If Sam and Frodo had had this Google Map of Middle Earth, their journey would likely have been a lot easier than the one in the Lord of the Rings. Created by Mark Crosby the map has all sorts of wonderful additions.
For example:
- The estimated journey time is 6 months with Orcs or 4 months without.
- A warning that ‘This route has trolls.’
- There is an Eagle option (see my comments below)
- Instead of the Satellite view, there’s a Dragons view.
- Map data 3018, 3rd age
One thing that’s never made a whole lot of sense about the Lord of the Rings films to me is, if they had Eagles, why didn’t they just use them to fly straight to Mordor. I understand the books and films are supposed to be more about the journey, but you’d think if you’re looking to destroy the One Ring of Power, you’d want to do it as quickly and efficiently as possible.
However, after doing some research, it seems hardcore fans of the series dismiss the Eagle option as pure fantasy. They claim the flying Nazgûl would have easily killed them before they got to Mordor.
In any case, the map above is great no matter whether or not the route taken by Frodo and Sam was the most efficient or not.
You can eve buy a similar map on Etsy.
For more Lord of the Rings see:
- Map Of Middle Earth The Lord Of The Rings
- Movies: The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy Extended Editions
- Books: The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings
- Lord Of The Rings: The Card Game
Have any comments about the map above? Leave them in the comment section below:
Jesse Brauning says
Also, Sauron probably could have just murdered them out of the sky with magic…
anoNYMous Raven says
How do I access the freaking map?!
Paul B. Lot says
Why would the Eagles help?
What’s in it for them?
Gavin W. says
In the Silimaillion, it is explained that the Eagles were placed in Middle-earth by Manwë, one of the Valar (essentially gods), to live in the mountains north of Beleriand in order to keep watch over Morgoth. Morgoth was one of the Valar who had, through jealousy and hatred, become corrupted and was effectively the source of evil in Middle Earth. Sauron was essentially Morgoth’s lieutenant.
So, in helping to destroy the ring, the Eagles were fulfilling a part of their purpose – ultimately, to bring about the destruction of Morgoth.
Gavin W. says
That third word should read “Silmarillion”. Apologies for the typo.
Bibliofilen says
Gandalf or Elrond did ask the Eagles but they didn’t want to leave their territory.
Kim Haze says
Where is Thorin’s Hall etc.? http://dynmap.ruslotro.com/#Ered%20Luin
James says
Harlindon and Forlindon are the areas LOTRO call Ered Luin.
During the Third Age, its forests, besides that of Mirkwood, were the largest in Middle-earth. In the latter part of the Third Age, the Dwarves settled the Blue Mountains again when Thráin II, his son Thorin Oakenshield and the Dwarven survivors of the Sack of Erebor moved from Dunland and delved a prosperous settlement there. After the War of the Ring and the defeat of Sauron, Elves continued to travel west to Lindon through the gap in the mountains by way of the Gulf of Lune, where they eventually intended to set sail on the Straight Road to the Undying Lands of Aman. After the War of the Ring it is said that many Dwarves from the east migrated back to their ancient homeland and Ered Luin was a prosperous kingdom once more.
Ermelyn PItts says
This is AWESOME!!!
Kim Haze says
Why is Thorin’s Hall not on the freaking map?!
Peter Arne says
Why is it a giant static image file? Is there an actual interactive site somewhere? Where?
Daniel Copeland says
Minor plot point left out of the movies because it would have been fiddly, but which would have forestalled all this Eagle Taxi Service nonsense:
Eagles cannot, in fact, carry humans (or even hobbits) all that far. The eagle that rescued Gandalf from Orthanc dropped him off in nearby Rohan, where he borrowed a horse to get to distant Rivendell. In the books the eagles talk, and they have this conversation:
GANDALF: How far can you bear me?
EAGLE: Many leagues, but not to the ends of the earth.
russjohnson says
Regarding the comment about why the Fellowship did not just fly on the Eagles to Mordor, that is exactly what Gandalf advises when he said “Fly, you fools!”|. Unfortunately the party was too distracted by orcs, the Balrog and seeing Gandalf fall in Moria to remember his advice the next day.