Bridge Trolls From Popular Legends Actually Exist Right Here In Oregon
By Catherine Armstrong|Published November 08, 2019
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
Do you remember the story of the Three Billy Goats Gruff? In the story, these three little goats are trying to get across a bridge, but a troll lives underneath the bridge, and he threatens to eat them up. They trick him to cross, and all ends well (for the goats, at least). Now that you’re all grown up, you know that trolls don’t really live under bridges…but there’s one bridge right here in Oregon where trolls DO live…and it’s actually pretty charming.
To find the trolls under the trestle bridge, hop on SR-30 and drive north of Portland.
Of course, these trolls aren't the hideous beasts from the Norse fairy tale. They're adorable little plastic trolls with brightly-colored hair. Many of them are naked, but we won't hold that against them. After all, we are in Portland.
You might want to bring your own troll to leave under the bridge, or at least bring some kind of offering. Even though you don't want to cross the bridge, the trolls expect some kind of compensation for your trespass.
Since they're trolls, they probably won't know if you bring them some funny money, and they might be perfectly satisfied with a little Brussels sprout. No one ever said that trolls were smart.
This little bridge is a fun place to visit, and if you have kids they'll love it too. Make sure to bring your camera to capture some photos of this quirky little spot.