Glade Anders – Thomas Dambo Troll in Hedeland Nature Park

A playful wooden giant in a Danish nature park

Glade Anders is one of artist Thomas Dambo’s much-loved wooden trolls, hidden among the gentle hills and woodlands of Hedeland Nature Park near Hedehusene. Created largely from recycled wood, the sculpture turns a quiet forest clearing into a small world of fairy-tale imagination. His name means “Happy Anders”, and there is something unmistakably friendly about the seated figure, his huge limbs and expressive face softened by the surrounding trees and birdsong. The troll was installed in 2022, originally linked to a large scout camp that brought young people from across Denmark to the park. That playful origin still shapes the atmosphere around the sculpture today: this is a place for wandering off the main path, exploring, and seeing a familiar landscape through the lens of fantasy.

Part of Thomas Dambo’s global troll family

Glade Anders is troll number 101 in Dambo’s ever-growing series of oversized wooden creatures scattered across Denmark and far beyond. Each is built from scrap wood and offcuts, turning discarded material into something whimsical and welcoming. In Hedeland, Anders is joined by his “mother” Månemor elsewhere in the park, inviting visitors to treat the landscape as a kind of open-air treasure hunt. Here, the giant sits low and approachable, his scale impressive but not intimidating. You can walk around him, notice the layered planks that shape his fingers and toes, and see how the joinery and bolts hold the recycled pieces together. The combination of craftsmanship and rough, visible materials is part of the charm, making the sculpture feel both handmade and robust enough for the Nordic weather.

Forest setting between ski slope and amphitheatre

The sculpture lies north of Hedeland’s ski slope and open-air amphitheatre, in a strip of mixed woodland woven with narrow trails. The approach takes you along soft forest paths, with glimpses of open heath and the occasional view back toward the man‑made hills that define this former gravel-mining area turned recreation landscape. Because the troll is tucked slightly away from the main activity zones, the clearing often feels calm and sheltered. Wind catches the treetops more than the forest floor, and in spring and summer the undergrowth gives the place a green, almost secret character. In autumn the troll is surrounded by leaves underfoot and warm colours; in winter he becomes a stark, photogenic figure against bare branches and pale skies.

Simple, free outing for walkers and families

A visit to Glade Anders is an easy half-day excursion. The walk from the nearest car park is roughly a kilometre on unpaved paths, manageable for most walkers and older children. Sturdy shoes are helpful after rain, as sections can be muddy or uneven. There is no entrance fee or fencing – the sculpture is simply part of the wider nature park and can be visited at any time of day. There are no facilities immediately at the sculpture, so it is worth planning water, snacks and toilet stops in connection with other parts of Hedeland, such as the ski hill, amphitheatre area or other trailheads where amenities may be found. Many visitors combine the troll with a longer walk through the park’s network of trails, viewpoints and lakes.

Photography, storytelling and gentle exploration

Glade Anders naturally lends himself to photos. The contrast between the troll’s scale and the fairly intimate forest clearing offers fun compositions, whether you are framing children in his giant hands or capturing the curve of his back against the trees. Soft, overcast days and low evening light often work well for images, but any time of year offers its own mood. Beyond photography, the sculpture is a springboard for stories. It encourages younger visitors to imagine how the trolls move through the landscape, what they might watch over at night and how they fit into the park’s reclaimed terrain. Adults may appreciate the environmental message: a work that celebrates reuse and quietly illustrates how discarded materials can gain a second life as public art in nature.