Standing at the edge of the redwood grove in Woodside, the air feels a bit different these days. There’s a quiet hum of nature, but also the unmistakable presence of something much larger than us. If you’ve been scrolling through social media lately, you’ve likely seen the towering wooden faces peering out from the foliage at Filoli. These aren't just art installations; they are the residents of the "Trolls: Save the Humans" exhibition by Thomas Dambo. To find them, you’re going to need more than just luck—you’ll need a solid understanding of the Filoli trolls map and the rugged terrain of the estate’s natural lands.

Filoli has always been known for its manicured 16-acre formal garden and the historic Bourn-Roth house, but the arrival of the trolls shifted the focus toward the wilder, untamed parts of the 654-acre estate. It’s a brilliant move that forces us to look past the tulips and into the heart of the forest. Whether you are a dedicated "troll hunter" or just looking for a unique weekend hike, knowing where to go and what these giants represent changes the entire experience.

The Philosophy Behind the Giants

Thomas Dambo, a world-renowned recycle artist from Denmark, creates these massive sculptures entirely from reclaimed materials—mostly scrap wood and discarded pallets. The "Save the Humans" series is particularly poignant. In Dambo’s folklore, these trolls aren't the scary monsters of old fairytales; they are the protectors of the Earth. They are activists. While the older trolls might have given up on humanity, the six individuals stationed at Filoli are here to show us a better way to coexist with nature.

When you look at the map, you aren't just looking for waypoints; you’re tracking a narrative. Each troll has a specific role, from building birdhouses to listening to the whispers of the soil. This context is important because it explains why they are placed where they are. They aren't in the middle of the ballroom or sitting on the tennis court. They are deep in the natural lands, where the real environmental work happens.

Navigating the Filoli Trolls Map

Upon entering the estate, most visitors head straight for the house. However, to find the trolls, you should pivot toward the Natural Lands. The official Filoli trolls map identifies six key locations along the trail system. These trails are a mix of sun-drenched meadows and shaded redwood groves, so the "map" is more of a topographical guide than a simple garden path.

The Starting Point: The Trailhead Store

A relatively new addition to the estate, the Trailhead Store is your base camp. Opened in mid-2025, this spot is essential. Before you head out, grab a physical copy of the map or download the digital version via the QR codes posted. More importantly, check the trail conditions. The path to some trolls involves elevation changes that might be tricky after a spring rain. The store also stocks the "troll essentials"—sunscreen, water, and perhaps a souvenir to commemorate your hunt.

The Route Strategy

The trolls are spread out to encourage exploration. It is often recommended to take a loop approach rather than doubling back. Starting from the Trailhead, you can move toward the southern end of the estate, where the redwoods provide a dramatic backdrop for some of the larger figures, then loop back through the oak woodlands.

Meet the Residents: Who You’ll Find on the Trail

Each of the six trolls has a distinct personality and a physical "gift" they bring to the forest. Understanding their stories makes the moment you round a corner and see a 15-foot wooden head that much more impactful.

1. Basse Buller: The Painting Troll

Basse Buller is hard to miss. Located in a majestic redwood grove, he is the wild spirit of the group. Inspired by the very nature he inhabits, Basse uses stones, leaves, and mud to leave his mark. His goal is to lead humans onto the "right path" through his art. When you find him, look at the ground around him. He often leaves messages written in rocks, like a giant game of forest graffiti. His placement in the redwoods is intentional—the verticality of the trees mirrors his tall, creative energy.

2. Ibbi Pip: The Birdhouse Troll

Ibbi Pip is perhaps the most "handy" of the bunch. She is the optimist who believes that if humans just saw how birds live, they’d be more compassionate. You’ll find her surrounded by colorful birdhouses that she has "built" to bring animals closer to humans. Ibbi is a friend to all creatures, and her location is usually a hotspot for local avian activity. It’s a great place to stop, be quiet, and just listen for a few minutes.

3. Kamma Can: The Treasure Troll

Kamma Can is the ultimate recycler. Where we see trash, she sees potential. She is often adorned with "necklaces" or decorations made from what humans have discarded—plastics, metals, and other colorful refuse. Finding Kamma on the map usually involves a trek through areas where the natural and the man-made intersect. She serves as a colorful, slightly haunting reminder of the "monumental problem of waste," as Dambo puts it.

4. Ronja Redeye: The Speaker Troll

Don't let her size fool you. Ronja is the smallest of the group but undoubtedly their leader. She is the orator, the one who uses rhymes and songs to share the message of the forest. Ronja is often placed in a spot with good acoustics or a commanding view of the meadows. She represents the power of words and heart-led leadership. When you find her, imagine she is reciting a poem to the swaying oaks.

5. Rosa Sun Finger: The Botanical Troll

Rosa is the introvert. She cares for the green creatures with her "life-giving fingers." One of the most striking things about Rosa is her interaction with man-made objects. At Filoli, she is known for upcycling old cars into giant flower pots. She brings life back to places humans have abandoned. Finding her on the trail is like finding a hidden garden within the forest; she is usually tucked into a lush, green corner where the flora is particularly vibrant.

6. Sofus Lotus: The Listening Troll

Sofus Lotus is all about the little things. He is often depicted with his ear to the ground or a tree, listening to the rhythm of nature. At Filoli, he has been known to take up residence under a massive California Bay Laurel tree. Children love Sofus because he is positioned in a way that is very interactive—his large wooden feet and low-slung body make him feel like a natural part of the playground. He was the first to notice the world’s rhythm was changing, and he asks us to do the same: just listen.

Planning Your Trek: Logistics and Timing

A visit to see the trolls isn't a quick 20-minute walk. If you want to see all six and still have time for the formal gardens and the house, you should plan for at least three to four hours.

Weather and Attire

Since it is currently April, the weather in Woodside can be unpredictable. The natural lands are much more exposed than the formal gardens. Sturdy, closed-toe shoes are a must. Some of the trails are dirt paths that can be uneven or dusty. A light jacket is also suggested, as the temperature can drop significantly once you enter the shade of the redwood groves.

Accessibility

While the formal gardens are largely accessible, some parts of the troll trail in the natural lands are more rugged. If you have mobility concerns, it’s worth asking at the visitor center which trolls are the easiest to reach. Usually, Sofus Lotus or Basse Buller are more accessible than those deeper in the oak woodlands.

The Trailhead Store and Dining

After you’ve successfully used your Filoli trolls map to find the giants, you’ll likely have worked up an appetite. The Quail’s Nest Café near the main entrance offers great seasonal fare, but for the troll hunters, the Trailhead Store is the place for quick snacks and drinks. There is a scenic deck there where you can sit and review your photos of the giants while looking out over the redwoods.

The History of the Land: Why Trolls at Filoli?

It might seem strange to put recycled Danish trolls on an estate built by a gold mine tycoon, but the connection is deeper than it looks. Filoli’s name itself is an acronym for William Bourn’s credo: "Fight for a just cause; Love your fellow man; Live a good life."

Bourn and later the Roth family (who were heirs to the Matson navigation fortune) were stewards of this land. They preserved hundreds of acres of California’s natural beauty at a time when much of the surrounding area was being developed. Hosting an exhibition that focuses on sustainability and protecting the environment is a modern extension of that "Live a good life" philosophy.

When you walk the trails, you are walking through history. The Bourns’ Spring Valley Water Company once supplied the water for San Francisco, and the Crystal Springs Reservoir sits just across the road. The estate is a testament to the relationship between human ambition and natural resources. The trolls are simply the newest guardians of that legacy, reminding us that we are guests on this planet.

Tips for the Best Photos

  • Scale: To really show how big these trolls are, have someone stand next to a troll's foot or hand. It provides a sense of wonder that a solo shot of the sculpture might miss.
  • Lighting: The redwood groves offer beautiful dappled light, but it can be dark for smartphone cameras. Aim for mid-morning or late afternoon when the sun is lower and creates a golden glow through the trees.
  • Details: Don't just take wide shots. Get close to Kamma Can’s jewelry or Basse Buller’s "mud" paint. The texture of the reclaimed wood is a huge part of Thomas Dambo’s artistry.

A Note on Stewardship

The message of the trolls is one of conservation. When visiting, stay on the marked trails indicated on your Filoli trolls map. Avoid climbing on the sculptures unless there are signs specifically saying it is allowed (like with Sofus Lotus). The natural lands are home to a variety of local wildlife and delicate plant species; the goal is to leave the forest exactly as you found it, perhaps with a slightly renewed perspective on how you treat the world outside the estate gates.

Filoli continues to evolve. While it will always be a place of historic Georgian Revival architecture and world-class horticulture, the addition of these whimsical giants has brought a new sense of adventure to the Peninsula. It bridges the gap between the formal past and a sustainable future, all while giving us a very good reason to get our boots dirty and explore the woods.

Whether you are visiting for the first time or the fiftieth, grabbing that map and heading into the trees to find Basse Buller or Ronja Redeye is an experience that lingers. It reminds us that even in a world of high-tech and fast-paced living, there is still plenty of room for a bit of giant-sized magic.