Copenhagen: The Six Forgotten Giants Hunt and Nature Walk

Copenhagen’s Six Forgotten Giants turn a simple day trip into an outdoor treasure hunt. These huge wooden trolls by artist Thomas Dambo hide in parks, woods, hills, and even beneath a bridge. You ride between them, then walk into each setting to find the sculpture.

I like the small group of six and the way the tour gets you far beyond the city center without making you arrange several buses or rent a car. I also like the personal touch from guide Milad Shekhzada, who brings coffee, tea, water, and snacks, and makes time for photos.

The main drawback is the walking. None of it is described as strenuous, but you will walk at every stop, and the six sculptures are spread out. Rain, mud, or a slower pace can make four hours feel full, so good shoes and weatherproof clothing matter.

Key points at a glance

• Six sculptures in one outing: See Sleeping Louis, Hilltop Trine, Oscar Under the Bridge, Thomas on the Mountain, Little Tilde, and Teddy Friendly.
• Private transport saves time: The giants are far apart, and finding some alone can be difficult.
• Nature is half the attraction: Expect woods, hills, lakeside views, open fields, and fresh air outside central Copenhagen.
• Milad sets a friendly pace: He shares stories about Dambo, Denmark, and local life while checking that everyone is comfortable.
• Small-group feel: With no more than six participants, the outing feels social without becoming a crowd.
• Bring serious rain gear: Denmark’s weather can change quickly, and the tour runs outdoors in all ordinary conditions.

Why these wooden giants are worth leaving Copenhagen for

Thomas Dambo builds large public sculptures from recycled materials, often placing them where people might not expect to find art. The Six Forgotten Giants are not lined up in a city square. They are spread across outdoor areas around Copenhagen, so each one feels like a small discovery.

That setting changes the experience. You are not simply stopping in front of six statues, taking a quick picture, and moving on. You walk through trees, across open ground, along paths, and up or around small hills. The sculpture becomes the reward at the end of each short search.

I also like the fact that the art has a light, playful character. These are giant trolls, not solemn monuments. Their names help set the mood: Sleeping Louis sounds ready for a nap, Hilltop Trine claims the best view, and Teddy Friendly is built to look approachable.

The tour also gives you a different view of the Copenhagen area. If your time in the city is filled with palaces, museums, canals, and design shops, this outing adds open space and local scenery. It is a useful change of rhythm, especially in the middle of a busy sightseeing schedule.

Meeting Milad and getting out of town

The meeting point is outside the YMCA Interpoint Hostel. From there, you meet Milad and the rest of the small group before taking a roughly 25-minute drive to the first area.

The private vehicle is a major part of the value. The six giants are spread out, and some can be hard to locate without local knowledge. You could try to plan the route yourself, but that would mean working out transport between separate parks and then searching for sculptures placed away from obvious roads.

The drive also gives Milad time to talk about Copenhagen, Danish life, and Thomas Dambo’s work. He is not simply there to point toward each troll. His style, based on the experience described by past participants, is more like a thoughtful host who keeps the day relaxed and pays attention to each person.

The group size matters here. Six participants is small enough for questions and conversation, but large enough to make the outing social. Solo visitors can meet other people without being swallowed by a large bus group. Couples and families also get a more personal experience than they would on a standard city excursion.

Sleeping Louis begins the troll hunt

The first stop is Sleeping Louis. The name gives you a clue about the sculpture’s pose and tone. This is a gentle introduction to the hunt, with time to take in the scale of the wooden figure and the surrounding outdoor setting.

At each stop, expect to leave the vehicle and walk to the sculpture. The walking is moderate rather than athletic, but it is not just a pavement-to-statue photo stop. You should be ready for uneven ground and changing conditions underfoot.

The first giant also helps you understand the basic pattern of the tour. Milad leads you toward the sculpture, explains the artist and the site, and gives you time for photos. He also offers to take pictures, which is useful when you want a photo of the whole group rather than another solo image.

Hilltop Trine brings the best view

Hilltop Trine is placed above the surrounding area, giving this stop a wider view and a stronger sense of open space. The name is accurate in spirit: this giant is associated with height and a good outlook.

This is one of the places where comfortable shoes pay off. A short climb can be easy in dry weather and less pleasant after rain. Bring water and wear shoes with a secure sole, especially if the forecast looks uncertain.

I would give yourself time here rather than rushing to the next stop. The appeal is not only the wooden figure but also the view around it. This is the sort of pause that makes the trip feel like a nature outing instead of a sculpture checklist.

The six-stop plan does require some discipline with time. You have four hours for driving, walking, explanations, photos, and a break. Milad’s role is important because he needs to keep the group moving without making anyone feel hurried.

Oscar Under the Bridge adds a surprise

Oscar Under the Bridge has a different setting from the first two giants. Instead of being displayed openly on a hill or in a broad park, Oscar is tucked beneath a bridge. That placement makes the discovery feel more like a real hunt.

This stop shows why finding the giants independently can take work. You are not always looking for a sculpture in the obvious part of a park. A guide who already knows the routes can save time and prevent the day from turning into a frustrating search.

The bridge setting also gives you a different background for photographs. The changing surroundings are part of the design. Each giant has its own mood, and the variety keeps the outing from feeling repetitive.

After the first three sculptures, the tour includes a short coffee break. Milad has provided coffee, tea, water, and snacks on some outings, but meals are not included, so bring anything more substantial you will need.

Thomas on the Mountain changes the scale

Thomas on the Mountain is the name that most clearly signals size and height. The sculpture’s raised position adds another walking section and another chance to see the area from above.

The route to this giant may be a highlight for people who enjoy being outdoors more than people who want a quick sightseeing circuit. The walks are described as manageable, but the tour is still active. If you have walking difficulties or physical limitations, think carefully before booking.

This is also a good stop for asking about Dambo’s methods and purpose. The sculptures are made from recycled materials, and their placement encourages people to visit ordinary outdoor areas with fresh attention. You are seeing public art, but you are also being guided into parts of the region you might otherwise skip.

Little Tilde is the gentlest stop

Little Tilde is described as the cutest of the six, and the smaller name gives this stop a softer feel after the taller, more imposing figures.

The surrounding natural setting is part of the charm. Rather than treating the sculpture as an isolated object, the tour lets you see how it relates to trees, paths, open ground, and nearby wildlife. You might find this stop especially appealing if you enjoy taking close-up photos of the woodwork as well as wider shots of the setting.

Families can appreciate the playful scale and storybook quality of the giants. The activity is suitable for all age groups, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Since there is moderate walking, parents should also plan for water, snacks, and clothing that can handle the weather.

Teddy Friendly finishes the route

Teddy Friendly is the final giant and an appropriate way to end the hunt. The name suggests a welcoming figure, and the last stop gives you one more chance to photograph the sculpture from different angles.

By this point, you will have seen how much the settings vary. One giant is sleeping, one overlooks the area from a hill, one hides under a bridge, and others appear among trees and open outdoor spaces. The route works because the sculptures are not all presented in the same way.

One practical point deserves attention: one past participant felt that the final two stops were less essential after the strongest middle section. That is a fair consideration if you prefer a shorter outing. The tour does visit all six, so book it for the complete collection rather than assuming you can leave early after seeing your favorite sculptures.

For most people, finishing all six is the point. The last two add variety, and the route gives you a fuller sense of Dambo’s project.

How difficult is the walking?

The tour includes moderate walking, with short walks from the vehicle at each location. The walks are not presented as strenuous, and the guide can adjust the pace to the group. Still, six stops add up.

You should be comfortable walking outdoors for several hours with breaks. The route may include hills, woodland paths, and uneven areas. It is not a good choice if you need a fully accessible route or want to remain close to the vehicle at all times.

Wear comfortable walking shoes. Pack water, snacks, an umbrella, rain gear, and clothing suited to the forecast. Danish weather can shift from sun to rain during the same outing, so a waterproof layer is more useful than relying on a good morning forecast.

The coffee break helps. It offers a chance to sit, talk, eat a small snack, and reset before the second part of the route. Bring your own food if you need more than a light refreshment, since meals are not included.

What the $137 price really covers

At $137 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see public art around Copenhagen. The price makes more sense when you count the private transport, four-hour duration, guide, small group, route planning, and coffee break together.

The biggest saving is time and uncertainty. You avoid arranging separate public transport connections, renting a car, and trying to locate sculptures that are intentionally placed away from the main tourist paths. You also get all six in one organized route.

The small group adds value for solo visitors and anyone who likes questions answered along the way. Milad has time to walk with individuals, check on comfort, and help take photos. That kind of attention is harder to get on a large coach outing.

I would not book this for the transport alone. If you only want one Thomas Dambo sculpture and do not care about the surrounding nature, the price may feel high. If you want all six, prefer a simple route, and value a friendly guide, the cost is easier to justify.

Who should book this outing?

I recommend it most strongly if you:

• Want a break from museums, palaces, and central Copenhagen
• Like playful public art and unusual photo settings
• Enjoy moderate walking in woods, parks, and open areas
• Are traveling alone and want a small social group
• Do not want to plan several transport connections
• Enjoy hearing about Danish life as well as the artwork

It also suits families with children, provided everyone can manage the walking and minors are accompanied. The giant trolls are easy to appreciate without needing an art background.

You may want to skip it if your time in Copenhagen is very short, if the weather is poor and you dislike being outdoors, or if you have significant walking limitations. A four-hour trip outside the center takes a solid half day, including the drive between sites.

Booking details that matter

The tour is in English and is limited to six participants. It lasts four hours, with starting times depending on availability. The meeting point is outside the YMCA Interpoint Hostel.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Copenhagen plans are still shifting.

The activity is not for unaccompanied minors. Bring your own drinks and snacks, even though a coffee break is included. The transport has received especially strong marks for comfort, which matters because the giants are spread across several areas.

Should you book the Six Forgotten Giants Hunt?

Book this tour if you want to see all six sculptures without wrestling with maps, transport, and uncertain locations. The art is fun, but the real strength is the mix of private driving, short walks, open scenery, and a guide who treats the outing as a shared day rather than a scripted transfer.

Milad Shekhzada is a big part of the appeal. His friendly approach, local information, attention to walking pace, and habit of helping with photos make the small group feel personal.

Skip it only if you want a purely urban Copenhagen experience or if moderate walking is a problem. For everyone else, bring waterproof shoes, keep your schedule flexible, and expect a pleasant change from the city’s usual sights.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet outside the YMCA Interpoint Hostel in Copenhagen.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts four hours, including transportation, walking, explanations, photos, and a coffee break.

How many people can join the group?

The group is limited to six participants.

Which giants will I see?

You will visit 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 locations is included, with the first drive taking about 25 minutes.

Is food included?

A coffee break is included, but meals are not. You can bring your own snacks and drinks.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, water, snacks, an umbrella, rain gear, comfortable clothing, and weather-appropriate layers.