The Forgotten Giants Private Tour

Copenhagen’s most unusual public art is scattered beyond the city center: six giant trolls made from scrap wood and other discarded materials, each tucked into a park, lake area, hill, or woodland. This private tour links them by car, turning a tricky do-it-yourself hunt into an easy half-day outing.

I like the way the tour makes the sculptures playful rather than precious. You can crawl into Sleeping Louis, sit on Thomas On The Mountain, and reach the hands of Hill Top Trine. I also like the private format, especially for a family or group of four, since you set off together instead of joining strangers.

The main drawback is the price. At $935.81 per group, it is costly for four hours, though the total covers up to four people, private transportation, taxes, and bottled water. You should also expect a good deal of driving between short stops, with lunch not included.

Key points to know before you book

• Six sculptures in four hours: You visit Hill Top Trine, Sleeping Louis, Oscar under the Bridge, Little Tilde, Teddy Friendly, and Thomas On The Mountain.
• Hands-on public art: Several sculptures invite you to climb, crawl, sit, or play, making this especially appealing to families with children.
• Private transport for up to four: Pickup is offered, and only your own group takes part.
• Scrap wood with a purpose: The giants use old pallets, tree cutoffs, material from a demolished watermill, and other discarded supplies.
• Outdoor settings: Expect hills, woodland, lakes, streams, and open views rather than galleries or paved city squares.
• Good weather matters: The experience requires suitable weather and can be moved or refunded if conditions are poor.

Why these giants are worth leaving central Copenhagen for

Thomas Dambo and his team build large sculptures from recycled materials and trash. Their main material here is scrap wood, but they also work with plastic and cardboard. That gives the art a rough, handmade quality. You can see that these are not polished museum pieces made to be viewed from behind a rope.

The setting is part of each sculpture. A troll may be resting on a hill, looking through trees, or waiting beside water. The result feels closer to a treasure hunt than a standard sightseeing route, though I would avoid calling it a simple scavenger game. You are visiting real public artworks spread across several municipalities west of Copenhagen.

The tour begins at 9:00 a.m. and lasts about four hours. The six listed stops take roughly 15 to 30 minutes each, so the rest of the time is used for driving and moving between sites. That is important. You get a clear sample of the project, not a leisurely afternoon at each sculpture.

A private car solves the hardest part. The sculptures are not gathered in one compact park, and reaching them all by public transport would require planning, walking, and transfers. Pickup is offered, and private transportation is included. One outing used a clean, cozy Tesla with a guide named Vinod, though you should confirm the vehicle and guide when booking if those details matter to you.

Hill Top Trine gives you a playful start

The first stop is Hill Top Trine in Hvidovre. She rests on a small hill with a view over Avedøresletten, an open area that gives this first visit some breathing room.

The clever detail is her hands. You can crawl into her palms and use the elevated spot to look out across the area. It is a good introduction to the tour’s basic idea: these sculptures are built for interaction. You are not simply stopping to take a photograph and climb back into the car.

You have about 15 minutes here. That is enough to see the sculpture, try the hand pose, and take in the view. If you have young children, this is a useful early stop because it immediately shows them that touching and climbing are part of the experience, within reason.

The hill also means the ground may not feel like a city sidewalk. Wear shoes suited to an outdoor outing, and keep in mind that weather can affect the visit. The tour is canceled or rescheduled in poor conditions, so this is not an activity to treat like an all-weather museum.

Sleeping Louis turns a troll into a playhouse

In Rødovre, Sleeping Louis lies on a wooded hill in a quieter spot outside Copenhagen. His mouth is open wide enough for you to crawl inside. You can play there or even rest inside the sculpture.

This is one of the most memorable stops for children because the artwork becomes a small room. It also gives adults a chance to appreciate the scale and construction from close range. The old wood feels more like part of the setting than a barrier between you and the art.

You have about 15 minutes. That sounds brief, but the stop does not need a long explanation once you arrive. You see the troll, enter the mouth, take photographs, and let the children explore.

The phrase secret place should be understood in a practical way. This is a sculpture in a natural setting outside the city center, not a formal attraction with a ticket desk, signs, or indoor facilities described in the tour information. Your guide handles the route, but you should still expect an outdoor stop rather than a fully serviced visitor site.

Oscar under the Bridge has the strongest material story

The third stop in Ishøj is Oscar under the Bridge, made from scrap wood taken from a torn-down watermill and broken pallets from local industries. That gives this sculpture a particularly clear connection to reuse.

The name comes from an artist from Chile who visited Thomas and helped during the building process. Knowing that adds a human touch to the piece. You are not just seeing a giant made from leftover boards. You are also seeing a work tied to local waste materials and an international creative partnership.

This is the longest stop, at about 30 minutes. That extra time suggests a more relaxed look at the sculpture and its setting. It is a good place to listen to the guide’s explanation, inspect the wood, and take photographs without feeling rushed.

I would pay close attention here if the recycled-material side of the project interests you. The tour is not only about giant characters. It also shows how ordinary, unwanted material can become public art with a strong sense of place.

Little Tilde asks you to look across the water

Little Tilde is in Vallensbæk Mose, an area of wild nature and animal life. She watches from the far side of a small lake, and you catch glimpses of her through the trees.

This stop changes the rhythm. Instead of walking right up to the sculpture or climbing inside it, you see her at a distance. That can be less exciting for a child who wants immediate contact, but it gives the visit a different kind of charm. The trees and water help the giant feel as if she belongs to the place.

You have about 15 minutes here. Use that time to find the best viewing point and look carefully through the trees. The sculpture may not be obvious at first, which is part of the appeal. Still, if your group expects six large, close-up photo opportunities, this is the stop most likely to feel restrained.

The setting is also a reminder that this tour is outdoors from start to finish. Conditions underfoot and visibility may change with the weather. The provider specifically requires good weather for the experience.

Teddy Friendly reaches across the stream

In Taastrup, Teddy Friendly is made from local scrap wood. Cutoffs from felled local trees were used for his fur, giving the sculpture a rough texture that suits the character.

Teddy stands by a water stream at a lake and holds out a hand to help people cross. That physical gesture makes the stop easy to understand. The giant is not simply placed beside the water as decoration. He interacts with the route and the people using it.

The visit lasts about 15 minutes. You can take in the woodwork, photograph the hand and water, and enjoy the setting before continuing. I like this stop for the way it shows that recycled art can be friendly and useful at the same time.

The word cross should not be treated as a promise of a full adventure course. The supplied details say Teddy holds out his hand to help people cross, but they do not give specific information about the route, bridge, or conditions. Your guide can explain what is possible when you arrive.

Thomas On The Mountain saves the best view for last

The final stop is Thomas On The Mountain in Albertslund. He sits on top of a hill with a view over the municipality, and his long legs provide a place to sit with friends.

This is a fitting end because it combines the tour’s two main pleasures: a giant sculpture and a view from an outdoor setting. After several short stops, you get a chance to pause, sit, and look outward rather than only at the artwork.

You have about 15 minutes. That is enough for a group photograph on the legs, a final look at the construction, and some time to enjoy the view. The hilltop position may also make this stop feel more open than the woodland and lake locations earlier in the day.

For me, the best feature is the simple invitation to sit with the sculpture. It makes the final stop feel social. You are not rushing through a checklist of names. You are spending a few minutes in the same place as the art.

What the private format adds

The private setup is the biggest practical advantage. Only your group takes part, and the vehicle holds up to four people. That works well for a family, two couples, or a small group of friends who want the day to move at their own pace.

A guide can also make the scattered route easier to understand. Thomas and his team have created many sculptures from recycled materials, and the stories behind the wood, names, and settings add meaning to what you see. A good guide can connect those details instead of leaving you with six large photo stops.

The guide named Vinod has been specifically associated with a dedicated day out, and one group had a clean, comfortable Tesla. Do not assume those details are guaranteed for every booking. If you want Vinod or a particular vehicle, ask South Zealand Tours before confirming.

The four-hour limit keeps the outing manageable. You can see six sculptures in one morning without giving up a whole day. On the other hand, the schedule is fairly tight. Each stop is short, and you will spend part of the tour in the vehicle.

Is $935.81 good value for four people?

The listed price is $935.81 per group, not per person, for up to four people. If four people join, that works out to about $234 per person. For two people, the effective cost is much higher, about $468 each.

That price includes private transportation, all fees and taxes, and bottled water. It does not include lunch. The value depends on what you are trying to avoid. If you would otherwise rent a car, plan a route across several municipalities, and work out how to reach six outdoor sculptures, the convenience has real worth.

I would find the cost easier to justify with four people, especially a family that wants a private outing. I would think harder before booking for one or two people unless the Thomas Dambo sculptures are a major priority.

The tour is also a good use of time for someone who wants a focused half-day. You get six named works, a guide, transport, and no need to solve the route yourself. Just remember that this is a private transport service built around public art, not an admission-based attraction with a long list of facilities.

Who should book this half-day outing?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Families with children who enjoy climbing, crawling, sitting, and playful art
• Small groups of up to four who want private transportation
• Fans of Thomas Dambo’s recycled-material sculptures
• Visitors who do not want to rent a car or plan several stops outside Copenhagen
• Anyone who prefers outdoor art and natural settings to indoor museums

I would be more cautious if you want a slow day with long walks, a full meal, or extended time at each site. The stops are brief, and lunch is not provided. You should also be comfortable with a four-hour outdoor activity that depends on good weather.

Most people can take part, according to the tour information, and public transportation is nearby. Still, the descriptions include hills, trees, lakes, streams, and crawling into sculptures. If anyone in your group has specific mobility needs, ask the provider about the exact conditions before booking.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start. Changes made inside that window are not accepted, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Should you book The Forgotten Giants Private Tour?

Book it if you want to see several of Thomas Dambo’s giants without handling a car rental and a complicated route. The combination of playful sculptures, open-air settings, and private transport makes this a strong choice for families and small groups.

The price is the deciding point. Four people can share the cost, but one or two people may find it hard to justify. If you choose it, wear outdoor shoes, allow for short visits, and bring your curiosity. The best moments come from joining the sculptures at their level: sitting on a giant’s legs, crawling into a mouth, or looking across a lake for a wooden face among the trees.

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 sculptures are visited?

You visit six sculptures: Hill Top Trine, Sleeping Louis, Oscar under the Bridge, Little Tilde, Teddy Friendly, and Thomas On The Mountain.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $935.81 per group of up to four people.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Private transportation, all fees and taxes, and bottled water are included. Pickup is offered.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group takes part in the activity.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the provider cancels because of poor weather, you can receive a different date or a full refund.