The Breckenridge Troll
Isak Heartstone is a 15-foot tall wooden troll sculpture located on the Trollstigen Trail in Breckenridge, Colorado. Originally built as a part of the annual Breckenridge International Festival of Arts (BIFA) held in August 2018, Isak was created by the Danish artist Thomas Dambo, who is known worldwide for bringing awareness to recycling and upcycling by building great things out of trash. Isak Heartstone is quite the sight and a popular attraction in Breckenridge.
When heading on your troll hunt, please help the local community maintain Isak for as long as possible by keeping these best practices in mind:
- Leave no trace – Take only photos, and leave only footprints. There is no garbage service along the trail; please use the trash receptacle at the trailhead. We appreciate that you pack out what you bring in. Please don’t add anything to the Troll.
- Dogs must remain on leash – Trolls don’t like to be peed on, and people don’t like to step in poop. Please, pick up after your pets. It’s the right thing to do and the law. Dogs in Breckenridge must be on a leash.
- Stay on the trail – Please respect private property by staying on the trail and avoid taking shortcuts. Trollstigen Trail is a one-way directional trail. Bikes are not allowed on the trail, please park your bike at the trailhead. There is only one way to the Troll!
- Show some respect – To ensure he sticks around for others to see, please respect Isak as a piece of art and do not climb on him.
- Breckenridge ordinances apply – The Troll might be from another land, but this trailhead is still in town. Please respect the community surrounding the Troll by obeying recommendations and rules. Drone photography/videography is prohibited.
*The Trollstigen Trail WILL NOT be maintained throughout the winter months.
Please adventure safely!
Trail Route to Isak
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: .25 miles to Troll
The Illinois Gulch trailhead is located in the southeastern corner of the ice rink lot, a free park & ride location.
It will take you approximately five minutes to reach Isak.
Please stay on the trail and leave plants, rocks, and historical items as you find them so others experience the joy of discovery. Help us pack it in and pack it out. Or pick it up to leave the place better than you found it. Carry out litter, even crumbs, peels and cores, and use the waste/recycling bin at the trailhead.
VARIABLE CONDITIONS EXIST on the trail to Isak. Depending on the time of year, expect snow, wind, sun, and traffic. During the winter, Trollstigen Trail can be icy, snowpacked, muddy, and/or slick. Please come prepared to hike in changing weather conditions.
Please avoid shortcuts and stay on the path provided.
ACCESSIBILITY – The Trollstigen (Troll Trail) is firm and stable, but is not 36’’ wide nor smooth. The trail is a backcountry route that consists of stones placed in succession to create a firm tread. There is a compacted road base between the stones and one 6” high step on the return trail. Mobility-impaired users are welcome to utilize the Trollstigen Trail to Isak, but one or more accompanying companions would be prudent. The trail was not constructed to ADA standards, as the point of departure (where it does not meet ADA standards) is immediately off the trailhead.
TO LOG THIS VIRTUAL REWARD:
1. You MUST post a photo, with your 'found' log ( not through the messenger) to show that you have physically visited Isak.
You MUST include one of the following in your picture to prove that you visited with Isak:
A) Part of your body such as thumbs up, face, arm, shoes
OR
B) Creative altervative unique to you, such as figurine, trackable, GPS, flag, pets etc.
***A 'found log' that is submitted without a picture, that meets the logging requirements, will be removed. ***
PARKING
Free Park & Ride
189 Boreas Pass Road, Breckenridge, Colorado
Please park in the FREE park and ride lot. Not next to the business.
Parking is heavily enforced in Breckenrigde, and no on street parking is permitted.
Virtual Rewards 2.0 - 2019/2020
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between June 4, 2019 and June 4, 2020. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 2.0 on the Geocaching Blog.