Landmark · Mirkwood
Forest Gate
The arch of trees on Mirkwood's northwestern edge where the Elf-path begins
- Appears in
- The Hobbit
- Region
- Mirkwood
- Journeys passing through
- 1
The Forest Gate stands on the northwest edge of Mirkwood, east of the Anduin and a few days' ride from Beorn's hall. On the map it is the point where the road from the upper vales meets the wall of trees, well north of the Old Forest Road and far west of Thranduil's halls.
The opening itself looks like an arch formed by two great leaning trees, old and choked with ivy, with the path running under them into a tunnel of branches. Bilbo describes the air as still and dark, and the company found the path narrow and winding rather than straight.
Thorin's company reached it with Beorn's borrowed ponies and Gandalf still in their party. Gandalf turned back south on his own business, which was the attack on Dol Guldur, and the ponies were released to run home as Beorn had required. The dwarves and the hobbit went in on foot with what food they could carry.
Events at this place
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TA 2941 · The Hobbit
The company enters Mirkwood
Gandalf left Thorin's company at the Forest Gate, the ponies were sent back to Beorn, and the travelers set out on foot along the Elf-path.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Forest Gate?
On the northwestern edge of Mirkwood, east of the Anduin, where the Elf-path enters the forest.
Why did Gandalf leave at the Forest Gate?
He had pressing business in the south. In the same year the White Council attacked Dol Guldur and drove Sauron out of Mirkwood.