Perhaps The State's Best Hidden Treasure, Hardly Anyone Knows This Incredible Troll Exists In Tennessee
By Chris Dodge|Published July 03, 2023
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Chris Dodge
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My name is Chris Dodge and I live right here in the great state of Tennessee. My family and I are full adventurers filled with passion to see the amazing things our state has to offer. We are avid hikers and have explored many different places in Tennessee and beyond but we are always thankful to be living in such a glorious state.
As local travel experts, we know what travelers are looking for when it comes to finding the perfect accommodations for their next trip. To compile our lists, we scour the internet to find properties with excellent ratings and reviews, desirable amenities, nearby attractions, and that something special that makes a destination worthy of traveling for.
I love going on a hike and finding something truly unique. Sometimes it can be an unexpected field of flowers, a hidden cascade, or an old cemetery left over from generations gone by, but it is always exciting to find. Sometimes you stumble upon something so breathtaking that you just have to tell everyone about it. Only a few people know this but there is a hidden troll in Walland, TN. Not any old troll either, we’re talking about a giant forest troll deep within the treeline on a mountain top and there is only one way to see it.
Blackberry Mountain sits just north of Townsend and faces the Great Smoky Mountains. This unmatched view overlooks miles and miles of a forested mountain paradise. Nestled into the mountains is a resort unlike any other in the state. This is where you will find the troll.
To see the troll you will need to stay at this resort because he dwells right on private property. You can stay in multiple ways from treehouses, cottages, cabins, and homes. Each place is a decadent mountain oasis.
You can easily get lost in the woods and truly find a way to reconnect with nature. The troll isn’t the only hidden art installation found in this mountain though. These huts can be an ascetically pleasing addition to the surrounding forest. You will have to explore the property and take several trails to find all there is to see and do, you can spend days seeking out all the hidden treasures in the woods.
The Labyrinth is another one of those interesting places to stumble upon. The swirling patterns of rocks are an inviting distraction along your journey and a sidetrack well worth taking.
The star of the show is of course the giant troll. If you aren't familiar with the work of Thomas Dambo then allow us to introduce you to the king of recycled art.
Dambo works hard on taking recycled wood and other natural items to make massive troll sculptures all across the world. I have searched out these amazing creations myself and have found them in the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden and The Bernheim Arboretum in Kentucky. They are fascinating creations that fit perfectly into their natural surroundings. Dambo and his crew had to carry the supplies by hand to sculpt this mountain-top troll and the finished product is nothing short of amazing.
Each troll that Thomas Dambo makes comes with a name and a clever backstory.
These are not just your standard art pieces but they are woven into a bigger and rather imaginative story. The troll on top of Blackberry Mountain is named Leo The Enlightened. He is a peaceful troll who traveled up the mountain and found this scenic spot overlooking the Great Smoky Mountains. He rests on the rock and now spends his time meditating while enjoying the solitude found in this pleasant space.
Will you find this great treasure too? This hidden troll in Walland, TN, is truly one-of-a-kind. The resort in the mountains is equally as unique with a plethora of options to enjoy the surrounding natural area. So for more information on this resort please visit the Blackberry Mountain website. To learn more about Leo please check out this video from Thomas Dambo himself.
