The Hunt For The Six Forgotten Giants

Copenhagen’s best-known sights are in the center, but Thomas Dambo’s huge wooden sculptures lead you far beyond the usual route. This half-day outing takes you by car to six playful giants tucked into parks, woods, hills, and waterside spots around the city.

I like the small group of no more than six and the way the car links sites that would be awkward to reach on your own. I also like the simple tea or coffee stop, which can turn into a very Danish pause under the trees, especially when the rain comes down.

The main drawback is the walking. The car gets you close, but each giant still requires some time on foot, and one stop can involve a fairly long walk. The vehicle may also feel tight when six people are aboard, so this is not the best choice if you have trouble walking or getting in and out of a car.

Key points to know before you book

• Six sculptures in four hours: You visit Sleeping Louis, Hilltop Trine, Oscar Under The Bridge, Thomas on the Mountain, Little Tilde, and Teddy Friendly.
• A car saves serious time: Private transport connects the suburban sites, letting you see all six in one morning instead of planning several separate trips.
• The guide shapes the experience: Milad is frequently named as a warm, organized host, while Ahmed is also praised for stories, courtesy, and taking photos.
• Expect real walking: Some sculptures are easy to reach, but others call for a good walk through outdoor areas.
• The break is part of the charm: Tea or coffee with biscuits offers a welcome rest between the first three and final three giants.
• Weather matters: Bring water, walking shoes, and clothing for rain, wind, or a sudden change in temperature.

Why these six giants make a good Copenhagen side trip

Thomas Dambo builds large outdoor figures from recycled materials and places them where people might not otherwise go. The appeal here is not only the sculptures. It is the hunt, the changing scenery, and the pleasure of finding a giant in an ordinary corner of greater Copenhagen.

Each figure has a personality and a name that helps you remember it. Sleeping Louis sounds ready for a nap. Hilltop Trine is positioned for a view. Oscar Under The Bridge is built around surprise. The names make the sculptures easy to talk about, especially if you are with children or teenagers.

I like that the tour does not treat the giants as isolated photo props. You also see suburban paths, open areas, trees, water, and small pockets of nature. The sculptures fit into their surroundings rather than sitting in a gallery or city square.

This is a good choice if you have already seen the central sights and want a different side of Copenhagen. It gives you a reason to leave the old streets for a few hours without committing to a full-day trip outside the city.

Starting at Valdemarsgade at 10 a.m.

The tour starts at Valdemarsgade 15 in Copenhagen at 10:00 a.m. You meet your guide and the rest of the group there, then leave the center in a private vehicle.

The exact drive time between each site can vary, but the basic plan is efficient: three giants, a refreshment stop, then three more giants. That structure matters. You are not spending the entire morning driving, and you are not trying to walk between distant suburban locations.

The group limit is six people. In practice, the experience may be even smaller, with some departures operating with only a few participants. A small group makes it easier to ask questions, chat with the guide, and get help with photos.

The vehicle is described as comfortable and clean, though one person found a full six-person van crowded. If you value personal space, a smaller departure will feel better. If you are traveling with family or friends, the private transport is a major advantage over piecing the route together with public transport.

First three stops: Sleeping Louis, Hilltop Trine, and Oscar Under The Bridge

The first part of the morning introduces you to three different ways Dambo uses a site.

Sleeping Louis

Sleeping Louis is likely to be the gentlest opening stop. The figure’s relaxed character sets the tone for the outing: this is playful public art, not a formal museum visit.

You can expect a walk from the vehicle to the sculpture, with time to look at the construction and take photos. The outdoor setting is part of the attraction. The giant is meant to be found in its surroundings, so you get a sense of how the trees, paths, and open space frame the work.

If you are traveling with children, this first sculpture gives them a clear idea of what the hunt involves. You are not simply being driven past monuments. You get out, walk, search, and spend time beside each figure.

Hilltop Trine

Hilltop Trine brings more attention to the view. The name tells you what to expect: this giant occupies a higher position and makes the walk part of the reward.

This can be one of the more scenic stops, but it also reinforces the need for proper shoes. A short outdoor walk can feel easy in dry weather and less pleasant on wet ground. Denmark’s weather can change quickly, so a waterproof layer is worth carrying even if the morning begins bright.

Your guide adds context about the area and the sculpture. Milad is often described as organized, friendly, and well prepared, and he has also helped with photos. That is useful here, since the figures are large and a good picture often needs someone standing well back with the camera.

Oscar Under The Bridge

Oscar Under The Bridge uses its setting for a little surprise. The location gives the sculpture a different mood from a hilltop or open park. Look around as you approach rather than expecting every giant to be visible right away.

This stop also shows why the tour is called a hunt. The fun comes from reaching an unusual place and suddenly finding a giant built into it. You get a few minutes to explore the immediate area, take pictures, and hear about the work before returning to the vehicle.

The walking is not constant, but it is spread across all six stops. If you have a knee, hip, or balance problem, be honest with yourself before booking. A participant who suffered an unrelated knee injury received help from the guide, but assistance cannot remove the physical demands of the route.

The tea break is more than a quick drink

After the first three sculptures, the group pauses for tea or coffee. Biscuits may also be provided, and the break can take place in a small hut under the trees near a lake.

This is one of the nicest details of the outing. It gives you a chance to warm up, dry off, and talk with the group instead of rushing from one sculpture to the next. In good weather, it is a pleasant outdoor pause. In rain, it becomes especially welcome.

The refreshments are modest, not a meal. You should eat beforehand or carry something if you need more than a drink and biscuit. Meals and accommodation are not included, and the total length is only about four hours.

I also like the way the break fits the character of the trip. The tour is not just a transport service between six points. It builds in a calm moment that lets you enjoy the surroundings and the company.

Final three stops: Thomas on the Mountain, Little Tilde, and Teddy Friendly

The second half brings three more figures, each with a distinct tone.

Thomas on the Mountain

Thomas on the Mountain has the biggest sense of scale in its name. The elevated setting adds another reason to keep your eyes open as you walk. You may spend as much time looking at the surrounding scenery as you do studying the sculpture itself.

This stop can be rewarding for photographers because the height and open setting give you room to frame the entire figure. Your guide can also explain how the sculpture relates to the area, rather than leaving you with only a quick photo opportunity.

If you tire easily, this is a good point to judge your pace. You still have two giants to go, and the tour does not simply end after the most demanding walk.

Little Tilde

Little Tilde is the smallest-sounding character in the group, but the name is part of the appeal. After several enormous figures, a giant with a softer, cuter personality changes the rhythm.

The sculptures are designed to be approachable. Children can play around them, and adults can enjoy the humor without needing a background in contemporary art. You can look closely at the wood and construction, then step back to see how the figure sits in the wider setting.

This is also a good stop for group photos. Guides such as Ahmed and Milad have been praised for taking pictures, which saves you from relying only on selfies.

Teddy Friendly

Teddy Friendly closes the set with the most welcoming name of the six. The final stop gives the outing a gentle finish after the walking and driving.

By now, you will have seen how different locations change the mood of the same basic idea. A bridge, a hill, a wooded area, and an open view can make each giant feel separate. That variety is the real strength of the route.

The tour then returns to the original meeting point at Valdemarsgade. You finish back in Copenhagen rather than arranging a separate ride home.

What the guides add to the morning

The guide is important here because the sculptures alone do not fill four hours. A good host gives the route shape, keeps the timing under control, and makes the drives useful.

Milad is repeatedly praised for being personal, organized, polite, and well informed about both the giants and Copenhagen. He has answered questions about Denmark, helped with photos, supplied water and snacks on some departures, and kept the day moving without making it feel rushed.

Ahmed is also named as a courteous guide who shared information and took pictures. Another guide was described as a former teacher who stayed engaged with every family and told stories in a way that held attention.

The guide quality may vary by departure, so do not book this expecting one guaranteed individual. Still, the tour clearly benefits from a host who enjoys talking about the art and the places around it. If your guide provides little commentary, the outing becomes a costly ride to six sculptures. If the guide is engaged, the drive between stops becomes part of the experience.

Price, group size, and what you receive

At $142.47 per person, this is not a bargain attraction. You are paying for a four-hour private-transport route, a small group, a guide, and the convenience of seeing all six sites in one morning.

The price makes more sense if you value time. Finding all six alone could involve route planning, public transport, walking, and uncertainty about access. The tour handles the driving and gives you a guide who knows where to go.

It is also better value for a small family or group that would otherwise need several taxis or a private vehicle. Solo visitors and couples should think harder about the cost, especially if they are comfortable arranging their own route.

Admission to the sculptures is free, so the fee is mainly for transportation, hosting, and convenience. Tea or coffee is included, but meals are not. The group limit of six is a real benefit, though a full vehicle may feel cramped.

The tour is booked well ahead on average, around 66 days in advance. If you are visiting during a busy period, reserve early rather than assuming you can decide at the last minute.

Walking, weather, and who should skip it

Bring water, good walking shoes, and clothes for unpredictable Danish weather. An umbrella or rain layer is sensible, and one guide has carried umbrellas for the group during wet conditions.

You do not need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable walking outdoors at several separate stops. The tour is not suitable for someone with significant walking difficulties or other physical limitations. Getting in and out of the car is also part of the day.

Families with older children and teenagers should enjoy the mix of art, nature, and movement. Couples and solo visitors can also fit in well, especially because the small group makes conversation easy. The tour is a good break from central Copenhagen’s streets and museums.

It is less suitable if you want a relaxed sightseeing drive with almost no walking, or if you prefer serious art commentary. The tone is friendly and informal, with whimsical sculptures and outdoor exploration rather than a lecture.

Should you book The Hunt For The Six Forgotten Giants?

Book it if you want to see all six sculptures efficiently and you like the idea of finding art in unexpected outdoor places. The combination of private transport, a small group, guide stories, and a hot drink break gives you more than a simple list of stops.

Think twice if the price feels high for free sculptures, if you need lots of legroom, or if walking is difficult. You should also keep your expectations clear: the giants are charming and unusual, but they are not essential historic monuments.

For most people who enjoy public art, nature, and a little adventure, this is a memorable half-day choice. Bring sturdy shoes, leave room for weather changes, and let the route take you beyond Copenhagen’s center.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Valdemarsgade 15, 1665 København, Denmark.

What time does the tour begin?

The start time is 10:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

Which sculptures 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, and the tour returns to the original meeting point.

Are food and drinks included?

Tea or coffee is included, and biscuits may be provided during the break. Meals and accommodation are not included.

Is the tour suitable for people with walking difficulties?

The tour may not be suitable for people with walking difficulties or other physical limitations. You should expect walking at each sculpture and be able to get in and out of the vehicle.