Middle-earth

Location

Mirkwood

Also known as Greenwood the Great, Eryn Lasgalen (after the war), Taur-e-Ndaedelos

The great forest of Rhovanion, home of the Woodland Realm and, before the war, of a growing darkness.

Tolkien’s textsSupported by the narratives published in Tolkien’s lifetime.
Type
Forest
Region
Rhovanion
Age
The Third Age
On the map
55%, 30%
Mirkwood

On the interactive atlas

Coordinates shown here are approximate, marking this place on the shared atlas map for orientation rather than cartography. It sits on the Third Age layer.

View on the interactive atlas →

Geography

A vast forest spanning the width of Rhovanion, crossed by the old Forest Road and the enchanted stream; the Elvenking’s halls lie in its north.

History

Once Greenwood the Great, it darkened after Sauron took Dol Guldur. After the War of the Ring the shadow was lifted and the wood renamed Eryn Lasgalen.

People & inhabitants

Woodland Realm Elves under Thranduil; giant spiders and Orcs in the dark years.

Significance

Bilbo’s company crosses it in The Hobbit; Dol Guldur’s power is broken by the White Council and later by Galadriel.

Events here

Figures of this place

Sources

  • The Hobbit · 1937

    Published in Tolkien’s lifetime. The primary narrative of Bilbo’s journey.

  • The Lord of the Rings · 1954–55

    Three volumes: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King.

  • The Silmarillion · 1977

    Posthumously edited. Contains the Ainulindalë, Valaquenta, Quenta Silmarillion, Akallabêth and Of the Rings of Power.

Related places