Northwest Trolls: Way of the Bird King
Experience the awe-inspiring Northwest Trolls project, featuring hand-built troll sculptures by artist Thomas Dambo.
Fashioned entirely out of recycled materials, Jakob and the other trolls are large-scale public art installations that tell a tale of protecting nature and honoring the land and waterways.
Jakob stands around 14-ft. tall, looking down at passersby who walk near him on the trail.
He is the first troll to have a ponytail, with a band made by the Snoqualmie Tribe holding his hair in place. He wears a necklace of birdhouses over his fur, inviting forest creatures to come spend an afternoon with him.
Many have asked, “How long will this Troll be in Issaquah?” By virtue of the recycled materials, the Trolls are intended to be temporary installations for the public to enjoy for several years. Issaquah Parks plan to maintain Jakob, in consultation with Thomas Dambo and his team as needed.
Jakob Two Trees is one of six in the region, the other trolls are on Bainbridge Island; Ballard, Seattle; Portland, Vashon Island and West Seattle.
Explore the stories that connect Coast Salish tribal communities with Danish and Scandinavian traditions, all through the lens of environmental art.
Finding Jakob Two Trees Troll in Issaquah Washington
Jakob Two Trees hangs out approximately a quarter mile from the Issaquah Community Center, down the Rainier Trail.
If you start at the Issaquah Community Center (301 Rainier Blvd S, Issaquah, WA 98027) and walk south on the paved Rainier Trail past the Dog Park, you will find Jakob several minutes down the paved trail.
The Rainier Trail is paved and very accessible for visitors of all ages and abilities. You will need to walk or bike for about a quarter mile down the trail to reach the Troll.
By Bus: Nearby routes include the 554, and 208, 271.
By Bike or By Foot: Issaquah is a great place for a scenic bike ride. You can even ride your bike right up to the troll on the paved trail.
By Car: Consider carpooling to reduce your environmental impact in visiting the Troll. The Issaquah Community Center has public EV chargers available for use for a small fee. Nearby parking is limited. There is a small lot at the Issaquah Community Center (301 Rainier Blvd S, Issaquah, WA 98027) and parking available on nearby streets.
Public restrooms can be found at the Issaquah Community Center Monday – Friday from 7am-9pm and on Saturdays 8am-Noon.
Thomas Dambo and NWTrolls: Way of the Bird King
The Nordic Trolls spring from the imagination of Danish environmental artist, Thomas Dambo. He channels his Nordic heritage and the mythical folklore of his youth, to create large-scale whimsical Trolls, with a modern twist.
The NW Troll project, themed “Way of the Bird King,” includes six sites in the Pacific Northwest where Danish environmental artist, Thomas Dambo, has installed large-scale whimsical trolls.
Each whimsical troll sculpture is part of an underlying environmental story. The project reinforces the shared values of environmental stewardship for watershed protection, restoration, and preservation of riparian habitats. It also celebrates the human experience of art by amplifying the connections of cultural heritage between Coast Salish tribal communities and Scandinavian traditions.
Funding for the Issaquah Troll was provided by Scan Design Foundation, Paul G. Allen Family Foundation and The City of Issaquah.
Thank you to in-kind sponsors The Snoqualmie Tribe, Big Picture, Runberg Architecture Group and Meta.
