Entry No. 184 — the Denver file — filed under: troll sculpture
Isak Heartstone
A 15-foot recycled-wood troll by Danish artist Thomas Dambo, built for the 2018 Breckenridge International Festival of Arts and now a permanent trailside sculpture reached by a short mountain walk.
The story
In August 2018, Danish artist Thomas Dambo built a 15-foot wooden troll in an old quarry behind a Breckenridge residential neighborhood for the Breckenridge International Festival of Arts. Constructed from scrap pallets, local recycled lumber, and pine branches, the giant got his name after three neighborhood girls handed Dambo a heart-shaped rock, which he installed directly into the sculpture's chest. Within weeks, Isak Heartstone became too famous for his own good. Up to 3,000 visitors a day flooded the quiet Wellington neighborhood, swarming dead-end streets, knocking on private doors for directions, and driving furious residents to demand his removal. Town officials caved that November, dismantling Isak and placing his salvageable pieces into winter storage.
Dambo publicly called for a new home for his "heart-broken troll," and by June 2019, Breckenridge relented. The artist returned with a crew of local volunteers to rebuild Isak in a managed, non-residential location behind the Stephen C. West Ice Arena. Mounted with a hidden aluminum plaque containing a piece of Dambo's global "troll code"—a puzzle linking his worldwide outdoor installations—Isak now sits permanently along the Trollstigen Trail, holding a tree trunk while looking out over visitors who no longer have to trespass on anyone's driveway to see him.
What it's like
Finding Isak is less of a wilderness expedition and more of a five-minute walk on a flat, compacted path constructed to keep foot traffic off private property. You'll hear the hum of the nearby ice arena until the pine canopy swallows you up, revealing the giant sitting in a small clearing surrounded by waiting photographers. The catch is parking: the ice rink lot contains only a tiny handful of designated troll spaces, and local enforcement tickets non-compliant cars quickly. Skip the parking gamble by riding the free Breck Free Ride bus directly to the trailhead stop, or take the easy 15-minute walk south from Main Street. Aim for early morning before 10 a.m. or late afternoon after 5 p.m. to avoid waiting in a queue for photos, and carry ice traction if visiting between November and May when the unmaintained trail freezes over.
The move: Drive up for the day, hike the quarter-mile Trollstigen Trail to meet Isak, then take the longer loop through the forest with Tenmile Range views and grab lunch in Breckenridge after.
📍 Before you go The Trollstigen trailhead hides in the southeast corner of the Stephen C. West Ice Arena lot, but only a handful of troll-marked spaces are meant for visitors and they fill fast — ride the free Breck Free Ride bus to the trailhead stop or walk about fifteen minutes from Main Street instead. The trail itself is a flat, compacted quarter-mile rebuilt to an accessible grade, though it gets no maintenance November through May, so expect packed snow, ice, or mud and bring traction in shoulder season. Bikes stay at the trailhead racks and dogs stay leashed; downtown Breckenridge is close enough to pair the troll with a Main Street wander after.
- 📍 Breckenridge
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: Trollstigen Trail trailhead, Stephen C. West Ice Arena lot, Breckenridge, CO 80424
Hours: Added 2026-06-09 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Sallie Barber Mine — Pair your valley-floor troll visit with a short drive up Bald Mountain to hike to the timber ruins of an 1880s zinc and lead mine.
- The Jessie Mine and Mill — Double down on Breckenridge history by pairing Isak with an exploration of this nearby 19th-century gold and silver processing complex.
- Bread Bar — If you're driving back down I-70 toward Denver after seeing the troll, drop off the highway into Silver Plume for a drink in an 1890s former bakery.
Good to know
Where should I park to visit the Breckenridge Troll?
Parking at the trailhead is extremely limited; the Stephen C. West Ice Arena lot has only a few designated troll spots that fill early. Visitors are encouraged to ride the free Breck Free Ride shuttle to the Ice Arena stop or walk about 15 minutes south from downtown Breckenridge.
How far is the hike to see Isak Heartstone?
The troll is located along the Trollstigen Trail, a flat, accessible quarter-mile path starting from the southeast corner of the ice arena lot. The walk takes roughly five to ten minutes each way.
Is the trail open during the winter?
The trail remains open year-round, but it receives no snow removal or maintenance between November and May. Expect packed snow, mud, and slick ice, so wearing traction devices like microspikes is strongly recommended.
Are dogs and bicycles allowed on the trail?
Dogs are permitted on the Trollstigen Trail but must remain leashed at all times. Bicycles are prohibited on the pedestrian path and must be left at the bike racks located near the trailhead.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: breckcreate.org · gobreck.com · Tripadvisor · thomasdambo.com · Atlas Obscura
last checked: 2026-06-09