The Breckenridge Troll Hike is a fun and easy hike in Colorado where you can see a huge wooden Troll called Isak Heartstone.
Designed by a Danish artist named Thomas Dambo, the friendly Breckenridge Troll is one of nearly 50 unique trolls he has built around the world, including a number in the United States.
This guide explains the location and directions of the Brecktroll, what to expect on the short hike and everything you need to know before you go!
Breckenridge Troll Hike: What to Expect
The Breckenridge Troll Hike is short, flat, and easy for all ages. This is hardly a hike. You only need to walk about 400 feet to reach the Troll from the parking lot and you can do it in less than 5 minutes.
Although it is only a short walk in nature, you are surrounded by pine trees and it is a beautiful setting. Our family really enjoyed the experience.
After a short walk on the “Trollstigen Trail”, you will see Isak Heartstone, the friendly wooden troll sitting on the slope of a hill and looking at you. Fun! He has his arm wrapped around a jaw.
This place is becoming more and more popular now, so you may have to wait in line for a few minutes to take photos. Please don’t climb on the Troll so that we can all enjoy it for many years to come.
Children can easily do this hike, and it is flat enough to be suitable for walkers and wheelchairs even in summer, although the trail is not officially designed according to ADA standards.
After reaching the Breck Troll, turn the corner and follow the loop to the trailhead. However, if you want to go further, you also have the option of continuing on The Illinois Creek Trail.
As always, remember to keep the trail clean, take into account other hikers and leave no trace. Thank you and have a nice trip!
Where’s the Troll in Breckenridge? Location/Route
The Isak Heartstone Troll is located in Breckenridge, Colorado, at the Illinois Creek Trailhead, located near the Stephen C. West Ice Arena.
The starting point is only a 5-minute drive from downtown Breckenridge and is also easily accessible from neighboring towns such as Frisco, Silverthorne, Dillon or Vail.
You can use the map below to go directly to the parking lot (or click here). Most of the parking is reserved for the ice rink, but there is free parking next to the trailhead, marked with a troll sign. You can use them for hiking when they are open.
If the troll parking lot is full, you can also park at the south/North Breckenridge Gondola lots and walk to the trailhead for 20 minutes on foot, 5-10 minutes by bike or Bus. The Breck Free Ride departs regularly from Breckenridge Station.
Interesting facts about Isak Heartstone
Isak Heartstone, the Breckenridge Troll, is a 15-foot-high wooden sculpture made by The Danish artist Thomas Dambo from recycled wood waste.
Thomas has built about 50 similar trolls in states such as Florida, Maine and Wyoming, and outside the United States he has also made trolls in Europe, China, Singapore and South Korea.
You can read more about the artist (and see a map of his many troll creations) on his website here.
The Breckenridge Troll was built in 2018 as an exhibit for the Breckenridge International Arts Festival. After the Festival, Isak became famous and attracted thousands of visitors to Breckenridge who wanted to see him. The locals complained and there were plans to move or finish the sculpture.
Fortunately, Isak Heartstone was saved by moving to its current location in 2019, where it remains to this day. We hope he stays there permanently because he is a fun piece of art.
