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Although Rhûn might seem intimidating, it’s not dangerous for travelers who know the best places to visit. Both Dwarves and Elves had considerable influence in the region during the First Age, leaving their art and architecture scattered throughout the continent. The geography went through some dramatic shifts after the War of Wrath, which is what led to the western migration into places like the Shire, Gondor, and the Iron Hills.

5 The Iron Hills

One of the few places in the east that the Dwarves would call home late into the Third Age, the Iron Hills would be an easy visit for travelers starting in Dale or at the junction of the Running River. Located on the northwestern border of Rhûn, the dwarf cities in Iron Hills were founded by the leaders of Khazad-dum as a source of ore and for access to commerce and communication with the south and east.

The Iron Hills were even more important during the Third Age, when Khazad-dum had been abandoned and Erebor was possessed by Smaug, so visitors that come during the First Age will have a safer journey through the Greenwood but be less impressed by what they find on the other side. It’s an easy trip down the river to The Sea of Rhun, but it’s strongly advised to stay on the western shore and make one stop on the way.

4 Dorwinion

The lush and verdant slopes where the River Carnen turns west and flows into the sea of Rhûn are famous for the gardens, especially their fruits, and of these, nothing is better than the grapes. This means wine, and wine means wood elves, so those traveling from the Elevn kingdoms to the west in Greenwood or Mirkwood might have already had their fill.

RELATED: Lord Of The Rings: Hobbits Only Book Readers KnowDorwinion is technically part of Rhûn but is on the eastern border, and the humans that live there are related to the Men of Dale, not Easterlings or Southlanders. It’s safe to travel on both the roads and rivers, with orcs and goblins keeping to the mountains in the west. However, floating in a barrel is not recommended.

3 The Sea Of Rhûn

Continuing east from Dorwinion or south from the Iron Hills to reach the Sea Of Rhûn, one-half of what remains of the ancient and vast Sea of Helcar, which was destroyed by Melkor in the very early days of Arda. The other half is the Sea of Nurnen, which is within the mountain ranges that enclose Mordor, which is a trip not for the faint of heart.

An inland sea of brackish nature, the shoreline of the Sea of Rhûn is populated by oxen and lined with grapevines and olive groves. There’s an island in the center worth exploring too, for those who have access to a boat. The area was dominated by Gondor for most of the Third Age until Easterlings took over during the War of the Ring, so the safety of each voyage depends on the time period. Visitors should note that most of the best sights in Rhûn are on or near the shores of this inland sea.

2 The Red Mountains

Travelers who are keen on the early history of the Dwarves or the geological past of Middle-earth should stay in the northern part of Rhûn and trek to the Red Mountains. They’re yet another piece of the massive range of mountains that stretched across the northern part of Middle-earth before they were destroyed during the War of Wrath.

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The Red Mountains run north to the eastern coastline and are also called the Orocarni, and legend has it that the four dwarven clans that eventually emigrated to the west awakened here. Other points of interest nearby during the First Age include the Bay of Cuiviénen and the forests of Neldoreth, but visitors who arrive after the War of Wrath are out of luck.

1 Hildórien

There was a place called Cuiviénen on the west of the Sea of Rhûn, and this is where the Elves first awakened at the beginning of time, under gentle starlight, before there were trees or lamps to light the sky. It was destroyed during the War of Wrath, but Tolkien himself was never clear on the fate of Hildórien. Travelers can continue trekking southeast and find out for themselves.

The land of Hildórien is southwest of the shores of the Sea of Rhûn, in a corner of Middle-earth even more isolated and far-flung than the forests of Cuiviénen. Not many of these ancient men remain here, as most of them traveled west to escape the early influence of Morgoth and join the Elves. It was here that Finrod Felagund, Galadriel’s brother, first met the races of men and gave them an alternative to the leadership of Morgoth.

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