Anduin

This page is about Anduin, the River running from north of Mirkwood to the sea in Gondor. For other uses, see Anduin (disambiguation). 

The River Anduin

The Anduin, was the longest river in Middle-earth during the Third Age with a length of approximately 1,388 miles (or 2,234 kilometers).

The Sindarin name literally meaning "Long River", the Anduin is the river flowing along the eastern edge of Lothlórien separating it from Mirkwood.

The Anduin is commonly known as the Great River to most men, though the ancestors of the Rohirrim call it Langflood. It arises in the Wells of Langflood where the Langwell and Greylin rivers as well as several others including Wyrmsgráf River and the Rhimdath all meet at the foot of Framsburg. River's tributaries come from the western Grey and Misty Mountains, and later from the White Mountains. The Anduin flows through Rhovanion, from the Wells of Langflood, through the Vales of Anduin, Lothlórien and Mirkwood; and into East Rohan where it borders the Great River region, passing the Argonath and the Falls of Rauros. There it drops to the plane of Gondor and passes Far Anórien, the Dead Marshes, Osgiliath, Minas Tirith and Minas Morgul; and ultimately past Pelargir in Central Gondor where it passes into the Bay of Belfalas in Belegaer, the Great Sea.

Some parts of the Anduin may be traversed by swimming. In other areas the River is too dangerous to swim and one is likely to become defeated. This is especially true for the stretch separating Lothlórien and Mirkwood and the rapids of Sarn Gebir north of the Argonath.

Lore

Setting out in boats on the Anduin from Lothlórien the Company of the Ring travelled along the Great River during the Third Age, pursued by Gollum and the orcs of Isengard. Shortly before reaching Amon Hen Legolas brought down a Fell beast with the bow he was given when leaving Lothlórien. Later, upon reaching Amon Hen, the Fellowship is broken.

After passing through the Paths of the Dead, Aragorn captures the Corsair fleet at Pelargir, the great havens at the mouth of the Anduin. Then they take the ships to Osgiliath, from where they join the Battle of Pelennor Fields.

During the First Age, a stretch of land along the Great River was home to Entwives and their beautiful gardens. But this place of beauty was blasted by Sauron in the Second Age, and is now called the Brown Lands. The Great River is a divider; on the western bank is life, forests, tributaries and the like, while the east is wasteland, destroyed, rocky.

Course of the River

• This river enters the map to the north in the Wells of Langflood and travels south
• through the Vales of Anduin
• between Lothlórien and Mirkwood
• East of the Great River
• East of East Rohan
• North and east of Far Anórien
• Between Old Anórien and North Ithilien, South Ithilien and the Wastes
• East and south of Eastern Gondor
• The Anduin enters Belegaer in the Ethir Anduin south of Central Gondor ^{[86.6S, 45.1W]}

Maps

Gallery

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  The Anduin forms from at least twelve smaller rivers, including the Langwell, the Wyrmsgráf and the Greylin, with the Rhimdath joining a short stretch later. Originating from either the Misty Mountains or Ered Wethrin, these rivers collect together in the Wells of Langflood, giving the area its name.

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  The frothing vapors of the waterfalls forming the Anduin creates the thick mist that gives Misthallow its name.

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  Skerabrygg is the northernmost crossing of the river as it heads down through the Floodfells.

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  The Great River continues flowing through the Beorning-lands, its speed dropping somewhat as the landscape flattens out.

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  The river proceeds through the Vales of Anduin, following Woodsedge on the border of Mirkwood.

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  The Anduin river slows down further as it reaches the Gladden Fields, forming a large marshland with pools and rivulets.

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  Passing through Duskenvale, the Anduin widens up as trees enclose it on both sides.

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  Further downstream, the Anduin becomes the natural border between Mirkwood to the east, and Lothlórien to the west.

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  Though the river appears peaceful as it passes by Gelirdor, crossing is dangerous due to the presence of orcish archers lurking in the eaves of Mirkwood.

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  The Celebrant joins the flow of the river at the south end of Egladil.

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  Continuing on past Thinglad, the swollen river picks up speed again as it crosses a series of currents.

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  The Anduin then leaves the woods behind as it enters a stretch of plains on the edge of Parth Celebrant.

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  The water enters the Rushgore, feeding the swampland and creating a rich habitat for a variety of species.

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  On the other side of the river, the desolate Brown Lands form a sharp contrast. A floating bridge has been built here to cross the river as it slides between muddy piles of silt - this is the North Undeep.

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  The Limlight River is next to feed into the Anduin, as it bends several times passing through the Wold, the landscape rising around it.

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  Easterlings from the Brown Lands have built a few crossings called "Undeeps".

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  Whitewater forms as the river rushes through the steep gorges bordering Rohan. These rapids are named Sarn Gebir.

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  As the rapids ease off, two massive forms can be seen in the distance.

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  The Argonath tower over the river, marking the former border between Rhovanion and Gondor.

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  Beyond the great statues lies the river's only significant lake, the beautiful Nen Hithoel nestled in the mountains of the East Wall of Rohan.

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  At the end of the lake, the Anduin plummets into a giant fall off the cliff, leaving Rohan behind.

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  The majestic Falls of Rauros effectively cut the Anduin in two, restricting travel by boat in to either side of the falls.

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  On the far side of the falls, the river Entwash merges with the Anduin, forming a great marshy delta called the Mouths of Entwash.

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  As the river runs along the northern border of Gondor, it passes the Beacon Hills to the south. Despite receiving the waters of Entwash, the Anduin is at its most shallow level at this point, since the water spreads over a vast area of marshlands called Nindalf (Wetwang), and beyond into the Dead Marshes where it stagnates.

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  As the Anduin passes the Taur Drúadan, several smaller rivers and streams run from the White Mountains, deepening the flow of water again.

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  Passing a bend towards North Ithilien, the river reabsorbs much of the water from Nindalf as well as more side rivers flowing from the White Mountains, swelling once again into a massive flood that now heads south towards Cair Andros.

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  The crossing at Cair Andros is only the second permanently constructed crossing of the Anduin after the Skerabrygg far to the north.

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  The last constructed crossing of the Anduin is the ruined city of Osgiliath.

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  Rounding the bend of the Pelennor Fields, the Anduin carries on past Minas Tirith and heads west.

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  It courses past Harlond and on between Lossarnach and South Ithilien.

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  After its last bend, the river leaves South Ithilien and forms the north border of Harondor.

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  Joined by its tributary, the Erui, at the Erui Delta, the Anduin forms the south border of Lebennin.

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  From the port of Halach, the final stretch of the river heads towards Pelargir.

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  Past Pelargir, the river turns brackish as it merges into the sea.

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  Even as the water empties into the Bay of Belfalas, the currents of the river carry on west until past Linhir. Over the years, islets have formed from the deposits carried along the river's long journey.