Trollenbos in De Schorre in Boom

Looking for a nice place for a short hike, Oriol suggested back in August 2021 the Trollenbos or Troll Forest at De Schorre in Boom in the Province of Antwerp. De Schorre is the location for Tomorrowland.

“As if magic and mythology were involved, seven Scandinavian trolls took up residence in a ‘Magical Troll Forest‘ in De Schorre”, De Schorre website says.

“But you have nothing to fear: the giants may look big – between four and eighteen meters high – and tough, in reality they are sweet and they wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

At the request of Tomorrowland and De Schorre, artist Thomas Dambo from Denmark, land of fairytales, brought the trolls to life. Using old pallets, recycled wood, broken branches and fallen trees, he makes the most wonderful creations and mythical creatures that pop up all over the world.

No mapped out route

The troll forest is free of charge. There is no mapped out route, you are expected to go on a quest.

But there is a map. Reisroutes.be made its own map as well.

Not super easy

The troll forest is not fully wheelchair or pram accessible. You can see which parts are not accessible on the visitors’ map. Be sure to put on your walking shoes that can withstand some mud.

The 7 Trolls And The Magical Tower

Thomas Dambo wrote a backstory of the trolls.

They were seven good friends both together and alone
by the river in the valley in the forest they had home
they had seen the sun set and rise a million times
the seven trolls stood as tall as the pines
Una and Joures were friends for life and like to lay in the grass
watching the skies crawl by telling stories about the past
Mikil was strong as a dragon and always on his way
Kamiel was wearing a mask a new for every day
Arvid like to carve his dreams into ancient trees
Hannes to put pearls on a string for everyone to see
and little Nora had only seen the sun rise around a million times
she was still a growing troll with her tail and young mind
They could see past the forest to where the future emerged
they had seen civilizations crumble and new rise from the dirt
they had seen the mountains grow turn to ice melt and burn
seen the fish turn to birds and seen the continents turn
And now they saw these little people with actions so great
It could break what forever and ever had made
And the trolls got afraid life should never be borrowed
It was meant to be shared with the day of tomorrow
So the seven trolls gathered up on a mountain top
To find a new way the old way of now had to stop
and Kamiel spoke up – we must help them get better
the little people mean good but they are too young to be clever
Let’s build them a tower as tall as a troll
and show them all beings are one in the soul
It took them all winter by summer it was done
they then invited all the little people to come
And the little people walked to the top where they opened their eyes
and saw past the forests the mountains and skies
they saw to the future with tears in their eyes
what they saw no one knows but the eyes never lie.

Time

We weren’t prepared for the quest so we shall return. Allowing more time to find them. If you fancy mud on your feet, there’s a Barefoot Trail as well.