private transportation being included. It is a small shared group, unless you arrange otherwise with the operator. That distinction matters if you are expecting a vehicle reserved only for your party.

How much walking should you expect?

The tour summary gives each stop about 30 minutes, but the actual effort comes from the walks between the parking area and the sculptures. Several stops are usually within about 10 minutes on foot. At some locations, the walk can take 10 to 15 minutes each way.

One person may find the walking light, while another may feel it adds up across six stops. You are outside for about three and a half hours, not counting the time in the vehicle, so plan for repeated walking, standing, climbing, and photo stops.

I would not choose this outing for someone with limited or restricted mobility. The operator says most people can participate, but that does not remove the need to handle uneven outdoor paths and hills. Comfortable shoes, water, sunscreen, and weather-ready clothing are the sensible basics.

There is usually a bathroom break during the route, but lunch is not included. Since the tour starts at 10:00 a.m. and ends around 2:00 p.m., eat beforehand or bring a small snack if you need one. Do not count on a meal being served on the minibus.

Is $129.59 a fair price?

The honest answer depends on your transport plans. If you already have a rental car, you can find the six giants yourself and avoid the tour fee. The sculptures have no admission charge, so the ticket price is not paying for entry.

You are paying for the minibus, fuel, route planning, a small group, and a guide who can explain the sculptures and their materials. For visitors without a car, that convenience has real value. You can sit back while someone else handles the spread-out route, and you do not need to spend time locating six separate sites.

I think the price is easiest to defend for solo visitors, couples, and small groups who do not want to drive outside Copenhagen. It is less attractive for a family or group that already has a car and enjoys planning its own day.

The rating of 4.3 from 27 reviews suggests the experience is very well liked overall, though not perfect for every budget. The one clear criticism is that it can feel expensive for what is, in practical terms, a half-day of transport and guided stops. That is a fair point. Book it for convenience and interpretation, not because the entry fees are high.

Who will enjoy this half-day outing?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Families who want large, interactive art rather than a formal museum
• Couples looking for an unusual morning outside the city center
• Solo visitors who want transport and company without joining a large coach
• Art lovers interested in Thomas Dambo’s materials and building process
• People who enjoy gentle outdoor walks and fresh air
• Anyone staying in Copenhagen without access to a car

I would be more cautious if you have restricted mobility, dislike walking in changing weather, or want a tightly scheduled city tour. You also may prefer a self-guided route if you already have a rental car and enjoy setting your own pace.

The small group helps, but the experience remains weather dependent. If poor weather causes cancellation, 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. Last-minute changes or cancellations do not qualify for a refund.

Should you book the Six Forgotten Giants tour?

Book this tour if you want to see all six giants without renting a car and you like the idea of combining public art with short walks through parks, hills, and lakeside areas. The small minibus, Wi-Fi, relaxed timing, and guides such as Vino or Vinod make the route easy to follow.

Skip it if you are watching your budget and can drive yourself. The statues are free, and a self-guided visit will cost less. For everyone else, this is a cheerful, slightly odd, worthwhile way to spend a morning outside Copenhagen, provided you pack water, wear good shoes, and expect a real walk between the bus and the trolls.

FAQ

Where does the Six Forgotten Giants tour start?

It starts at CPH Tours & Tickets, Colbjørnsensgade 15, 1652 København, Denmark. The meeting point is near public transportation.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours. The full route may take closer to four or five hours when driving and walking time are included.

How many people can join?

The activity has a maximum of eight participants.

Is transportation included?

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

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, and water is not supplied onboard. Bring water or purchase some before leaving.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded. If poor weather or an insufficient number of participants causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.