We'll either be camping or staying at an Inn or something similar if it looks like it might be suitable for hobbits. Take some time out to enjoy all that nearby Lake Taupo has to offer. From Whakapapa you can also get an amazing view of Mount Ngauruhoe, the volcano that played the part of Mount Doom. And the films famously omitted that section of the books. The author used the Hobbits journey in the films to motivate herself to get back up on that treadmill and start exercising again. These scenes include the War of the Last Alliance in the prologue, Frodo and Sam seeing Mordor in the distance for the first time, Gollum attacking Sam and Frodo, and more. Simply Walk Into Mordor Challenge In J. R. R. Tolkien's masterpiece "The Lord of The Rings" Frodo and Sam must travel across Middle-earth in order to destroy The One Ring. from Port WaikatoHobbiton was originally built in 1999 for The Lord of the Rings trilogy and mostly demolished after filming. Both are on my must-do list if I can visit again. 2022 New Zealand Tourism Guide. Enter your email address to subscribe and receive an email notification when there is a new post. This will take you away from the main roads, and following along between the hydro dams. Thanks to Tolkiens meticulous detail (and the research of scholars like Karen Wynn Fonstad)we know that Frodo covered roughly 1,779 miles[1] on the outbound leg of his journey from the Shire to Mordor. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); How Long Does It Take to Walk from the Shire toMordor? Mount Cook, the tallest peak in New Zealand, appropriately played the part of The Lonely Mountain. Looking to get in shape but need some extra motivation? Search Google Maps for walking directions and even that site will tell you: "One does not simply walk into Mordor." Tolkien, J. R. R. The Lord of the Rings. In Rivendell, Frodo accepts the task of carrying the One Ring to Mordor, and a company called THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING is selected to help him on his quest. Mount Victoria and its popular Hobbits Hideaway trail will make you feel as though youre traversing the woods surrounding the Shire. It's a big year for The Lord of the Rings, as Amazon's long-awaited TV series, Rings of Power, premieres on September 2. About 15 mins. Walk to Mordor and Back Again (2020) Whether you have been trekking to Mordor for years or just looking to get started, you are welcome to join us at anytime. 2 hours from Auckland 45 minutes from Hamilton 1 hour from Rotorua Matamata is a must see if you're a Lord of the Rings and Hobbit fan. Nonetheless, I would recommend stopping at Arapuni. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. 2022, please join us for "Walk to Mordor" Year 2! New Zealand is a nation of otherworldly scenery, but one of its most magical sights is the Shire at Hobbiton. Queenstowns dramatic mountain peaks and icy blue glacial lakes form a cinematic setting that gave rise to a hotbed of Hobbit sites, like the jagged snow-capped peaks of the Remarkables, which stood in for shots of both the Misty Mountains and Mordor. The Conqueror specializes in virtual fitness challenges that allow people to gamify exercise and map their progress to different virtual scenarios such as scaling Mt Fuji, or Mt Everest, or walking the Great Wall of China. Referenced. Though Isengard was computer generated, the mountains are easily recognizable. About 6km (4 miles) from Ohakune, the Ohakune Beech Paddock was a filming location for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Pick up a free Middle of Middle-earth film map from the tourism office, for a self-guided tour of film-related spots around Wellywood. Or, head out with Flat Earths guided half- or full-day tours to area film sites like the forests of Rivendell, or the quarry used as Helms Deep in Rohan and Minas Tirith in Gondor. Getting there:The Hooker Valley hike begins at the Visitor Centre, or the White Horse Hill car park. That means Frodos eastward journey took 183 days [3], which works out to 9.7 miles a day. I quite agree with you, plodding along the highways is not the most wonderful way to walk. Your options include a 5-day guided hike that allows you to truly immerse yourself in the wonder of natural New Zealand. Though this is quite the drive, there are many amazing places to stop in-between, including Nelson Lakes National Park, Christchurch, and Arthurs Pass. The Conqueror Challenges app has been updated with a Middle-earth map that has five challenges to unlock: The Shire, The Fellowship, Mines of Moria, The Eye of Sauron, and the Mordor. First of all, Frodocheated [4]. ), Summitting Mount Doom (Mt. It ends in Wellington where there is also a major airport or a ferry to the South Island where the road trip could be continued. Would you rather road trip the North Island, South Island, or both? Asking Google Maps for walking directions from the Shire, where the Hobbits live in J.R.R. Either way, the Gods of Fire were summonsed to this land from the ancestral homeland of Hawaiki (compare, Hawai'i) - and they still live under Mounts Tongariro, Ngauruhoe, and Ruapehu, to this day. Frequently Asked Questions. Appalachian Trail Conservancy. There are plenty of hiking options to help you get the most out of your time in Pelorus. from Lake Pukaki lookoutPelennor Fields is the location outside of Minas Tirith where the largest battle of the War of the Ring took place. The South Island trip begins in the North in Picton, where the interisland ferry docks, and ends in Queenstown, a major city with an international airport. And that makes it easy to trace a Hobbit trail through five essential locales that were all featured prominently in past films for your own unexpected journey through Middle Earth. Getting there:From Motueka in the beautiful Golden Bay, it is just 20 minutes (approx) to the Abel Tasman National Park. After registering, I can manage my newsletter subscriptions by visiting my Profile Settings page. The Walk to Rivendell and Beyond. Again, you need hut passes, and again, you need to be experienced trampers. Mount Ngauruhoe is one of three volcanoes in Tongariro National Park, a dual world heritage site located on the North Island of New Zealand. We'll either be camping or staying at an Inn or something similar if it looks like it might be suitable for hobbits. Make sure you are literally, on the right track, otherwise you will end up at Taumarunui. Set of 3 LOTR Prints / The Shire / Gates of Argonath / Mordor / Middle Earth / Posters inspired by LOTR / Lord Of The Rings Gift / Unframed. Whats Left? It took two years to film theLoTRtrilogy, but many millions of years to build the sets..This 8DayLoTRNew Zealand Self Drive Itinerary gets you up close and personal with the grand landscapes that inspired Director Peter Jackson to make the majority ofthe Trilogy in New Zealand's South. Well, as with most things these days, theres an app for that. You decide how you want to accumulate distance. Theres even a reconstruction of an Elven archway dedicated to all Lord of the Rings fans. The Jurassic Coast 96 Miles / 154 KM . The Lake Alta track begins at The Remarkables skifield and is about 2 miles (~3.2 km) out and back. Part of your road lies along the Waikato River - you join it 15km from the Hobbiton set, and follow it for about 75km. Thanks for the advice. . In The Lord of the Rings, Frodo and Sam walk all the way from the Shire to Mount Doom a six month journey. This self-drive New Zealand itinerary focuses on easy going guidedwalks for hikersofmodestfitness who love being in the bush and the naturalenvironment. Hundreds of thousands of workers lost jobs at Google, Meta, and other giants in recent months. In this short video, we meet two guys who spent a week in New Zealand making the 120 mile trek from Hobbiton to the film location of Mount Doom to prove that you can actually walk into Mordor. FEATURES. This is your adventure! Maybe you can get some inspiration from them? Sadly, he passed away before seeing his creation immortalized in the films, but his sons continue his legacy here, where visitors can learn more about the various ring versions used in the film, and purchase replica ring keepsakes for a preccioussss of their very own. accommodation near Hampton Downs race track, waikato, Where to stay to visit Hobbiton and waitomo caves, Driving time from taupo to auckland airport. Thanks to one Middle-earth fan on TikTok by the name of DonMarshall72, we know. View more Lord of the Rings driving routes. Though the exact location can be difficult to identify depending on the time of year, it is easy to imagine the Ringwraiths getting washed away as Arwen and Frodo flee. Guided tours run devotees through pastoral farmland and rolling green hills to the detailed set, chockfull of brightly colored hobbit holes and gardens (including Bilbos Bag End home); past the tall pine Party Tree; and on to Hobbit-inspired brews at the newly opened The Green Dragon Inn. While I might not have Samwise Gamgee by my side to attempt the. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The track starts from SH46 near Lake Rotoaira. There are multiple trails that allow visitors to hike into the valley or up to a lookout above the formations. Have your own go at a Frodo-esque journey by trekking past the steaming vents and scorched lava-flow terrain on whats widely considered New Zealands best one-day hike: the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. The countrys climate woes are just beginning and will likely include rising heat and drought, as well as stronger cyclones. Two things. In the South Island, youre free to imagine yourself floating down the glistening Pelorus River, just like the escaping Dwarves did in The Desolation of Smaug. Traveling around the North Island post cyclone? These guys did the exact same thing a few years back, it's a series of videos. The Shire and Hobbiton Movie Set. Day 37: After a relaxing morning and the biggest breakfast, I have ever had Matt and I set out from the hostel to resupply for the next five days. Also if there are any towns you'd recommend stopping in for the night I'm sure we will all be pleased to sleep in a proper bed occasionally. These two guys spent a week in New Zealand making the 120 mile trek from Hobbiton to the film location of Mount Doom to prove that you can actually walk into Mordor. Haha, perfect. Pingback: 3000GT / Stealth / GTO - Samwise and Mordor. Frodo didnt always travel on foot. The land of rugged coastlines, nature walks, and wildlife. Learn their secrets about what it takes to create the movie masterpieces. A new gamified exercise program challenges players to log workouts in the real world as they virtually follow The Lord of the Rings characters Frodo and Sam from The Shire to Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring. Getting there: The start of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing can be reached by car or a pre-booked shuttle bus. A tramping track begins there, leading you deep into the park, along the top of the ridge, and then back out to SH32 south of Waihaha Road. from Upper HutMount Victoria in Wellington is home to several locations where the Hobbits were filmed leaving the Shire and escaping the Ringwraiths. The drive from Auckland to Hobbiton takes 2.5 hours. New Zealand Faces a Future of Flood and Fire. Other scenes were put together digitally, at the WETA Workshop in Wellington, as well as at soundstages in Wellington and Queenstown. Thanks for any advice you can give on any part of the journey between Matamata and Mt Ngauruhoe! Spend a night in Ohakune under the shadow of rugged Mt Ruapehu and enjoy this small town that acted as a location base forThe Hobbitfilm crew. 2. The Weta Cave tour has an extensive display of props from many of Peter Jacksons movies (including LotR and The Hobbit) and other movies the workshop has worked on. The Shire is a region of J. R. R. Tolkien 's fictional Middle-earth, described in The Lord of the Rings and other works. Ngauruhoe, NZ), 7 Must-See Lord of the Rings Filming Locations. more. Travel time is approximate only, based on an average driving speed under normal road conditions. Perhaps take a short helicopter flight into the heart of Mordor or visit Whakapapa Ski F The Conqueror Virtual Challenges has teamed up with Warner Bros. for a new series of five virtual challenges based on The Lord of the Rings movies. To receive a free, no obligation, personalised itinerary -just follow the link and answer a few brief questions. Tag along on her travels through Europe, Asia, the South Pacific, and Latin Americaand on the high seas in betweenas she reports back to Fodors.com on captivating cruises, hot hotels, and timely travel trends. Electric cars, the pandemic, and changing consumer behavior are now causing other automakers to embrace the shift. Whatever you chose, the wildlife, rainforest and spectacular falls will leave you in awe of your Lord of the Rings hiking tour in New Zealand. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. Check out the range of adrenaline, adventure or relaxing activities in New Zealand. Each time you complete a distance-based exercise such as running, walking, cycling, swimming, etc you advance along the map of Middle-earth. New Zealand Vote. I'm hoping that some of you can give suggestions on a scenic route to follow. In Return of the King, Gandalf declares that, "In Gondor the New Year will always now begin upon the twenty-fifth of March when Sauron fell," pinpointing the date Frodo Baggins finally stood upon the crack of Mount Doom. This scenic movie set is preserved just as it appeared in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films.. Middle Earth comes to life before you the moment you step onto its picturesque landscape. They're going to simply walk into Mordor. You join the river about halfway along Lake Karapiro, and then follow lakes Arapuni, Waipapa, and Maraetai, to where your road veers away from the Waikato valley. One of the best ways to experience this location is with a hike on the Hooker Valley Track. View film props and displays, catch a behind-the-scenes video, or pick up film collectibles. I have up to 3 months to spend, so time isn't really a factor, but I'd prefer to not include any driving/non on-foot transport. Opens in new tab Opens in new tab Opens in new tab. Good luck and happy travels. Though the ruins were computer generated, the hill itself is very recognizable. http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-visit/waikato/waitomo-pureora/pureora-forest-park/. from Tawhai FallsKaitoke Regional Park is the only Lord of the Rings filming location that still has references to its role in the movies (the road signs even say Rivendell!). 4. Following the shooting, the area was returned to its natural state, but even without Hobbit holes it became a prime tourist attraction. The Fellowship Virtual Challenge takes you on Frodo and Sam's journey from The Prancing Pony to The Doors of Durin. from Auckland. 1. The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movie trilogies were both filmed throughout New Zealand, making use of the countrys naturally fantastical landscapes. USA/Canada: 1-877-282-2577 751. and fans- new content, just as good as a whole new story DLC would be anyway! The Road to Mordor - New Zealand. To visit you'll need your own vehicle or you can take a tour from Rotorua or Auckland. It is my favourite hydro dam - not very hobbit-like, I know, but it was a major engineering feat in the 1920s. Photo credits: Hobbiton courtesy of John Garay; Flat Earth Tour courtesy of John Garay; Mount Doom at Tongariro National Park courtesy of John Garay; Helicopter Tour courtesy of Reid Helicopters; Mordor at Queenstown courtesy of John Garay, Fodor's may use your email address to send you relevant information on site updates, account changes, and offers. It was Mt Sunday that was transformed into the home of the Rohan people and Meduseld in The Two Towers. from Auckland. The Shire to Mordor; THE RETURN OF THE KING; ALL LOTR (6+2 FREE) More. Turn off State Highway 6, 500m south of Franz Josef Village onto the Franz Josef Glacier access road until you reach the car park. It accounts for the longer distance recorded in Tolkien's book. JOIN NOW. With magical landscapes around every corner, it can be hard to see where Middle-earth ends and the real New Zealand begins. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. This trip includes the most enjoyable filming locations and passes through some amazing South Island scenery. Most of the area where this was filmed is on private farmland, so the only way to visit is with a tour, which I would highly recommend for any dedicated LotR fans. You can also join a full-day bus tour to Hobbiton from Auckland . You may also want to rest at the historic Chateau Tongariro Hotel. The Fellowship traveled an estimated 1,779 miles* from the Shire to Mordor, over the course of several months. One does not simply walk into Mordor. The Great Waitaki An Iconic Valley - Part I, Twizel then Westerly Ho! In the UK, youd have to hike the Thames Path nearly 10 times. Elon Musks New Twitter Superpower Is Dangerous. Weathertop (Amon Sl) is the hill where the Hobbits are attacked by Ringwraiths in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. Hope you return afterwards and let us know how it all goes! Some reading on the "Shire" and Hobbiton if you cba to read the books: . Let's find a better place for you to go. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Ngauruhoe has always had great spiritual and cultural significance Read more. So in essence,. from Hobbits HideawayAlthough much of the filming was actually done at a studio a couple minutes down the street, Weta Workshop created the majority of the props, scenery, costumes, and special effects for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies. The issue is that there doesn't appear to be a good path to get there. With it karst marble outcrops Takaka Hill was the perfect setting for Chetwood Forest in The Fellowship of the Ring an area traversed by Hobbits and Aragorn (Strider) as they escaped from the fictional village of Bree. (739) $36.51 FREE shipping. You'd still have to average 4.8 miles a day. (LogOut/ We also know that Frodo left Bag End on September 23, and arrived at Mount Doom on March 25 of the following year [2]. The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movie trilogies were both filmed throughout New Zealand, making use of the countrys naturally fantastical landscapes. In The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, the beautifully blue Lake Pukaki played the Long Lake where Lake-Town was computer generated. Read more about Hobbits Hideaway, About 10 mins. But it's the only alternative I can think of to the entire plod down SH32.. As it only cuts off 35km of that road, and adds considerably more in energy expenditure, as well as of course time, you might well not wish to do it. They estimate that from the Shire to the fires of Mount Doom spans an enormous 2,765.6 kilometers. The other journey Id love to know the distance of is the Noldor crossing from Valinor to Middle-earth. You can hover and click on every point on the line to show more information about the events on each day. When you have clicked on a day and opened a popup box you can navigate to the next or previous day . But then Peter Jackson filmed his trilogy and transformed New Zealand into Middle-Earth. Thisregion was used as the location for some of the filming of Mordor in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. . WIRED is where tomorrow is realized. With crystal clear waters, framed by native forest its easy to see why Pelorus River was chosen for the Dwarves in Barrels scene during The Desolation of Smaug. The New Zealand Cycle Trail covers the country from head to toe. This area set the scene for the unnerving trek undertaken by Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli as they sought the Paths of the Dead in The Return of the King. About 2.5 hrs. Beginners may start around 8, and experienced hikers might hit 15 or 20, but hikers on the Appalachian trail average around 12.7 miles per day [5], covering 2,180 miles in 6 months. Getting there:The Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve is located between Blenheim and Nelson in New Zealands South Island.
