Forest Gate

From Tolkien Gateway
The Elvenking's Gate by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Forest Gate was the western entrance to the Elf-path that led across Mirkwood to the Elvenking's Halls. It was formed as a sort of arch made by two great trees leaning together that were old, ivy-strangled, hung with lichen, and bearing but a few blackened leaves. Beyond the gate the path became a gloomy tunnel, such that from within the forest the gate appeared as a small bright hole.[1]

It was a four-day ride by horse from Beorn's house directly north to the Forest Gate, which was also to the northeast of the confluence of the Rhimdath and Anduin Rivers. When Thorin and company came to the gate, they camped there overnight before entering the forest. It was at this point that they released Beorn's ponies, and Gandalf left the party, to the consternation of the dwarves and Bilbo Baggins.[2]

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

2013: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug:

The Forest Gate has a small statue of Thranduil's wife, which is covered by the woods. There is also as a symbol of the Eye of Sauron. Gandalf leaves the company to investigate the tombs of the Nazgûl.

2018: The Lord of the Rings Online:

The Forest Gate in The Lord of the Rings Online
The Forest Gate can be found in the northern Mirkwood region of "Eryn Lasgalen", allowing travel between the forest and the neighboring Beorning-lands.

References

Route of Thorin and Company
Bag End · Green Dragon · The Shire · Lone-lands · Last Bridge · Trollshaws · Trolls' cave · Rivendell · High Pass · Front Porch · Goblin-town · Goblin-gate · Eagle's Eyrie · Carrock · Beorn's Hall · Wilderland · Forest Gate · Elf-path · Mirkwood · Elvenking's Halls · Forest River · Lake-town · Long Lake · River Running · Desolation of the Dragon · Ravenhill · Back Door · Lonely Mountain · Great Hall of Thráin