Copenhagen: Private Forgotten Giants E-Bike Treasure Hunt

The best part of this Copenhagen outing is the surprise of finding giant wooden people in ordinary parks and open spaces. Thomas Dambo builds these playful sculptures from local scrap wood and recycled materials, then places them where you would never expect to find public art. The route turns four sculptures into an open-air treasure hunt across Greater Copenhagen.

I like the easy Maravelo e-bikes and the chance to see parks and countryside beyond the city center. I also like the small private-group format, since your guide can help you get comfortable with the bike and adjust the pace. The main drawback is time: at 210 minutes, the route covers a lot of ground, and one recent outing felt rushed, with no proper coffee stop and a fast ride back.

Key points before you book

• Four giant sculptures: Search for Sleeping Louis, Little Tilde, Thomas on the Mountain, and Teddy Friendly.
• A real ride outside central Copenhagen: The route passes through Glostrup, Høje-Taastrup, Albertslund, and Valensbæk.
• Private group format: You ride with your own party and a live guide, rather than joining a large coach group.
• Modern equipment: The Maravelo e-bike comes with a Livall safety helmet and an Osmo Pocket camera for high-quality video.
• Best for riders aged 14 and up: The tour is designed for several biking levels, but children under 14 cannot join.
• Bring some time discipline: Water is included, but a café or ice cream stop is not part of the fixed plan.

Why these giant sculptures make a good bike hunt

Thomas Dambo is known for making large public sculptures from reused materials. Here, the art is not placed behind museum doors. It sits in parks, near paths, and among the everyday surroundings of Greater Copenhagen.

That setting matters. You are not simply stopping at four large wooden figures, taking a photo, and moving on. You are also seeing how local parks are used, how the suburbs connect, and how a piece of art can give people a reason to explore a place they might otherwise skip.

The sculptures are playful rather than formal. Sleeping Louis, Little Tilde, Thomas on the Mountain, and Teddy Friendly each have their own personality, and finding them gives the ride a simple goal. You can enjoy the route even if you are not an art specialist. The fun is in the hunt, the scale of the figures, and the contrast between rough recycled wood and the green spaces around them.

I especially like that the project encourages you to look beyond the postcard version of Copenhagen. The city center has its canals, palaces, and design shops. This outing gives you a different Denmark, one of bike paths, suburban parks, open fields, and local recreation areas.

Starting at Bådehavnsgade 42P

The tour begins outside BetaFactory Trifolium at Bådehavnsgade 42P in Copenhagen’s 2450 København SV area. You meet your guide there, receive your equipment, and get acquainted with the Maravelo e-bike before setting off.

The bike is a major part of the appeal. An e-bike can take the edge off a longer ride, especially when you are more interested in enjoying the scenery than testing your legs. The tour is presented as suitable for different biking levels, and the included equipment is more polished than what you would get on a basic rental.

You receive a Livall high-tech safety helmet and an Osmo Pocket camera for high-quality video shooting. The camera is an unusual extra. It gives the outing a small documentary feel, especially if you want a record of the ride and the sculptures rather than only a few phone snapshots.

There is also a bottle of water. I would still plan to arrive hydrated, since the route lasts three and a half hours and does not include a guaranteed café break.

The first 30 minutes: leaving Copenhagen by e-bike

The opening electric-bike ride takes about 30 minutes. This section gets you away from the starting point and into the broader route toward the western suburbs.

The first stretch is useful for learning how the bike feels. If you have not used a Maravelo before, this is the time to get comfortable with its controls, braking, and assisted pedaling. You do not need to treat the ride like a race. The goal is to settle into a steady rhythm before the longer sections begin.

One practical point is worth keeping in mind: a private tour does not automatically mean a slow tour. The guide can shape the outing around your group, but the schedule still has four sculpture visits and several long riding sections. If you want time for long photo sessions, tell your guide early.

Glostrup brings the first change of scenery

The Glostrup portion takes about 50 minutes and is listed as a bike tour rather than only a transfer. This is where the outing begins to feel less like a city ride and more like an exploration of Copenhagen’s outer districts.

You can expect a mix of paths and open views as the route moves through the western side of the capital area. The value here is not one famous sight. It is the chance to see how quickly Copenhagen gives way to quieter parks and green spaces.

This is also a good section for asking questions. The guide can explain the sculptures, the route, and the local areas you pass through. The available guiding languages are English, Danish, Russian, and Arabic, so you can choose the language that works best for your group.

Høje-Taastrup is the longest riding section

The Høje-Taastrup part lasts about 80 minutes, making it the longest section of the day. It is also likely to be the part that most clearly separates this tour from a standard Copenhagen sightseeing ride.

You will spend more time moving through open Zealand scenery and suburban green areas than through historic streets. That makes this section rewarding for anyone who wants to see a less familiar side of Denmark. It also explains why the electric assistance matters. The bike helps keep the outing pleasant when the route continues for several hours.

The treasure-hunt idea works best here. Instead of knowing that a sculpture is waiting beside a major landmark, you are riding through a different setting and looking for something much larger than expected. Little Tilde and Thomas on the Mountain are among the figures connected with this wider route, along with the other two sculptures.

The timing can feel tight if you like lingering. One recent outing included three of the giants and was praised for the scenery and bikes, but the return ride felt rushed. That is a useful warning. You should have enough time to see the main sculptures, but do not expect an unhurried picnic or a long café break unless your guide and group agree to adjust the plan.

Albertslund and the route home

The Albertslund section is listed as a 45-minute electric-bike ride. By this point, you will have covered a good amount of ground, so the assisted bike becomes even more helpful.

Albertslund adds another view of the western Copenhagen area, with parks and paths replacing the dense streets many visitors associate with the capital. The route may also include Valensbæk, which is named among the areas visited during the outing.

The return section is practical rather than a separate attraction, but it gives you time to take in the final stretch of scenery. If you have stopped often for photographs, the pace may need to pick up. If your group prefers a gentler ride, say so at the start. The private format makes that conversation easier, though the guide still has to get you back to Bådehavnsgade 42P on time.

What the guide adds to the experience

A good guide matters here because the sculptures are only part of the outing. The ride itself covers several areas that many Copenhagen visitors do not reach, and a guide helps turn those connections into a coherent day.

The guide explains Thomas Dambo’s use of local scrap wood and recycled materials, along with the ideas behind placing large sculptures in public spaces. The tone is light and informal rather than academic. You are there to ride, search, take photos, and enjoy the odd sight of a giant wooden figure beside a park.

The private format also helps with basic cycling confidence. If you are new to e-bikes, you can ask for help without feeling like you are holding up a large group. Several biking levels are welcome, but you should still be comfortable riding a bicycle for a few hours.

Is the $213 price good value?

At $213 per person, this is not a cheap way to spend a morning or afternoon. The price makes more sense when you look at what is bundled together: a private guide, a Maravelo e-bike, safety equipment, a camera, water, and a 210-minute route that links four sculptures across several parts of Greater Copenhagen.

For a solo visitor, the cost may feel high. For a couple or small private group that wants a tailored ride, the price buys more than a basic bike rental. You are paying for the route planning, the guide, the equipment, and the chance to reach places that would take more effort to connect independently.

The value is strongest if you actively want three things: an outdoor activity, a creative public-art project, and a look at Copenhagen beyond the center. If you mainly want famous city sights or a relaxed café-to-café ride, you may find better use for your money elsewhere.

The high-tech helmet and Osmo Pocket camera also make the package feel more distinctive, although the camera alone should not be the reason to book. The real value is the combination of transport, stories, and access to the sculptures.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this tour to adults, couples, friends, and older teenagers who like active sightseeing. It suits you especially well if you have already seen central Copenhagen and want to spend part of a day outdoors.

It is also a good choice for anyone who finds standard sightseeing too passive. You are moving most of the time, with the sculptures providing clear targets and photo stops. The e-bike keeps the effort manageable, though this is still a cycling tour, not a short ride between nearby attractions.

Children under 14 cannot join. Families with older teenagers may find the private format helpful, since the group can ride together without the pressure of keeping up with strangers.

This is less suitable if you need a guaranteed meal break, dislike riding for several hours, or want a slow schedule with long stops. The fixed route is ambitious for the available time.

Practical details that can shape your day

The tour lasts 210 minutes and runs with a live guide. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule when booking. The group is private, and the guide can speak English, Danish, Russian, or Arabic.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Copenhagen plans are still changing.

Wear clothing that suits outdoor riding and shoes you can pedal in comfortably. The provided water is useful, but I would bring extra water if you normally drink often while cycling. A café stop is not included as a formal part of the route, though one guide suggested a café about 10 minutes from the end for lunch and coffee.

The route is best treated as an active half-day outing. Leave your schedule open enough that you do not have to rush straight to another appointment afterward.

My verdict: book it for the route, not just the sculptures

I think this is a strong choice if you want an unusual Copenhagen experience with real time outdoors. The sculptures are memorable, the e-bikes make the distance manageable, and the route shows you parks and suburbs that are easy to miss from the city center.

Book it if you like light adventure, recycled public art, and the idea of seeing Greater Copenhagen on two wheels. The private format is a real advantage, especially for riders with different levels of confidence.

Skip it if you want a slow, food-focused outing or a tour built around central landmarks. The schedule covers a lot of ground, and the return section may feel hurried if you want long breaks. For the right rider, though, the combination of four giant figures, open-air scenery, and a guide-led e-bike route makes the $213 price easier to justify.

FAQ

Where does the Forgotten Giants e-bike tour begin?

It begins outside BetaFactory Trifolium at Bådehavnsgade 42P, 2450 København SV, Denmark.

How long does the activity last?

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

Which sculptures will I visit?

The route is designed to find Sleeping Louis, Little Tilde, Thomas on the Mountain, and Teddy Friendly.

Which areas does the bike route cover?

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

What is included in the price?

The price includes a local guide, a Maravelo e-bike, a Livall high-tech safety helmet, an Osmo Pocket camera for high-quality video shooting, and a bottle of water.

Can children join the tour?

Children under 14 are not permitted to join.

What languages are available?

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