Troll Hunting in Raleigh

Ten-foot-high trolls have taken over Raleigh, and I'm happy to report that I've made contact.

A few weeks ago, my son, husband, and I hiked through Dix Park to meet the creations of Danish artist Thomas Dambo—massive wooden giants built entirely from recycled materials. Dambo has installed over 100 of these sculptural trolls worldwide since 2014, each one nestled into its landscape as if it had always been there. His mission: "to create art that inspires people to explore, have adventures in nature, and show that recycled goods can be turned into something beautiful."

We met Daddy Bird Eye first. His weathered plank face watched us approach, and conveniently, he came equipped with a QR code mapping the rest of his family scattered throughout the park. The hunt was on.

We rambled through Dix Park's 308 acres—currently transforming into Raleigh's answer to Central Park—discovering each member of the troll family: Mother Strong Tail and her triplets Dix, Dax, and Dux. Each encounter felt like stumbling upon an old friend. My favorites were baby Dix, peeking shyly through the trees, and Mother Strong Tail, whose massive recycled tail sweeps protectively around her young.

What makes Dambo's work so compelling is the scale and honesty. These aren't cute garden ornaments—they're monumental presences built from discarded pallets and planks, every nail visible. They transform trash into guardians, and in doing so, transform an ordinary Sunday hike into something magical.

The trolls will remain at Dix Park through 2026. Plenty of time for your own troll hunt.