North-South Road

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The North-South Road, also known as the Great Road and Royal Road, was a major road in the Westlands built by the Númenóreans from the Second Age; it linked the northern kingdom of Arnor with the southern kingdom of Gondor.[1][2]

Route

It originally ran from Fornost Erain in the far north, southward for hundreds of leagues through Eriador passing by Bree (where it crossed the East-West Road) and through Andrath between the Barrow-downs and the South Downs and crossed the former Cardolan and Minhiriath.[2] Most of this road had fallen into ruins after the Fall of Fornost and the desolation of Eriador. The patch of the North Road around the Bree-land was known as the Greenway because of its disuse.[1] It then crossed Tharbad on the Gwathló, where it crossed the river to traverse Enedwaith.[2] From then on, the North Road became the Old South Road.[3]

Arching slightly towards the Misty Mountains, it went through the Gap of Rohan (via the Fords of Isen) and then it was known as the Great West Road.[1] After two miles it bent sharply to the south-east to meet the Deeping-road and again bent to the east and Edoras.[4] It passed across Calenardhon/Rohan parallel to the White Mountains and eventually Anorien. It passed near Minas Anor and then passed over Erui at the Crossings of Erui, and reached Pelargir.[5]

References