Little Tilde by Thomas Dambo
A recycled-wood troll with a heart for birds, Little Tilde watches over Vallensbæk Mose and invites you into a gentle treasure hunt through Copenhagen’s wild marshland.
Tucked among reeds and willows in Vallensbæk Mose, Little Tilde is one of Thomas Dambo’s beloved wooden trolls from the Six Forgotten Giants series. Built from reclaimed wood and housing dozens of tiny birdhouses, this gentle figure peers out across the lake, turning a quiet patch of Copenhagen’s western marshland into a whimsical blend of public art, wildlife shelter, and nature escape for all ages.
A brief summary to Little Tilde by Thomas Dambo - Troll #16
- Vallensbæk, 2625, DK
- +4553834853
- Visit website
- Duration: 1 to 2.5 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
- Monday 12 am-12 am
- Tuesday 12 am-12 am
- Wednesday 12 am-12 am
- Thursday 12 am-12 am
- Friday 12 am-12 am
- Saturday 12 am-12 am
- Sunday 12 am-12 am
Local tips
- Wear shoes that can handle mud or wet ground, as the final approach to Little Tilde often involves unpaved and occasionally soggy paths near the water.
- Bring binoculars or a zoom lens to enjoy both the birdlife using Tilde’s built-in birdhouses and the wider wildlife of Vallensbæk Mose.
- Combine your visit with nearby Thomas on the Mountain to experience two of the Six Forgotten Giants on a single, leisurely nature walk.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Drinking Water
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Picnic Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
Getting There
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Public transport from central Copenhagen
From Copenhagen Central Station, take S-train line A towards Solrød Strand or Hundige and ride about 20 minutes to Vallensbæk Station. From there, board bus 143 toward Albertslund and travel roughly 10–15 minutes to a stop near Vallensbæk Mose. A standard adult single ticket for the full journey typically costs around 24–36 DKK depending on zones. From the bus stop, expect a 10–15 minute walk on mostly level paths through the park to reach the sculpture, with the final stretch on unpaved ground that may be uneven or muddy after rain.
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Car or taxi from Copenhagen
By car or taxi from the city centre, the trip to Vallensbæk Mose usually takes 20–35 minutes depending on traffic. Drivers generally follow the ring roads and the highway toward Vallensbæk before turning into local streets that lead to parking areas by the marsh. There is usually free or low-cost parking near the park, but spaces can fill on sunny weekends and school holidays. From the parking area, plan on a 10–20 minute walk on mixed paved and natural paths to reach Little Tilde, so comfortable footwear is recommended. A metered taxi from central Copenhagen will commonly range from 250–400 DKK one way, depending on traffic and time of day.
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Cycling from Copenhagen’s western districts
If you are already staying in the western suburbs or near the cycle superhighways, reaching Vallensbæk Mose by bike is a pleasant option. From areas like Rødovre or Hvidovre, expect about 30–50 minutes of cycling on relatively flat terrain, making use of Copenhagen’s dedicated bike lanes and local paths. There is no fee to access the park, and you can lock your bicycle at or near trailheads before continuing on foot. Surfaces within the marsh vary from paved to gravel and dirt, so city bikes are fine for the approach, but the last few minutes to the sculpture are best done walking.
Little Tilde by Thomas Dambo - Troll #16 location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Clear Skies
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Windy Conditions
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Hot Weather
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Cold Weather
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Mild Temperatures
Discover more about Little Tilde by Thomas Dambo - Troll #16
A wooden troll watching over Vallensbæk Mose
Little Tilde waits half-hidden between trees and tall grasses on the edge of Vallensbæk Mose, a marshland west of central Copenhagen. Here, the landscape opens onto still water, low reeds and muddy banks, with flocks of waterfowl crossing the sky. Out of this everyday wetland scene rises a playful giant: a large, seated troll whose long body and curving tail are pieced together from rough wooden planks. From a distance, Tilde’s silhouette appears almost like driftwood washed up along the shore. As you draw nearer, the troll’s expressive face comes into focus, gazing across the lake as if keeping a quiet eye on everything that moves. The sculpture seems to grow organically out of the embankment, rooted in the soil and leaning into the landscape rather than dominating it.Art, recycling and shelter for small creatures
Little Tilde belongs to artist Thomas Dambo’s Six Forgotten Giants, a group of large-scale sculptures created from reclaimed wood and hidden around the suburbs of Copenhagen. Each piece is assembled using discarded pallets, off-cuts and other leftovers from construction sites, transforming scrap into something both monumental and gentle. In Tilde’s case, that creative recycling goes one step further: her hollow body contains a cluster of small wooden birdhouses, offering nesting and winter shelter to birds and squirrels. This blend of art installation and wildlife habitat gives the sculpture a second life beyond its visual impact. Visitors often notice sparrows darting in and out of the openings or hear rustling from within the planks. The message is subtle but clear: materials that might have been thrown away can be reshaped into something that supports both imagination and biodiversity.A quiet corner of Copenhagen’s western marsh
Vallensbæk Mose itself is an inviting patchwork of lakes, reedbeds and light woodland threaded with walking and cycling paths. The ground here can be soft underfoot, with damp meadows and narrow, sometimes muddy trails branching off the main paved routes. Benches and small clearings provide places to pause, watch birds on the water or simply listen to wind moving through the reeds. Little Tilde occupies a more secluded nook of the park, slightly away from the busiest thoroughfares, so reaching her usually involves a short stroll along unpaved tracks. The soundtrack is more likely to be birdsong and the slap of water against the shore than traffic noise. On overcast days the marsh can feel atmospheric and introspective; in bright sunshine, the water sparkles around Tilde’s watchful form.Part of a playful troll treasure hunt
The sculpture is one stop on a wider trail of giants scattered through the western suburbs. Another figure from the series, Thomas on the Mountain, lies within walking distance across the same green area, turning the visit into an informal treasure hunt through nature. Families often weave the search for Tilde into a longer outing in the marsh, combining time at the sculpture with simple picnics and unhurried exploration of nearby paths. Although there is no formal visitor center at the sculpture itself, occasional information boards around Vallensbæk Mose describe the wetland environment and its animal life. The absence of fences and ticket booths adds to the feeling that you have stumbled on something secret: a quietly monumental artwork gifted to the landscape rather than placed in a conventional gallery.Experiencing Little Tilde up close
Standing at the base of the sculpture, you can trace the texture of the rough boards and spot the many individual components that make up Tilde’s body. The tail, curling outward along the ground, emphasizes the troll’s character as a friendly creature of the marsh rather than a fearsome myth. In low evening light, the figure takes on a slightly different mood, more silhouetted against the water and sky. There is no artificial lighting or soundscape here, so the experience shifts with the season: frost may rim the board edges in winter, while summer brings tall grasses brushing against Tilde’s legs. Time spent at the sculpture tends to be unhurried, shaped less by scheduled activities than by how long you choose to linger, watch birds, and let the playful scale of the troll recalibrate your sense of the surrounding landscape.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Tranquil
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- Fun-filled
- Unique
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For the design and aesthetic lover
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For the architecture buff
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For the view chaser and sunset hunter
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For the social media creator & influencer
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For the eco-conscious traveler
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For the kind of experience you’re after
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For how adventurous you want the journey to be
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Location Audience
- Family Friendly
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- Vegan Friendly
