The Forgotten Giants Private Tour

Follow the trolls beyond Copenhagen’s city streets. The Forgotten Giants tour takes you to six playful sculptures made from scrap wood and other discarded materials, each placed in a green corner of Copenhagen’s western suburbs. I like the private Tesla transport and the chance to see several Thomas Dambo sculptures without arranging a rental car. I also like that the tour feels active and playful, with spots where you can sit, crawl, climb, and look across the countryside. The main drawback is the price: at $935.81 for up to four people, this makes the most sense for a full group.

You get about four hours with pickup, bottled water, transportation, and a guide who handles the route. The sculptures are free to visit, but they are spread across Hvidovre, Rødovre, Ishøj, Vallensbæk, Taastrup, and Albertslund. That makes a private vehicle especially useful. You will also want sensible shoes, since several stops involve hills, trees, grass, or a walk near water.

Key points at a glance

• Six giant sculptures in four hours: The route covers Hill Top Trine, Sleeping Louis, Oscar Under the Bridge, Little Tilde, Teddy Friendly, and Thomas on the Mountain.

• Made from discarded materials: Scrap wood, broken pallets, cutoffs from local trees, and even other recycled materials become large public artworks.

• A good family outing: Children can crawl into hands and mouths, sit on giant legs, and explore the sculptures rather than simply look at them.

• Private transportation saves effort: You do not need to plan a complicated route across Copenhagen’s outer suburbs or hire a car yourself.

• Views beyond the city center: Several trolls sit beside lakes, streams, hills, or open nature areas, offering a different side of Copenhagen.

• Best value for four people: The group price works out to about $234 per person for four, but becomes expensive for one or two people.

Why these giant trolls make a good Copenhagen side trip

Thomas Dambo’s sculptures are built to get you outside. They are not polished statues placed on a city square with a plaque and a queue. They sit among trees, beside water, under a bridge, or on a hill, often in places you might never find during a standard Copenhagen sightseeing day.

The materials matter. Thomas and his team use scrap wood and discarded supplies, including wood from a torn-down watermill, broken pallets from local industries, and cutoffs from trees removed in the area. The result is rough, oversized, and friendly rather than formal. You can see how old materials have been given a second life.

I like the way the sculptures make you interact with the setting. At Hill Top Trine, you can crawl into her palms and look over Avedøresletten. At Sleeping Louis, you can enter his open mouth and sit or even sleep inside. Teddy Friendly reaches out across a stream or lake, helping people cross. These are artworks built for participation.

The tour also gives you a look at suburban Copenhagen. Hvidovre, Rødovre, Ishøj, Vallensbæk Municipality, Taastrup, and Albertslund are not usually the first places people visit on a short city break. Here, the suburbs become part of the story, with nature areas and local spaces providing the setting for each sculpture.

Six stops, six different moods

The tour begins at 9:00 a.m. and allows roughly 15 minutes at most stops, with 30 minutes at Oscar Under the Bridge. That pace lets you see all six giants in a half-day, but it is not designed for long hikes or a slow picnic at every location.

Hill Top Trine in Hvidovre

Hill Top Trine rests on a small hill in Hvidovre. Her name comes from one of the volunteers who helped with another hidden giant, which gives the sculpture a human link to the wider project.

The main attraction is her enormous hands. You can crawl into the palms and use the high position for a view across Avedøresletten. This is one of the best early stops because it shows the basic idea of the project: the sculpture is part lookout, part playground, and part public art.

You have about 15 minutes here. That is enough for photos, a look from the hands, and a quick pause on the hill. If you want a long walk across the open area, you will need more time than the tour schedule allows.

Sleeping Louis in Rødovre

Sleeping Louis is tucked into a wooded, hilly area in Rødovre. The setting feels more secluded than a regular city park, and the giant is taking a nap rather than posing upright.

His open mouth is the memorable feature. You can crawl inside, play, or even lie down for a moment. For families, this may be the most immediately entertaining stop. Kids can treat the sculpture as a large wooden den, while adults get a good photo and a chance to appreciate the scale.

The short visit works well if your group is ready to move along. The ground is described as hilly and covered with trees and nature, so you should expect a setting that is less flat and formal than a paved urban attraction.

Oscar Under the Bridge in Ishøj

The third stop gives you more time, about 30 minutes, and that extra time is useful. Oscar Under the Bridge is made from scrap wood taken from a demolished watermill and broken pallets from local industries.

His name honors an artist from Chile who visited Thomas and helped with the work while the sculpture was being built. That detail gives Oscar a stronger connection to the people behind the project. You are not only looking at a giant wooden figure. You are also seeing a piece of an international, hands-on art community.

The sculpture’s position under a bridge adds a different mood to the route. The first two stops focus on hills, trees, and climbing inside the figures. Oscar introduces a more industrial setting, with the recycled materials and bridge helping you notice how ordinary structures can become part of an artwork.

Since this is the longest stop, it is a good place to take your time with photographs. It also gives you a little breathing room in the schedule before the route continues.

Little Tilde at Vallensbæk Mose

Little Tilde is in Vallensbæk Mose, an area known for wild nature and animal life. Unlike the sculptures you can enter or sit on, Little Tilde watches from across a small lake.

You will catch glimpses of her through the trees at a distance. That makes this stop more about searching and spotting than climbing. The experience is quieter and less direct, so you should not expect to walk right up and touch the sculpture.

This is a useful contrast in the route. The giants do not all function as playgrounds. Some ask you to look carefully at the surroundings and notice how the figure has been placed within them. If you enjoy taking photographs, the trees, water, and partial views can make this a particularly appealing stop.

You have about 15 minutes. Keep that limit in mind, since finding the best view may take a little patience.

Teddy Friendly in Taastrup

Teddy Friendly is made from local scrap wood. Cutoffs from felled local trees form his fur, giving the surface a more textured, natural appearance.

He stands at a water stream or lake and holds out his hand to help people cross. The gesture makes him one of the most approachable figures on the route. He is not simply placed near water for decoration. His pose connects the sculpture to the path and the people using it.

This stop should appeal to families and anyone who likes a little physical interaction. Still, conditions around water can vary, so stay attentive and follow your guide’s advice. The visit lasts about 15 minutes, enough to see the figure, cross by his hand, and take a few pictures.

Thomas on the Mountain in Albertslund

The final stop is Thomas on the Mountain, resting on top of a hill in Albertslund. From his position, he has a view across the municipality, and you can share it with him.

His long legs provide places to sit with friends. That makes the ending feel relaxed rather than rushed, especially after several short stops. You can use the hilltop for a final photograph and take in the broader setting before returning to Copenhagen.

This is a fitting finish because the sculpture looks out over the area where it has been placed. The tour ends not with a museum interior or a gift shop, but with a large wooden figure and an open view.

What the private vehicle adds

The biggest practical benefit is transport. The six sculptures are spread across several municipalities outside central Copenhagen, and the route is not a simple walk between nearby sights. Public transportation is available near the experience, but reaching every stop by bus and train would require more planning and likely more time.

A private vehicle lets you sit back while the guide handles the route. The supplied details describe the car as clean and comfortable, with one visitor specifically praising the Tesla used for the day. Bottled water is included, and all fees and taxes are covered.

The private format also means only your group participates. That matters if you are traveling with children, want to move at your own pace within the planned stops, or prefer not to share a car with strangers. It also makes the experience easier for a family of four, since everyone can stay together from pickup through the final hilltop.

The tradeoff is cost. The total price is $935.81 per group of up to four. At the maximum group size, the cost is about $234 per person. For two people, it is about $468 each, and for one person it becomes a very costly half-day.

I would consider this price fair only if private transport and convenience are important to you, or if you are determined to see several of Thomas Dambo’s sculptures in one outing. If you only want to see one or two trolls, finding a more focused and less expensive option may make better sense.

A four-hour schedule that moves quickly

The stop times add up to about 105 minutes, leaving the rest of the four-hour experience for driving between locations, pickup, and transitions. That is a sensible arrangement because the sculptures are spread over the western suburbs.

You will not spend an entire morning at any single figure. Most visits last about 15 minutes, so the experience works best when you are ready to get out, explore, take pictures, and return to the vehicle. The half-day format is also useful if you want to keep your afternoon open for Copenhagen museums, canals, shopping, or a meal in the city.

Lunch is not included. Since the tour lasts around four hours and begins at 9:00 a.m., plan to eat before pickup or after the tour. Bottled water is provided, but you should not expect a meal or a long restaurant break during the route.

The pace may feel brisk if you want to linger, sketch, photograph every angle, or explore each nature area. For most people, though, the short stops are part of the appeal. You see six different settings without turning the morning into a full-day expedition.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend it most strongly to families, small groups of friends, and fans of Thomas Dambo’s work. Children get a rare chance to climb into giant hands and mouths, sit on oversized limbs, and treat public art as something active.

It also suits anyone who wants to check several sculptures off a personal list. One visitor described the tour as a way to see many of Thomas Dambo’s trolls without dealing with car rental details. That is exactly the practical advantage here.

The tour is less suitable if you want a traditional art lecture, a long guided walk, or a slow nature outing. The guide can explain the sculptures and their materials, but the focus is on seeing the route efficiently rather than spending hours at one site.

Most people can participate, and the experience is near public transportation. Still, the provided information does not promise that every path, hill, or sculpture is fully accessible. If anyone in your group has mobility concerns, ask the operator about the specific stops before booking.

Guide quality and the feel of the day

A strong guide matters on a route like this because the sculptures sit in places you may not find on your own. The guide provides the route, keeps the timing on track, and adds context about the materials, names, and people involved.

Vinod received particular praise for his dedication during one full day, along with the cleanliness and comfort of the Tesla. Another family of four enjoyed the guide’s friendly, enthusiastic approach, and the children liked the experience as much as the adults. Those details suggest the tour can work well when the guide keeps the mood light and explains the art in a way that holds a child’s attention.

The private setting should help the guide tailor the day to your group. You can ask for a little more time at a favorite sculpture if the schedule permits, or move along quickly if a stop has less appeal. Do not assume the four-hour plan can be changed completely, since six stops require a fairly steady pace.

Weather, clothing, and timing tips

This experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Since several sculptures are on hills, near trees, beside water, or in open nature areas, a dry day will make the outing more pleasant.

Wear shoes that handle grass, uneven ground, and short outdoor walks. You may want clothing that allows easy movement if you plan to crawl into Sleeping Louis or Hill Top Trine’s hands. A phone or camera is useful, since the scale of the figures creates photo opportunities that ordinary statues do not.

The early start is helpful. At 9:00 a.m., you can complete the route before the middle of the day and still have time for other Copenhagen plans. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, so do not treat the reservation as final until you receive it.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded.

Should you book The Forgotten Giants Private Tour?

Book it if you want an easy, private way to see six large recycled-material sculptures outside Copenhagen. The mix of playful art, open-air settings, hilltop views, and comfortable transport gives you a memorable half-day, especially with children or a group of four.

I would be more cautious if you are traveling alone or as a couple on a tight budget. The price is high for four hours, even though the private vehicle, guide, bottled water, and route planning add real value.

For a family of four, Thomas Dambo fan, or small group that wants to avoid renting a car, this is a strong choice. You get a personal route through Copenhagen’s outer areas, a look at inventive reuse, and six sculptures that ask you to do more than stand and stare.

FAQ

How long does The Forgotten Giants Private Tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 9:00 a.m.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers one private group of up to four people.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Private transportation is included, along with bottled water and all fees and taxes.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

Are admission tickets required for the sculptures?

No. Each listed stop has free admission.

Does the tour operate in poor weather?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.