Copenhagen: The Six Forgotten Giants Hunt and Nature Walk

The best thing about this Copenhagen troll hunt is that it takes you well beyond the city center. In four hours, you visit six enormous wooden figures by Thomas Dambo, each set in a different outdoor spot: on a hill, below a bridge, among trees, or beside open countryside.

I like the small group of six and the private van, which make a complicated outing simple. I also like the mix of art, fresh air, and short walks. The main drawback is the amount of walking and the price, $137 per person, which may feel high if you mainly want a quick photo with one sculpture.

Key points to know

• Six sculptures in four hours: Visit Sleeping Louis, Hilltop Trine, Oscar Under The Bridge, Thomas on the Mountain, Little Tilde, and Teddy Friendly.
• A real outing beyond central Copenhagen: The giants are spread across Zealand, so private transport saves you from piecing together cars, buses, and walks.
• Guide Milad Shekhzada sets the tone: He drives, explains Dambo’s work and Danish life, and pays attention to the pace of each person.
• Moderate walking, not a simple drive-by: Each giant requires some walking, with paths through parks, woods, and open areas.
• A useful mid-tour pause: Coffee, tea, snacks, and a short rest break help break up the route.
• Best for art lovers and curious walkers: Bring sturdy shoes and rain gear, and expect Danish weather to change its mind.

Why these six giants make a good Copenhagen side trip

Thomas Dambo builds large public sculptures from recycled materials, often placing them where you have to search a little to find them. That setting matters. The figures are not lined up in a city square with a gift shop beside them. You meet them outdoors, where the walk and the setting are part of the art.

This route visits all six of the Forgotten Giants. They are spread out, so you cannot treat this as one compact walking tour. The van does the long work between stops, while you get the pleasant part: short walks, fresh air, and the surprise of seeing a huge wooden person appear between trees or beneath a bridge.

I like this outing for the change of pace. Copenhagen has palaces, museums, canals, and busy streets, but this trip shows you a quieter side of the Zealand Region. You get parks, woods, hills, open views, and places that do not feel designed only for sightseeing.

The route also works well for solo visitors. A group of no more than six people makes it easier to talk with the guide and with one another. It feels more like joining a small outing than being moved through a large tour crowd.

Meeting Milad and leaving Copenhagen

Meet outside the YMCA Interpoint Hostel. After introductions, Milad Shekhzada takes the group by private vehicle toward the first sculpture. The initial drive takes about 25 minutes, giving you a quick transition from city streets to greener surroundings.

Milad’s role is more than driving from point to point. He explains Thomas Dambo’s ideas, shares information about Denmark, and answers questions along the way. His easy manner is a big part of the experience. He is also attentive to different walking speeds, which matters when a group includes both keen walkers and people who prefer a slower pace.

The small van is useful because the six sculptures are not close together. Trying to visit them alone would mean planning several transport links and then locating each figure on foot. The tour removes that task and leaves you free to enjoy the search.

One practical note: the advertised price is $137 per person. That is not a bargain for a half-day activity, but it includes a private vehicle, a live English-speaking guide, and access to six widely separated locations. If you would otherwise rent a car, pay for fuel, and spend time navigating, the price becomes easier to justify. If you only want to see one or two Dambo works, it is probably more than you need.

Sleeping Louis begins the hunt

The first stop is Sleeping Louis. His name gives you a clue about the playful mood of the route. You are not visiting formal monuments and listening to a long lecture. You are looking for giant characters with personality.

The first sculpture also helps you understand the format. You leave the vehicle, walk through the surrounding outdoor area, and locate the figure. Bring your camera, but do not rush the photo. The natural setting is part of the scene, and each stop gives you a different background.

This first walk is a good test of your shoes and clothing. The activity involves moderate walking, though the paths are described as manageable rather than strenuous. Conditions can change with rain, so comfortable shoes and a waterproof layer are sensible from the start.

Hilltop Trine brings the views

Next comes Hilltop Trine, placed high enough to offer a wider view. This is one of the stops where the setting adds real value. You get a sculpture, a short walk, and a chance to look across the surrounding area rather than back toward Copenhagen’s center.

The route is not a hard hike, but it is still active. You may walk uphill, across uneven ground, or along paths that feel less polished than a city sidewalk. If you have walking difficulties, this is an important consideration. The tour suits people prepared for moderate walking, not anyone looking for a fully vehicle-based sightseeing ride.

Hilltop Trine is also a good place to slow down for photographs. The figures are large, so a person in the frame helps show their scale. Milad is happy to take pictures, a useful touch for solo visitors and couples who want more than selfies.

Oscar Under The Bridge adds the surprise

Oscar Under The Bridge changes the mood again. This giant is tucked below a bridge, making the approach feel more like a small treasure hunt. You do not simply spot him from the van window. You walk in and discover where he has been placed.

That sense of discovery is central to the appeal. Dambo’s sculptures are built to bring people into public spaces they might otherwise miss. The art gives you a reason to explore a park, a woodland path, or an overlooked corner beneath a bridge.

After the first three stops, the group takes a short coffee break. Coffee and tea are provided, and you can bring your own snacks and drinks as well. This pause is useful because it divides the outing into two parts. You get a chance to sit, talk, and warm up or cool down before continuing.

Thomas on the Mountain is the physical highlight

Thomas on the Mountain is one of the more memorable stops because the figure’s height and position are part of the joke. The walk to him gives you another change of scenery and a chance to stretch your legs after the drive.

By this point, you will have a clearer sense of the pace. You are not walking continuously for four hours, but you are also not spending the whole time in the vehicle. The day alternates between driving and short walks, with time at each sculpture for photos and explanations.

This is where good planning matters. The tour is designed to cover all six giants in four hours, so the guide has to keep the route moving. The experience does not feel rushed when the group stays together, but you should not expect long, unstructured visits at every location.

Little Tilde is the smallest and sweetest stop

Little Tilde provides a softer moment in the route. Her name and scale make her the most charming of the six, and she offers a contrast to the taller figures and hilltop settings.

The sculptures are not identical in mood. Some feel grand, some playful, and some surprising because of where they are hidden. That variety keeps the second half of the outing from becoming repetitive. You are not simply checking off six large wooden bodies. You are seeing how the artist uses place, scale, and position to create different encounters.

This stop should appeal to families, though unaccompanied minors are not allowed. The activity is listed as suitable for all age groups, but every participant needs to be ready for moderate walking and outdoor conditions.

Teddy Friendly closes the route

Teddy Friendly is the final giant. The name fits the welcoming tone of the day, and the last stop gives you one more chance to see how a sculpture can change the character of its surroundings.

By now, you have visited woods, open areas, a hillside, and a spot beneath a bridge. That range is one reason the full four-hour route makes sense. One guest felt that four giants would have been enough for one day, and that is a fair point. If you prefer a shorter outing, the full six-stop plan may feel long.

Still, the six-giant route is valuable if your goal is to see the whole group in one organized trip. The sculptures are scattered, and some are not easy to find without local directions. Stopping after four would mean missing two of the artist’s works and leaving the region with an incomplete picture of the project.

What the price includes, and what it does not

At $137 per person, this is a premium half-day excursion. The fee includes the guide, private transportation, and the coffee break. It does not include meals, so bring snacks if you tend to get hungry during active outings.

The best value comes from the logistics. You do not need to rent a car, work out the order of the stops, or search for each giant alone. You also get a small group, an English-speaking guide, and a driver who knows the locations.

The value is weaker if you already have a car and enjoy route planning. Independent visitors who have plenty of time could potentially visit some sculptures on their own, but the spread-out locations and search element make it less simple than a standard city attraction.

A useful feature is the flexible booking policy. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Check the available starting time before booking, since the tour lasts four hours.

What to wear and how hard is the walking?

Wear comfortable shoes with a good grip. You will walk at each location, and paths may be wet or uneven after rain. Bring water, snacks, an umbrella, rain gear, and clothing suited to the forecast.

Danish weather can shift from sun to rain during the same morning. Do not let a gray forecast automatically put you off, but do dress for it. A rainproof outer layer is more useful than hoping an umbrella will cover you on every path.

The walking is moderate, not strenuous, according to the information provided and the route description. You should still be physically prepared. The guide can adjust the pace and plan rest stops, but the tour is not suited to someone who cannot manage repeated walks away from the vehicle.

Who should book this experience?

I would choose this tour if you have already seen some of central Copenhagen and want a different side of the region. It is especially good for:

• Art lovers who enjoy public sculpture with a playful edge
• Families with children who can manage moderate walking
• Solo visitors who want an easy social outing
• Couples looking for unusual photo spots
• Cruise passengers with enough time for a four-hour trip
• Anyone interested in recycled materials and outdoor art

I would think twice if your Copenhagen stay is very short and this would replace a first visit to the city’s main sights. I would also skip it if you dislike walking in changeable weather or prefer a fixed indoor schedule.

The tour suits a relaxed, curious mood. You will get more from it if you enjoy the journey between places, not just the final photographs.

Should you book the Six Forgotten Giants Hunt?

Book it if you want to see all six giants without renting a car or working out a complicated route. The private transport, small group, coffee stop, and Milad’s personal attention make the price easier to accept, especially for solo visitors and anyone with limited time.

Skip it if you only want a single sculpture or need a short, low-walking activity. For most people who like outdoor art and a break from city sightseeing, this is a memorable Copenhagen side trip with a clear purpose, plenty of fresh air, and six very large reasons to bring your camera.

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.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to six participants.

Who guides the experience?

The guide is Milad Shekhzada, and the tour is conducted in English.

How do you travel between the giants?

Private transportation takes you between the sculpture locations. The first drive to the area takes about 25 minutes.

Which sculptures will you visit?

The route includes Sleeping Louis, Hilltop Trine, Oscar Under The Bridge, Thomas on the Mountain, Little Tilde, and Teddy Friendly.

Is coffee included?

Yes. A coffee break is included, and tea and snacks may also be provided. You can bring your own snacks and drinks.

How much walking is involved?

The activity includes moderate walking at each stop. Comfortable shoes are recommended, and the tour may not suit people with walking difficulties or other physical limitations.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you book without paying immediately.