An Open-Air Sculpture Hunt for Giants
SUSTAINABLE SUMMER FUN OUTSIDE COPENHAGEN
Looking for a fabulous way to spend a day exploring the countryside around Copenhagen? Let’s go looking for giants! Danish artist Thomas Dambo has hidden 6 Forgotten Giants in green spaces southwest of the city.
Most are hidden within one to two kilometers from a train station making it possible to ride your bicycle to your treasure hunt. We rented an electric car and carpooled with friends for the day as we wanted to bring along our portable grill, pølsers and picnic provisions.
With littles in tow, we found that targeting three giants made for a perfect half-day outing. We had plenty of time to seek and to find and play along the way. We stopped mid-hunt to grill hot dogs and roast marshmallows and play football. With children ranging in ages from 5 to 11, our day out tracking down these friendly beasts took us about 4-5 hours with a planned picnic in the middle.
Don’t have a car? Just visiting Copenhagen? Rent a bicycle and follow the map below. You can take your bike right on the S-trains. This route starts at Copenhagen’s Central Station but can start anywhere and jump in at any stop.
MAP KEY:
RED = S-tog or S-trains
BLUE = Bicycle routes between
GREEN = The 6 Forgotten Giants
#1 Sovende Louis | Sleeping Louis | Rødovre
Closest to Copenhagen, Sleepy Louis lounges lazily waiting for you to wake him. He is the only giant that you can crawl right inside. But beware – he might wake at any moment!
TRAIN: Take B-line towards Høje Tåstrup
STOP: Brøndbyøster Station
DISTANCE TO GIANT: 1.4 km
PARKING: Take first left after Absalon Camping, park at left end of lot.
TIP: Follow the paved path past fitness station. Look for a trail up towards your left after the bend.
I have a big bunch of siblings, but we are hidden from people. They call us The Forgotten Giants. My sister Trine sits in Avedøre. In the field behind the hill where there are sheep and cows.”
#2 Bakke top Trine | Hilltop Trine | Quark Naturcenter in Hvidovre
Hilltop Trine is huge. She leans against a hillock in Hvidovre with an outstretched hand waiting to hold you. Her size makes your littles look Lilleputian by contrast. This is a perfect place for a picnic if it pleases your people. A fire pit for roasting pølsers or marshmallows is available. Enjoy at nearby picnic tables or play in the shelters. Bring your own supplies.
BIKE: There is no direct train connection to Hilltop Trine. Take the easy flat bike ride, nearly a straight between the 2 giants.
DISTANCE BETWEEN GIANTS: 5.3 km
PARKING: From Byvej turn right into Filmbyen. Park on the left before fences, walk down path along the field to the Naturcenter.
TIP: Trine hides on the back of the hill behind the chicken coops. To reserve the shelters and get a key for the toilets – reserve ahead with Quark Naturcenter. (As of 21st June, all slots for the summer are booked.)
#3 OSCAR UNDER BROEN | Oscar under the Bridge | Ishøj Strand
Say goodbye to Trine and get on your bike towards the Avedøre Station. Hop on the A-line train here towards Sølrod Strand and pop off at Ishøj. Oscar hides under the bridge near the beach. Carefully climb down and find him hanging out by the water. Cool off in the surf at the beach or grab an ice cream or ice coffee at Ka’nalu Café right at Ishøj Strandpark.
TRAIN: Take A-line towards Sølrod Strand Station
STOP: Get on Avedøre Station, get off Ishøj Station.
DISTANCE FROM GIANT: 1.8 km
PARKING: If driving, park car at Ishøj Strand.
TIP: Walk towards playground and café and continue down the path until the first bridge. Take a right and look under.
Want to really go for it and catch all 6 in one day? You can do it! It is about 5 km from Oscar to the Vallensbæk Mose where you can find Lille Tilde and Thomas on the Mountain. See more about these magical giants and meet Teddy Friendly here on our first day out.
Found some yourself? Who is your favorite? I think I love Trine and Tilde the best. Cheers from Copenhagen, Erin
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it looks like such a fun day out – i don’t think we’ll have time this time around, unfortunately…
what a fun activity! #farawayfiles
OMG, Denmark and its giant sculptures. This looks like so much fun!
What a great way to spend a summer day! It’s hard to beat giants and campfires!
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These are just so cool! Would love to see them whenever I make it to Denmark! #FarawayFiles
We just took my mom to see one of them when she was here! They are definitely impressive. Cheers from Copenhagen, Erin
These giants are just so wacky, I LOVE them (particularly Oscar, the name of one of my kids!)
We loved Oscar! It was hard to get a good pic of him as you literally have to get into the water to get fit him all in!
Oh I love these they look so fascinating #farawayfiles
They are indeed charming and inspiring to all ages! Cheers from Copenhagen, Erin
These giants are something that I would love to see and visit. There are some giant puppets based (I think) in Nantes. They tour around the world and a couple came to Perth. Hundreds of thousands of people came out to see them walking down the main street.
That would be cool!
This is such a brilliant idea for a day out with children. Mine would adore this. I love that you can climb all over the giants too. #FarawayFiles
It’s actually a popular day out without kids as well!
I had no idea about these giants until a HS classmate who recently moved to Copenhagen posted pictures and then I saw your post 🙂 They look so cool and I know my son would love to see them!
Double reasons to come to Copenhagen!
Totally want to come and do this, love these giants more and more everytime I see them! #FarawayFiles
Looks like fun for the kids 🙂
Fun for all ages!
Cute! What a fun day out for the kids – and adults! My Dad was like this with trolls in Norway, absolutely obsessed with hunting for trolls! Mum got sick of all the troll figurines he bought 😛 I will have to bring him back a souvenir from my Nordic trip in October. I wish I could have longer in Copenhagen to explore all the wonderful things you write about. Another time! #farawayfiles
Haha! Yes those trolls in Norway!
This is such a cool way to make people go outside the city and explore. I know a lot of exhibitions and sculptures like this start as something temporal but end up staying on site because the public likes it too much. I really like these! #farawayfiles
Yes – I don’t know how long they’ll stay – which is why we really wanted to get out and see them now!
I must say this activity of finding giants is a great activity for families and friends. Love the video, Erin, and I like that shot of the giants’ hands and feet 🙂 #FarawayFiles
Thanks so much Kat! It is a delightful day out!
What super wacky giants! My kids would love climbing over these. I love your ‘getting there’ tips too #FarawayFiles
Thanks kindly! Cheers from Copenhagen – thanks for joining #FarawayFiles, Erin
I like Oscar under the bridge! The giants literally are giant aren’t they! What a wonderful day out and a great idea to take the hotdogs and marshmallows always a favourite with my kids! #FarawayFiles
I just love this! There are absolutely no excuses why one couldn’t have an amazing day out giant hunting! Your video is pretty awesome too, great music and transitions! #farawayfiles
Thanks Hilary!
What an awesome collection of interactive artworks! They look like they’ve always been there, sitting on the sides of hills. It sounds like you all had the perfect day out with football and a picnic thrown in as well! #farawayfiles
It was the perfect day out! Cheers from Copenhagen! Erin
Such an interesting and weird thing! I LOVE it! ha. Looks like a really fun day out! #farawayfiles
Wow! Out of a sea of un-helpful travel blogs I am so happy to have found yours! Many thanks for providing useful, succinct info for finding the wooden giants in Denmark.
Oh thank you! Happy to have been found useful! Cheers and happy hunting!