A Weekend with the Washington Trolls

When you think of Washington and trolls, your first thought might be the Fremont Troll. But did you know there are five more giant trolls waiting to be discovered across Washington?

Rooted in Norse mythology and folklore, trolls are mysterious creatures said to draw their magic from the natural world. In the Pacific Northwest, Danish artist and environmental art activist Thomas Dambo brought that mythology to life on a spectacular scale. Known as one of the world’s leading recycling artists, Dambo created six larger-than-life trolls throughout the region during the summer of 2023—five in Washington and one in Oregon—completing the project in just seven weeks. Working with tribal groups and Nordic representatives, he sought to weave shared values of cultural connection and protecting the Pacific Northwest’s natural resources into each installation. The result is more than a collection of whimsical sculptures, but also an invitation to explore the landscape, discover stories, and see the natural world through a giant’s eyes.

For Labor Day weekend, we were on the hunt for a dog-friendly trip that would be fun, something we hadn’t done before, and wouldn’t break the bank. Since neither my husband nor I had ever seen any of Thomas Dambo’s trolls in Washington, it seemed like the perfect weekend adventure. A little road-tripping, some giant trolls, and plenty of Pacific Northwest scenery? We were in.

Bruun Idun

West Seattle

Our first stop was in West Seattle. We parked at Lincoln Park and walked down to the water, following the trail until we came upon Bruun Idun within the trees. This troll was nestled in a little opening, playing a wooden flute, just a short walk from the water. People had adorned the wooden toenails with white seashells and I heard many people walking by surprised by stumbling upon it.

It was a marvel to stare at. I tried to take in all the details and appreciate all the hard work that clearly went into its creation.

Oscar the Bird King

Vashon Island

From West Seattle, we hopped on the ferry to Vashon Island. After a quick stop at the Vashon Island Farmer’s Market, we drove over to Point Robinson Park to find our next troll. From the small parking lot, we didn’t have to walk far to see Oscar the Bird King. This troll was crafted in a seated position, holding his finger out. I loved his long beard made of twigs and branches, and his crown made up of birdhouses. Like Bruun Idun, his toenails were covered with white shells.

Out of all of the trolls we saw, I think Oscar may be my favorite.

Pia the Peacekeeper

Bainbridge Island

Day 2 of our weekend adventure started with a ferry ride to Bainbridge Island. Instead of driving on like we did for Vashon, we walked onto this ferry. After grabbing a coffee once we got to Bainbridge, we walked a mile to find Pia the Peacekeeper.

There’s something whimsical about this giant wooden troll, crisscross applesauce, in the middle of a bunch of trees. Visitors can physically step in between her hands and admire her details, including her necklace and hair made of twigs and moss.

Frankie Feetsplinters

Ballard

The hunt for our next troll took us back to Seattle. After disembarking from the Bainbridge ferry, we drove to Ballard to see Frankie Feetsplinters. He guards the entrance of the National Nordic Museum. He’s got a lot of personality, with his spiky hair and funny pose. What I really like about Frankie is that it feels like he’s in motion, stomping on a wooden box and I half expected to hear him roar.

Jakob Two Trees

Issaquah

To see our last Washington troll, we drove east to Issaquah. Located a short walk from the Issaquah Dog Park along the Rainier Trail is Jakob Two Trees, a troll that truly looks like he belongs in the woods. It just feels like the perfect location for a troll. I was amazed by how effortlessly Thomas Dambo and his crew were able to situate this statue within the environment. It looked completely natural that Jakob Two Trees would be standing there, right off the populated trail.

As for the details, he has a necklace made of bird house and an air of curiosity about him. If I had to rank them, I think Jakob may be my second favorite.

Overall, I couldn’t have picked a better way to spend Labor Day weekend. In just two days, we managed to squeeze in plenty of adventure and visit five of Thomas Dambo’s trolls. By the time we headed home, we were exhausted, but happy to have spent the weekend exploring new places, discovering these incredible works of art, and experiencing a little bit of troll magic along the way.