Éowyn Challenge Pathway Mileage and
Descriptions
THE MORANNON TO MINAS TIRITH: The Return
Journey (120 Miles)
by
Karen Wynn Fonstad
Author of The Atlas of
Middle-earth
There
is little information provided about this journey. Most entries are
based on probable troop movements.
|
________Total Cumulative Miles (incl. Bonus miles)
for your Personal Journey
thus far:
|
Cumulative
Miles
for
Leg
|
Miles
from
last
Mile-
Post
|
Location/description at the
Milepost.
|
March 25 – The Day of Doom Remain
near the Morannon following the Battle. Eagles and
Gandalf return with Frodo and Sam (see
Journey of Frodo and Sam for analysis). Gimli finds Pippin
under slain Troll. Aragorn and healers tend the wounded. Work through
the night, staying as
far as possible from the slag-heaps and oozing pits.
|
March 26 – Day 1: 19 miles
|
0
|
0
|
Wounded are placed on supply-wains. Move slowly to protect the
wounded.
Begin trek down the Southward Road, away from the rubble of the
Morannon. Scouts follow retreating enemies to assure they do not return.
|
2
|
2
|
Ride southwest. Road runs in a trenchlike valley between the
mountains and
the moors. It is newly repaired for many miles.
|
9
|
7
|
End of the slag heaps.
|
19
|
10
|
Stop for the night. Camp along the road.
|
March 27 – Day 2: 19 miles
|
19
|
0
|
Start ca. 8 a.m. Continue down the road.
|
22
|
3
|
Road turns more to the south.
|
24
|
2
|
Reach northern edge of Ithilien. East across road are dark
trees. Closer ‘a
tumbled heathland’ with ‘knots of pine-trees.’ Air is fresh and
fragrant.
|
25
|
1
|
Road is straight and level. Go more quickly.
|
27
|
2
|
In valley between mountains on east and steep slopes on west.
|
30
|
3
|
Woods appear to the west. Some growth begins along the road
edges.
|
33
|
3
|
Road crosses stream on an arched masonry bridge.
|
38
|
5
|
Road becomes more overgrown. Camp along the road.
|
March 28 – Day 3: 18 miles
|
38
|
0
|
Start ca. 8 a.m. Continue on Southward Road.
|
42
|
4
|
Another stream is bridged.
|
44
|
2
|
Reach north end of a long straight cutting through a stony
ridge.
|
47
|
3
|
Turn off the road. Climb west bank and go downhill. Many
wounded now can
walk. Some ride horses. Others are carried on litters. Many troops
continue
south on the road for return directly to Minas Tirith.
|
48
|
1
|
Follow the nearby stream to the small clear pool visited 3
weeks before by
Frodo and Sam. Troops find and cleanse nearby orc fire-ring.
|
50
|
2
|
Troops stay north of stream. Descend steep slope.
|
52
|
2
|
Thread their way through woodland, north of the stream channel.
|
55
|
3
|
Trees grow thinner. The stream now runs “in a narrow gorge.”
|
56
|
1
|
Camp near Henneth Annûn.
Some go to the caves for supplies.
|
March 29 – Day 4: 14 miles
|
56
|
0
|
Continue downhill through woodland. Must skirt widely around
the hollow of
the waterfall.
|
59
|
3
|
Return to the stream. It still falls swiftly.
|
62
|
3
|
Slope is more gentle. Trees begin to open out. The Anduin can
be seen.
|
64
|
2
|
Another stream joins on the southern shore.
|
68
|
4
|
Reach the open, grassy flatlands by the Anduin: the Field of Cormallen.
|
70
|
2
|
Set up camp with numerous pavilions.
|
March 30 – April 27 The Field
of Cormallen (April 8 – Celebration Banquet)
|
Bonus Miles
|
Wander in Ithilien, revisiting places Frodo and Sam had seen
earlier.
|
April 28 – Day 33 since
The Day of Doom: 37 miles
|
70
|
0
|
Leave early. The Host goes south, taking boats down the Anduin.
|
71
|
1
|
The south end of Cair Andros lies on the west, stream mouth on
east.
|
76
|
5
|
Stream enters on east.
|
84
|
8
|
Can see Amon Dîn due west.
|
94
|
10
|
Stream enters on east.
|
106
|
12
|
Reach northern edge of Osgiliath. Continue down river to
landings.
|
107
|
1
|
Reach landings of Osgiliath.
Dock and unload wounded.
|
April 29 – Day 34 Remain
in Osgiliath. Rest and reorganize.
|
April 30 – Day 35: 13 miles
|
107
|
0
|
Mid-morning. Leave Osgiliath and go west along the Causeway.
|
108
|
1
|
Reach the Causeway Forts on the Rammas Echor.
|
112
|
4
|
Continue on the road across the Pelennor.
|
120
|
8
|
Reach the Gates of Minas
Tirith. Aragorn camps in the field.
|
May 1 – Day 36 The Crowning
of King Elessar
|
________Total Cumulative Miles (incl. Bonus miles)
for your Personal Journey
thus far:
+120 Miles = The Morannon to
Minas Tirith: the Return Journey
+________ = Bonus Miles for
this part of the Journey
_________ = Your Personal
Journey thus far
|