Copenhagen: Private Forgotten Giants E-Bike Treasure Hunt

The best part of this Copenhagen outing is that it gets you beyond the postcard center and into the open spaces west of the city. You ride a Maravelo e-bike to meet Thomas Dambo’s enormous recycled-wood figures, including Sleeping Louis, Little Tilde, Thomas on the Mountain, and Teddy Friendly.

I like the easy bike routes and the way this tour combines parks, lakes, suburban paths, and Zealand countryside. I also like the useful extras: a Livall high-tech helmet, water, and an Osmo Pocket camera for high-quality video.

The main drawback is the pace. Three and a half hours is enough for a good ride and several sculpture stops, but not much extra time for coffee, lunch, or a relaxed return. If you prefer to stop often, you may find the final part rushed.

Key things to know before you book

• Four giant sculptures are named on the route: Sleeping Louis, Little Tilde, Thomas on the Mountain, and Teddy Friendly.
• The ride covers several western suburbs, including Glostrup, Høje-Taastrup, Albertslund, and Valensbæk.
• A Maravelo e-bike is included, making the route suitable for different biking levels.
• The tour is private, so the pace and conversation are more personal than on a large group ride.
• The route takes about 210 minutes, with roughly 30 minutes riding from Copenhagen, 50 minutes around Glostrup, 80 minutes around Høje-Taastrup, and 45 minutes through Albertslund.
• You must be at least 14, and the guide can lead the tour in English, Danish, Russian, or Arabic.

Why these Forgotten Giants make a good Copenhagen side trip

Thomas Dambo’s Forgotten Giants are large outdoor sculptures built from local scrap wood and other recycled materials. They are not polished palace ornaments or museum pieces. They are playful, rough-edged, and made to be found in public spaces.

That makes the ride feel like a treasure hunt rather than a standard sightseeing circuit. You are not simply driven from one attraction to another. You follow bike paths and open routes, look for huge wooden figures, and see how local parks can become part of an art project.

I like the idea behind the sculptures. Dambo uses materials that might otherwise be thrown away, then places the finished figures in areas where people can reach them for free. The art is designed for the outdoors, and local families use the surrounding parks as everyday recreation spaces.

The figures also give the trip a clear purpose. A normal bike ride through Copenhagen’s outskirts might be pleasant but hard to organize on your own. Here, each giant gives you a goal, and the route links several parts of western Zealand into one outing.

Starting at Bådehavnsgade 42P

You meet outside BetaFactory Trifolium at Bådehavnsgade 42P, 2450 København SV. This is the practical starting point for the private ride, and you should allow enough time to find the meeting spot before the scheduled departure.

The tour begins with equipment and bike orientation. This matters if you have never used an electric bike or have not ridden one in Denmark before. The Maravelo is designed for easy, safe riding, and the tour is intended for different biking levels.

You receive a Livall high-tech safety helmet and a bottle of water. The Osmo Pocket camera is also included for high-quality video shooting, a nice extra if you want a record of the ride rather than relying only on phone snapshots.

You are not joining a huge group. The private format gives you a guide focused on your party, which can make it easier to ask about the sculptures, the route, and the places you pass. The guide languages are English, Danish, Russian, and Arabic.

The first 30 minutes from Copenhagen

The opening electric-bike ride lasts about 30 minutes. This section takes you away from the starting point and toward the western side of the city.

It is useful to think of this as a transition, not a major sightseeing stop. You are getting comfortable with the bike, learning how the route works, and leaving the more familiar central Copenhagen setting behind.

The e-bike matters here. A regular bicycle would still be possible for many riders, but electric assistance makes the outing less demanding and helps keep the group together. You can focus more on the scenery and less on maintaining speed.

The route is also a good fit if you want to see a side of Copenhagen that does not appear on the usual canal, palace, and design itineraries. The experience is less about famous buildings and more about how the city connects to its outer districts and green spaces.

Glostrup: the first stretch of open riding

The Glostrup section lasts about 50 minutes. This is where the ride begins to feel like a proper local outing rather than a simple transfer from the meeting point.

You can expect bike paths, suburban scenery, and stretches of open space. The route is designed to show you more than the city center, and the guide helps connect the ordinary surroundings with the larger story of the Forgotten Giants.

This is one of the tour’s strongest features. You see places most short Copenhagen visits skip, including parks where local residents spend time with children and friends. The sculptures do not sit apart from daily life. They are part of it.

The route also uses safer bike paths, which helps make the ride approachable. Denmark is famous for cycling, but a visitor can still feel unsure about traffic, road signs, and route choices. Having a guide removes much of that worry.

Høje-Taastrup and the longest sculpture section

The Høje-Taastrup portion takes about 80 minutes, making it the longest part of the planned route. This is likely where the treasure-hunt character becomes most important, with time set aside for sculpture stops and the surrounding scenery.

The named figures include Little Tilde and Thomas on the Mountain. Their names hint at the lighthearted style of the project. These are sculptures meant to surprise you, make you smile, and encourage you to look closely at parts of the region you might otherwise pass by.

Sleeping Louis and Teddy Friendly are also part of the advertised four-giant route. Since the exact order can depend on the day’s route and timing, listen carefully to the guide’s explanation at each stop.

There is one practical point to keep in mind. One recent account described seeing three of the giants and feeling that the ride was rushed. The planned experience names four sculptures, but the time available is limited. If seeing every figure is your top priority, confirm the day’s exact route with the guide at the start and ask how much time is planned at each stop.

That is not a reason to reject the tour. It is simply the key issue to understand. A 210-minute outing covering several districts has to keep moving.

Albertslund and the ride back

The Albertslund section is listed at about 45 minutes and leads into the return to Bådehavnsgade 42P. By this point, you have spent several hours outside, ridden through different parts of Zealand, and visited the main sculpture sites.

Albertslund adds another change of setting rather than one single headline attraction. You may pass more green areas, paths, and local parks as the route works back toward Copenhagen.

The return is where time management matters most. One account praised the ride but wanted a slower return and a quick coffee stop. That is a fair criticism for anyone who prefers a leisurely outing.

You should not count on a café break during the scheduled ride. Another person enjoyed ice cream or beer by a lake, but that stop appears to have depended on the guide and the timing of that particular outing. A café about 10 minutes from the ending point was also suggested for lunch and coffee.

So, plan any proper meal after the tour rather than expecting one during it. If you want a drink by the water, ask early in the ride whether the schedule allows it.

The Maravelo e-bike and included equipment

The Maravelo electric bike is central to the experience. You are not being asked to tackle a demanding cycling route on a basic rental bike. Electric assistance makes the ride easier to manage and lets people with different levels of cycling fitness take part together.

That said, an e-bike does not remove every physical demand. You still spend about three and a half hours riding, stopping, starting, and getting on and off at the sculptures. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes suited to cycling.

The Livall helmet is another useful inclusion. Safety equipment can be easy to overlook when you are planning a holiday activity, so having a high-tech helmet ready at the meeting point simplifies the morning or afternoon.

The Osmo Pocket camera is an unusual bonus. It is intended for high-quality video shooting, giving you a way to capture the ride and the sculpture stops without having to hold your phone while cycling. Ask the guide how the footage is handled if that is important to you, since the supplied details do not specify how or when the video is delivered.

Water is included, but a longer ride can make you want more than one bottle. Bringing extra water is a sensible choice if you usually drink a lot while cycling.

How the private format affects the ride

The private-group setup is valuable here because the tour is not just a transport service. You are learning about Thomas Dambo’s work, hearing what inspired the sculptures, and moving through places that may not be familiar to you.

A private guide can adjust explanations to your interests. You might want more information about recycled materials, the sculpture designs, local cycling, or the districts on the route. You can also ask for help with the e-bike at any point.

The tradeoff is price. At $213 per person, this is not a budget bicycle rental. The cost covers a 210-minute guided outing, a private group, an e-bike, helmet, camera equipment, and water. For two people or a small group that values a personal guide and a planned route, that package can be reasonable.

The value is weaker if you only want to see one giant or if you are comfortable finding public sculptures on your own. In that case, a regular bike ride or self-guided outing may cost less. You are paying for the route planning, equipment, local guidance, and the chance to connect several sculptures in one trip.

What the ride does especially well

The strongest part of the experience is its mix of fun and ordinary local scenery. The giants are the obvious draw, but the ride also introduces you to parks and paths you probably would not choose without a reason to go there.

I also like that the art has a clear environmental idea behind it. The sculptures are made from local scrap wood and recycled materials, so the guide can discuss both the creative process and the practical message. You get more context than you would by simply finding a giant, taking a photo, and leaving.

The route is also praised for its varied scenery and safe bike paths. It is a good way to learn how an e-bike feels while seeing the outer parts of Copenhagen rather than repeating the usual central sights.

The guide makes a real difference. The available comments describe guides as friendly, enthusiastic, and generous with their time. No guide names are provided, so I cannot point you to a specific person, but the experience is clearly built around personal guiding rather than a recorded commentary.

Where the tour may not suit you

This is not the right pick if you want a slow day with long café stops. The route has several districts and four named sculptures to cover, all within 210 minutes.

It may also disappoint you if you expect a city-center tour. Most of the appeal is outside the main sightseeing core, with suburban roads, parks, and open areas taking up much of the ride.

Children under 14 cannot join. For older teenagers and adults who can handle several hours on a bike, the electric assistance should make the route manageable, but the tour still requires active participation.

Finally, the exact number of sculptures reached may be affected by time. The advertised route includes four, while one outing reached three and felt rushed. Ask about the current plan at the start if a complete four-giant circuit is essential to you.

Who should book this e-bike treasure hunt

I would choose this for someone spending several days in Copenhagen who has already seen, or does not care much about, the central sights. It is also a strong match for couples, friends, and families with children aged 14 or older who want a shared outdoor activity.

You will probably enjoy it most if you like public art, light adventure, cycling, and unusual neighborhoods. It is especially useful for anyone who wants an easy introduction to electric bikes without arranging equipment and directions alone.

I would hesitate if your mobility, balance, or stamina makes several hours of cycling difficult. I would also hesitate if your main goal is a relaxed meal or a long stop beside a lake. Those extras may happen if the schedule allows, but they are not the core promise.

The cancellation terms help reduce the booking risk: you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start times before committing, since the trip lasts 210 minutes and takes a substantial part of your day.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want to see a less familiar side of Copenhagen, enjoy a well-planned e-bike ride, and like your art with a sense of humor. The combination of four large recycled-wood figures, open-air riding, and a private guide gives you a memorable reason to leave the center.

Skip it if you want a cheap rental, a short ride, or a leisurely schedule. At $213 per person, the value depends on using the guide, equipment, and route. For the right rider, this is a lively and practical way to meet Thomas Dambo’s giants while seeing the parks and outer districts of Zealand.

FAQ

Where does the Forgotten Giants e-bike tour start?

The meeting point is outside BetaFactory Trifolium at Bådehavnsgade 42P, 2450 København SV, Denmark.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts 210 minutes, or three and a half hours.

Which sculptures are included on the route?

The named sculptures are Sleeping Louis, Little Tilde, Thomas on the Mountain, and Teddy Friendly.

Which areas does the bike ride visit?

The route includes Copenhagen, Glostrup, Høje-Taastrup, Albertslund, and Valensbæk.

Is the e-bike included?

Yes. A Maravelo e-bike is included, along with a Livall high-tech safety helmet, an Osmo Pocket camera for high-quality video shooting, and a bottle of water.

What languages can the guide speak?

The live guide can lead the tour in English, Danish, Russian, or Arabic.

Can children join the tour?

No. The activity is not suitable for children under 14.