Seattle Trolls!


Seattle’s troll fever isn't just folklore—it’s modern art magic on a huge scale. Here’s what you need to know about the beloved trolls making chatter around the Greater Seattle area:


🧌 What Are the Trolls?

Seattle’s original icon, the Fremont Troll, is an 18‑foot concrete sculpture clutching a VW Beetle under the Aurora (George Washington Memorial) Bridge. Created in 1990 to limit loitering under the bridge, it has since become a cultural emblem created by artists Steve Badanes, Will Martin, Donna Walter, and Ross Whitehead.

In 2023, Danish environmental artist Thomas Dambo and a team of about 200 volunteers brought a new wave of trolls to the Puget Sound region as part of the “Northwest Trolls: Way of the Bird King” project—a fun, sustainable installation built entirely from recycled wood and drift materials.


Why Are They There?

  • Fremont Troll: Commissioned by the Fremont Arts Council to transform a neglected under‑bridge area into creative public art, discourage littering, and reinforce Fremont’s quirky identity.
  • Dambo’s Trolls: Designed to highlight environmental stewardship, give new life to recycled materials, and celebrate shared values between Coast Salish tribal communities and Nordic folklore traditions.


Who Made Them?

  • Fremont Troll: Four local artists in 1990, as part of a community-led arts project.
  • Northwest Trolls: Conceptualized and built by Danish artist Thomas Dambo, supported by the Scan Design Foundation and Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, in cooperation with Coast Salish tribal partners.

How Many & Where to Find Them

Troll Name

Location

Fremont Troll

Fremont neighborhood, under Aurora Bridge, Seattle

Bruun Idun

Lincoln Park, West Seattle

Frankie Feetsplinters

Outside National Nordic Museum, Ballard

Jakob Two Trees

Rainier Trail near Issaquah

Pia the Peacekeeper

Sakai Park, Bainbridge Island

Oscar the Bird King

Point Robinson Park, Vashon Island


That’s six total trolls in the region—five new ones plus the classic Fremont Troll. Dambo’s installations are set to remain in place for at least three years, though some may last longer if maintained well.


How to Visit Them

  • Free to explore and publicly accessible—no admission required thanks to foundation support.
  • Fremont Troll: Walk to N. 36th St at Troll Avenue under Aurora Bridge.
  • Bruun Idun: Hike into Lincoln Park’s wooded glades in West Seattle.
  • Frankie Feetsplinters: Visit Ballard’s National Nordic Museum—troll is right outside on Market St.
  • Jakob Two Trees: Located along paved Rainier Trail in Issaquah—stroller and wheelchair friendly.
  • Pia the Peacekeeper: Head to Sakai Park on Bainbridge Island; combine with a ferry trip.
  • Oscar the Bird King: Short walk from Point Robinson’s upper parking lot on Vashon Island; fun day trip by ferry.

Visiting multiple trolls? Plan ahead—many recommend dedicating a day per destination to fully enjoy both the art and the surrounding nature.


Trolls in Seattle have evolved from quirky public sculpture to meaningful environmental artworks and neighborhood icons. From the classic Fremont Troll under the bridge to Dambo’s whimsical wooden giants scattered around West Seattle, Issaquah, Vashon, Bainbridge, and Ballard—these sculptures combine storytelling, sustainability, and local pride.


Ready to head out for troll-hunting?

Plan your day, photograph the trolls, discover hidden parks, and enjoy the Pacific Northwest outdoor beauty. Contact me today to help you weave these magical stops into your local real estate lifestyle or travel itinerary! Reach out via my phone at (206) 643-8845 or visit www.luxurypnw.com—let’s make your Pacific Northwest story extra enchanting.


#SeattleTrolls, #FremontTroll, #ThomasDambo, #NorthwestTrolls, #PublicArtSeattle, #SeattleAttractions, #PNWArt, #RecycledArt, #EcoArt, #BallardTroll, #WestSeattleTroll, #IssaquahTroll, #VashonTroll, #BainbridgeTroll, #SeattleTours, #FamilyFriendlyPNW, #ArtInNature, #SeattleHiddenGems, #ExploreSeattle, #LuxuryPNW


Location: Seattle, WA, USA

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