Isak Heartstone
Breckenridge's 15-foot recycled-wood troll, crouched in the forest at the end of the Trollstigen trail.
About Isak Heartstone
Isak Heartstone is a 15-foot wooden troll by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. He sits in the trees on the south end of Breckenridge, at the Trollstigen trailhead near the Illinois Gulch Trailhead and across from the Stephen C. West Ice Arena. From Illinois Gulch it's a short walk of about a quarter mile, and the trail was upgraded to accessible standards in 2024.
According to the town's own guide, there's no troll parking at the trailhead, and nearby no-parking zones are enforced. The intended approach is to walk about 15 minutes from the Breckenridge Welcome Center on Main Street, bike, or ride the free Breck Free Ride bus.
Few Colorado landmarks are as playful as this one, and it photographs well in summer greenery or fresh snow. Isak is made of wood and sits outdoors, so check the town's current guidance before a special trip.
A 15-foot wooden troll sculpture on the Trollstigen Trail in Breckenridge, easy to reach from the trailhead near the Stephen C. West Ice Arena. It's become one of the more unusual, kid-friendly landmarks in town — a fun stop that doesn't require much of a hike to reach, and shooting from below emphasizes the scale in a way a straight-on shot doesn't.
History
Dambo built Isak in 2018 for Breck Create's Breckenridge International Festival of Arts. He names his trolls after people involved in making them. The "Heartstone" comes from a stone heart that local girls from the Wellington neighborhood gave him to place inside the sculpture.
The troll's popularity overwhelmed its original residential location with traffic, trash and parking. The town dismantled it, and Dambo rebuilt it in 2019 at the current site. Officials turned an existing social trail into the sustainable Trollstigen trail, which means roughly "route of the troll" and borrows the name of a famous Norwegian mountain road. They also added stone benches at the viewing area.
Photographing Isak Heartstone
Best light: Come early or late. The town suggests before 10 a.m. or after 5 p.m. for time alone with Isak. The forest canopy gives soft, even light most of the day, and overcast days are ideal for the weathered wood texture. A fresh snowfall dramatically changes the scene, but the trail isn't maintained in winter.
Shots to look for
- Use a wide lens from the stone benches to fit the whole crouching troll, with the forest wrapping around the frame.
- Put a person in the frame for scale, kneeling near the troll's hands (without touching or climbing on it).
- Make a close-up detail of the face and eyes, where Dambo's reclaimed-wood construction shows best.
- Shoot from low on the approach path, with trees as foreground framing, so the troll appears to peer out of the woods.
- In fresh snow, capture the contrast between the snow-capped wood and the dark spruce behind it.
Photo tips
- Drone photography and videography are prohibited at the site.
- Don't climb on Isak, and don't add anything to the sculpture.
- Don't drive to the trailhead. Walk, bike or take the free bus, because nearby no-parking zones are ticketed.
- The forest is dim, so raise your ISO or use a tripod, and expect strong highlight contrast on sunny days.
- Bikes aren't allowed on the Trollstigen trail itself.
Know before you go
- There is no dedicated troll parking. Park in town (paid lots fill by mid-morning in peak season) or at the free satellite lot, and take the Breck Free Ride bus.
- The trail isn't maintained in winter. Expect snow and ice.
- Leash dogs, pack out all trash, stay on the trail, and don't climb on the sculpture.
- Breckenridge sits around 9,600 feet, so even a short walk can feel hard if you've just arrived from lower elevation.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Breckenridge troll?
Isak Heartstone is on the Trollstigen trail at the south end of Breckenridge, near the Illinois Gulch Trailhead across from the Stephen C. West Ice Arena.
Where do you park to see the troll?
There's no troll parking at the trailhead. Walk about 15 minutes from the Welcome Center on Main Street, bike, or take the free Breck Free Ride bus.
Can I fly a drone at the Breckenridge troll?
No. Drone photography and video are prohibited at the site.
Combine it with
Mohawk Lakes · Quandary Peak · Breckenridge
More Colorado spots
Sources & further reading: gobreck.com · breckcreate.org · denver7.com. Conditions, fees and rules change; check with the managing agency before you go.