Entry No. 37 — the Portland file — filed under: folk art
Portland Troll Bridge (Ole Bolle Trestle)
An old wooden railroad trestle (the McNamee trestle) off Hwy 30 whose underside has been colonized for years by a growing crew of troll dolls — mostly brightly-haired toy Troll figures that visitors bring and add themselves, paying the informal 'troll toll' to keep the tradition going. (The nearby giant 'Ole Bolle' troll is a separate roadside figure.)
The story
Off Highway 30 in the Burlington area, right across from Sauvie Island, NW McNamee Rd winds into a fern-draped forest before passing under a rickety wooden railroad trestle. Look closely up at the timber beams overhead and you'll realize you aren't alone: hundreds of brightly-haired, plastic toy troll dolls are wedged into the structural joints, staring down at passing traffic.
This isn't a city-sanctioned art exhibit, and despite the local nickname, don't confuse it with Ole Bolle—the giant wooden troll sculpture built nearby. The trestle is purely crowdsourced folk art. For years, passersby have quietly pulled over to leave small toy figures tucked into the crevices of the wood, paying an informal 'troll toll' to keep the roadside colony growing.
What it's like
Drive out toward Sauvie Island and turn onto NW McNamee Rd, keeping an eye out for the timber railroad trestle overhead. You'll need to pull off onto the narrow roadside shoulder carefully, as traffic can come around the bend quickly. Walk beneath the bridge and look up into the dark notches between the wooden beams to spot the neon hair, plastic eyes, and tiny figures tucked high out of easy reach. Bring a small plastic troll doll of your own if you want to contribute to the beams, and wear shoes you don't mind getting damp or muddy.
The move: Drive out toward Sauvie Island, pull off on NW McNamee Rd, and walk the underside of the trestle hunting for your favorite hand-placed troll among the hundreds tucked into the beams — bring a small one of your own to leave behind.
- 📍 Burlington / NW McNamee Rd (near Sauvie Island)
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 16498 NW McNamee Rd, Portland, OR 97231
Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Pope House Bourbon Lounge — After standing under a damp timber trestle off Highway 30, head back toward NW Portland to dry off inside an 1890 Victorian house with a quiet pour of bourbon.
- The Skeleton Key Odditorium — Pair a roadside folk-art spot in the woods with a downtown storefront filled with vampire mannequins and weird historical oddities.
- Shanghai Tunnels Underground Tour (Old Town Pizza & Brewing) — Trade looking up into the timber joints of an outdoor trestle for looking up at the brick archways of Old Town's subterranean corridors.
Good to know
Where exactly is the Portland Troll Bridge?
It is located at 16498 NW McNamee Rd in Portland's Burlington area, just off Highway 30 across from the turnoff for Sauvie Island.
Is this the same site as the giant Ole Bolle troll?
No. The giant 'Ole Bolle' troll is a separate, large wooden roadside sculpture located in the area. The Troll Bridge refers specifically to the McNamee railroad trestle colonized by hundreds of small plastic toy figures.
Can I bring my own troll to add to the bridge?
Yes. Visitors routinely bring small toy troll figures and wedge them into the notches and beams beneath the trestle as an informal 'troll toll.'
Is there an admission fee or parking lot?
No. It is an open roadside site with no admission fees or formal parking lot. Visitors park along the gravel shoulder of NW McNamee Rd.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Atlas Obscura · adventurespnw.com · Facebook
last checked: 2026-07-20