When I was a kid, I went on a vacation to Denmark with my parents and little did I know, it would turn into one of the most unforgettable adventures of my childhood. Denmark wasn’t just another postcard-perfect place; it felt like stepping into a real-life storybook. Hidden in its green countryside were six enormous giants, which are massive wooden sculptures built by recycling artist Thomas Dambo, just waiting to be discovered. They weren’t in museums or marked on any tourist maps. No—these giants were scattered like secret treasures and finding them felt like being part of a wild, magical quest.
We decided to turn our trip into a real-life treasure hunt. With bikes rented and a special map shared by Thomas himself in hand, we set out to find these elusive giants, pedaling through forests, meadows, villages and quiet trails.
The first giant we stumbled upon was Sleeping Louie. He wasn’t the biggest, but he had the most character, lying on his side with his mouth wide open, mid-snore, like he’d just dozed off in the middle of a conversation. And guess the best part? He was completely hollow. I actually climbed inside his mouth! It was part sculpture, part playground and totally unforgettable.
Next up was Hilltop Trine, but things didn’t go exactly as planned. Halfway there, my bike’s tyre gave up on me with a dramatic hissss. Just like that, our smooth ride turned into a hot, uphill trudge. But we kept going because the giants were worth it and my dad’s a bit of a no-giver-upper! Quitting just isn’t in my dad’s vocabulary.
Fortunately for us, a kind Danish helped us with the puncture repair kit which let us go on for some more distance. When we finally reached Hilltop Trine, she looked like a gentle giantess sitting peacefully on a hill, a knee tucked in and arms stretched wide like she was offering a hug to the whole world. Her massive wooden hands even made the perfect spot to sit and snap a picture. Our tired legs and sore feet were instantly forgotten.
After revealing the giants, we were too worn out to lug the deflated bike all the way back to Copenhagen city. So, we decided to search for a train station and started following along a railway line. That’s when we discovered something incredible, a special train designed with cycle racks for cyclists! We rolled our bikes right onto it and watched the Danish countryside glide past the window as we sat back, exhausted but beaming. It was the perfect end to a day full of fantasy, wonder and wooden giants.
To this day, that journey reminds me that the best adventures aren’t always about the destination, they’re somewhat about chasing hidden forgotten giants, conquering challenges and making memories you’ll never forget.
Link to Thomas Dambo’s map: https://www.thomasdambo.com/trollmap
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