How to Find the Breckenridge Troll

Isak Heartstone peers through the trees in Breckenridge, Colorado.

If you are heading on a troll hunt, please help Breckenridge maintain Isak for as long as possible by keeping these best practices in mind:

1. Leave no trace – Take only photos (tag #BreckLife), 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.
2. 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.
3. 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 at the trailhead. There is only one way to the Troll!
4. 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.
5. 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. 

Parking

NOTE – There is no Troll parking near Isak Heartstone. To ensure a successful Troll experience, we strongly encourage walking, biking, or taking public transportation (details below).

The best way to see Isak and explore Breckenridge’s quaint historic streets is by boots, bikes and buses. Leave your car at your lodging or better yet, let your lodging shuttle chauffeur you. If you need a lift, hop on the Breck Free Ride for an short and easy bus ride to the Trollstigen Trailhead.

If you came with a car, please park it at your accommodation for the day and help us preserve Breckenridge’s historic charm by ditching the keys and keeping traffic congestion and pollution at a minimum.

The most accessible, in-town paid-parking is South/North Gondola Lots and F-Lot. During peak seasons, those lots fill by 10:00 am. For the best experience (including free parking), park in the Satellite Lot on your way into town (via I-70) and ride the Breck Free Ride bus into Breckenridge.

Directions to Isak

Isak Heartstone lives on the newly constructed Trollstigen trailhead located in the southeast corner by the Illinois Gulch trailhead. It is an easy walk, bike, or free public transportation ride to visit him. There is no troll parking at the trailhead. “No Parking” areas on nearby Town or County Roads is strictly enforced (with a $50 ticket).

We recommend starting in the middle of historic downtown at the Breckenridge Welcome Center (203 S. Main St) and walking (15 min), biking (10 min), or riding the bus (5 min) to Isak. The Breck Free Ride Trolley regularly leaves from Breckenridge Station (next to the base of the BreckConnect Gondola).

How to Walk/Bike to Isak from the Breckenridge Welcome Center

Walking, biking and taking the bus is the easiest way to get to the Breckenridge Troll.

How to walk to the troll

Breckenridge has redesigned pathways and sidewalks, installed brighter LED lights, and added more heated walkways so guests feel comfortable using a sustainable method of travel: their feet.

Directions:

• From the Breckenridge Welcome Center (203 S. Main St.), the trailhead is 15 minutes away at a leisurely walking pace.
• Head south on Main Street.
• Take a left at the light on Boreas Pass Road and continue .25 miles toward the Stephen C. West Ice Arena on your right, passing the Railroad Park on the right.
• The Trollstigen Trailhead is located in the southeast corner by the Illinois Gulch trailhead opposite the Stephen C. West Ice Arena. Follow the Troll foot prints on the pavement to find Isak.

How to hike to the troll

If you are looking for a little more adventure on your way to Isak, explore Breckenridge’s expansive trail network by adding on 1.5 miles with the route below. You can always stop by the Breckenridge Welcome Center for local insight on trails and routes.

Directions:

• From the Breckenridge Welcome Center (203 S. Main St.), the trailhead is 15 minutes at a leisurely walking pace.
• Head South on Main Street.
• Take a left at the light on Boreas Pass Road and continue .25 miles toward the Stephen C. West Ice Arena on your right, passing the Railroad Park on the right.
• The Illinois Gulch Trailhead is located in the southeast corner from the Breckenridge Ice Rink.
• From the Illinois Gulch Trailhead, take an immediate right on Illinois Gulch trail (to the left is the Trollstigen Trail (.25 miles) to Isak).
• Stay to the right and follow signs to stay on the Illinois Gulch/Southside Trail.
• Illinois Gulch will loop back to the Trollstigen Trailhead.
• Take a right on to Trollstigen and Isak will be .25 miles on this directional, one-way trail.

How to bike to the troll

Did you know that Breckenridge’s bike lanes were awarded the gold level as a bicycle friendly community by the League of American Bicyclists? Rent a bike and check it out! Bikes are not allowed on the Trollstiegn Trail, please use bike racks at the trailhead.

Directions:

• From the Breckenridge Welcome Center, the trailhead is ten minutes by bike.
• Head east on Washington Street away from Breckenridge Ski Resort toward French Street.
• Take a right on French Street and continue to Boreas Pass Road and the High Line Railroad Park.
• Take a left on Boreas Pass Road and cross the street toward the Stephen C. West Ice Arena.
• The Trollstigen Trailhead is located in the southeast corner by the Illinois Gulch trailhead opposite the Stephen C. West Ice Arena, follow the Troll footprints on the pavement.

Reminders on the Trail

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, snow packed, 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) has been upgraded to an accessible trail as of summer 2024! The trail is not smooth, however it is firm and compacted, and is 48″ wide. There is a maximum grade of 3% and offers two rest areas along the short trail. People of all abilities are welcome to utilize the Trollstigen Trail to Isak!

Isak will only welcome those visitors who will love his home like he does and leave no trace on his surroundings. Isak Heartstone will call Breckenridge home for as long he stays intact and guests visit him responsibly. We need your help to keep him and his surroundings in great shape so that he decides to stay in the area for many years to come.