ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — While the Blue Ridge Mountains are old as dirt, sometimes its best trails are fleeting. The North Carolina Arboretum is currently home to 12 massive, wooden trolls by internationally renowned sculpture artist Thomas Dambo. The statues, constructed from reclaimed wood and fashioned with distinct names and personalities, are scattered around the NC Arboretum grounds, making for a solid walk in the woods in addition to troll-borne delight.
Fast facts
- The exhibit, “Trolls: A Field Study,” will be on display at the NC Arboretum from Nov. 15, 2025-Feb. 17, 2026
- While all 12 of the trolls are discoverable around the arboretum grounds, several are only accessible along the mulched, winding Natural Garden Trail, which is tougher terrain than the arboretum gardens
- Admission to the NC Arboretum is $20 for most vehicles, but access to the Dambo exhibit is included with the fee
Troll hunting
The first stop to make at the NC Arboretum is the visitor center, where troll hunting guests can find a small guidebook for the Dambo statues, complete with a map, names of the creatures and activities for “curious young human folk” to enjoy. While tracking down the trolls can be tackled in any order, the most efficient will be to greet “Wilde,” the doodling giant outside, before climbing the visitor center stairs and exiting to the arboretum gardens…