Asheville created a wonderful backdrop for our travels. The mountains surrounded us on our drive, and we felt safe everywhere. We decided to slumber in Asheville for two nights to fulfill our two objectives: visit Traveling Trolls: A Field Study and tour the renowned Biltmore Estate. We had enough time to conquer both sites in one day, but I’d like to cover them separately.
Our first decision of the day turned out to be the best—visit the trolls and visit them early. The North Carolina Arboretum only charges $20.00 for parking (free parking the first Tuesday of the month), so entering the actual arboretum costs nothing. We arrived close to 9:15, and only one car preceded us. When we departed, the line had grown considerably; early arrival works best.
Before I begin, let’s learn the back story for these trolls. The 12 trolls displayed here travel approximately every six months. I believe they began in Europe before their official US premiere in Asheville. Their stay at the NC Arboretum concludes February 17, 2026, so if you want to see them on the east coast…hurry. Otherwise , you’ll have to wait until they travel to Southern California for their next tour.
The background story tells of these young trolls and creates great photo opportunities. Curious about the human world, trolls catch humans to take a closer look at them. They don’t quite understand why humans attach themselves so tightly to pocket magic stars (cell phones), but observing all of the humans’ quirky features makes it fun for the trolls.
As we humans explore the arboretum, interacting with the trolls becomes part of the experience. For me, watching how everyone else enjoys the trolls delights me. People have come from far and wide just to catch a glimpse. I love how everyone eagerly awaits their turn to be squeezed or caught in a trap to create not only a memorable experience but a fun time.
Walk up to the main building, and you’ll notice the resident sketch artist…
Wilde (#144)
“Wilde is most fascinated by the humans’ absolutely all-encompassing habit of looking down into their magic pocket star…the humans used to look straight ahead—at the world they lived in.” From trollmap.com (as all quotes will be). Wilde’s hair is made of corkscrew willow.
Wilde was quite the treat for us. The morning seemed a bit drab and dreary, but as we waited for our photo opportunity, a rainbow appeared. It came and went just as quickly, but all of us who stood around Wilde appreciated the extra visual.
Walk inside the arboretum and enjoy the clean restrooms and helpful staff. They also provide you with a fun map. Once you step outside, you’ll meet…
Taks (#148)
“Taks is the youngest of the twelve trolls…understands why all the animals in the forest get scared when they hear humans approaching…humans are so smart and creative…especially when it comes to snacks.” Taks hair is made of yew.
I always look around the entire troll. It’s amazing to see how a pony tail looks natural despite being crafted with sticks from nature. Get ready for nap time as you meet…
Valle (#140)
“Valle finds the human world a bit much…was very happy when he found out that the little humans spend a lot of their time sleeping on the couch.”
There was a small hole in Valle, so I was able to look inside the structure. The frame of the troll uses wood as well, and the form is fashioned around it.
Once your rest is done, be prepared for a trap by none other than…
Bignut (#138)
“‘It’s really really easy to catch a little human…you can just call out “Free things!!” and then they come running, very happy, and queue up in a long line and I think it is kinda cute.’”
I had seen photos of others with Bignut before, and I wanted to get inside the trap. However, it was cold and wet. The wood on the trap was sturdy enough, so I slide in through some of the openings and enjoyed the photo op. We had a family that traveled with us, so we swapped photos and enjoyed our time. After I shimmied out, we met…
Lilnut (#139)
“Lilnut caught a lot of different humans in his field study, but one stands out. That human invited him into her cave. There, she had a thing called a “COUCH” so big that even Lilnut could lay in it!”
Lilnut was a little more challenging to find your way into his net. I noted a pump sink (outdoor sink with a pump that allows you to use the saved water for cleaning), so I pulled my pant leg up above my knees, climbed into the trap on a knee, pulled the pant leg down, and took the photo. I did this in reverse then used the pump sink to clean up. Oh my, was it cold! Anything for a picture though. Next up…
Boge (#137)
“The humans seem so powerful sometimes, like when they work together to break up the earth and build their grey wonders on it, tall as mountains but smooth and shining. But humans are also a bit fragile. You can’t squeeze or shake them too hard…”
Boge was a crowd favorite. Everyone enjoyed slipping in between his fingers and trying to get free. I loved how much joy this brought the kids. They LOVED him. Boge was the last one we found near the buildings, so we took to the path and made our way to…
Kirse (#147)
“Kirse noticed that when she did something fun, like standing on her hands, the littlest humans would mimic it. And if a human did something that screamed of greatness–like standing on one foot while putting fingers in their ears!–lots of other humans would do the same thing. Walking, talking mirrors!”
I don’t think my hands would have been able to handle a cold, wet handstand, so I just loved Kirse, posed, and watched the children try to recreate the handstands. Next, we found the cell phone snatching…
Poppy (#142)
“Poppy learned a lot about the little humans’ big, shining, colorful foodcaves. They like to wrap everything in colorful materials they call ‘packaging.’”
Poppy didn’t have the packaging as described. Instead, broken cellphones and other tech pieces were in her hand. It definitely brought back memories of cell phones gone by. I’d have loved to see the trees in full bloom around Poppy, but seeing Poppy at all was a treat. Looking at the world upside down is fun if you are…
Hasse (#141)
“The little humans often keep a little grass desert around their caves. If anything else grows there–or the grass starts to get tall and wispy–they send out a little metallic beast to chew it all down. Hasse has been trying for hours and hours to undestand why.”
Hasse’s fun spirit created fun photos for all the visitors. Up next…
Birch (#145)
“Birch has been out measuring things. He’s noticed that, just like trolls, the little humans are not all little or big in the same way. They’ve got lots of sizes and shapes going on. What marvelous creatures!”
Birch held a stick with beautifully carved creatures. It was fun to see the details Dambo put into this troll. I particularly loved the saber tooth tiger. Near the arboretum, but on her own path was…
Anja (#146)
“She’s been counting small people, big people, and magic pocket star people, but she learned pretty quickly that she can only keep track of one count at a time.”
According to the Dambo lore, people are supposed to bring a rock from their home and deposit it in the bucket. However, it seems many people find rocks laying around Anja and deposit them in her arms and buckets. By the end of the day, her arms and buckets are filled to overflowing, and the workers have to empty them for the next day. I didn’t bring a rock to share. And last but not least…
Larke (#143)
“When Larke visited the little humans, she saw a lot of people standing in a long line waiting to get food. Next to the line was a so-called “trashcan,” which other little people kept walking up and dropping food into. So Larke didn’t understand why the people in the line just didn’t take some food from the trashcan. It seems like a waste, no?”
When I originally saw Larke on the Internet, I believed the dumpster was full sized. However, it is more proportional to two large trashcans put together. I was relieved because I can’t imagine how hard it will be to transport these trolls to their new home–especially if it were a full sized dumpster. Also, I tried to look at Larke’s face, but, alas, the trashcan prevented it.
A Final Note
Trolls: A Field Study appears to be the largest collection of trolls around. While their size is smaller than other trolls, their quantity makes up for it. Twelve different troll faces with twelve different poses. Seeing them together left me with great joy! They bring fun to any place, and they help people feel a sense of togetherness. Are there trolls near you? If so, get out and see them. You will certainly find great things in their midst!
Reba Roams the World 
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