Sitting at 15-feet tall, the massive troll dubbed Isak Heartstone is back and once again, you’re able to reach him with a short hike through the woods.
This massive wood troll sculpture created by Danish artist Thomas Dambo was deconstructed from his spot on East Wellington Trail in Breckenridge, Colorado after sparking massive controversy. Once news of the troll’s location broke online, nearby residents became outraged with the increase in foot traffic of troll seekers in their area, so much so that it led to a multi-month debate about the troll’s future and ultimately resulted in the trolls removal.
Photo Credit: Chancey Bush.
Roughly a year after its initial August construction, the troll has been rebuilt in a new spot and is once again open for visitors. Now, you’ll find Isak Heartstone near the Illinois Gulch trailhead. He’s on a trail built just for him – Trollstigen Trail – which can be found on the south end of Breckenridge off of Boreas Pass Road. There’s no troll-dedicated parking at the trailhead, so plan accordingly.
According to GoBreck.com, this trailhead can be reached via 15-minute walk from the town’s Welcome Center at 203 S. Main St. They describe the Illinois Gulch trailhead to be in the southeast corner of the Breckenridge Ice Rink with Trollstigen Trail on the left. Once on the correct trail, it’s approximately a .25-mile one-way hike to the troll.
This close-up shows the texture of the troll. Photo Credit: Chancey Bush.
The troll sculpture was originally created as part of the 2018 Breckenridge International Festival of Arts – a $40,000 commission. Costs regarding the removal and rebuild of the troll have not been released.
Here’s a look at troll in its original spot for comparison:
This giant troll is actually called Isak Heartstone, created by Thomas Dambo. This photo shows the troll at its first location. Photo Credit: Jenise Jensen, courtesy Breckenridge Creative Arts.
Note that if you’re visiting the troll in its new location, it’s crucial that you do your part to take care of the troll and the trail. Pack out any waste you produce and don’t damage the troll. If you see something suspicious going on, report it to local authorities. This troll isn’t built to last forever, but it will stay in its spot longer if it’s taken care of.
Follow along with this author's adventures on Instagram at @spence.outside
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