In Search Of...Hobbit-like walking paths - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

piosenniel · 09-01-2004, 01:17 AM

Here's a nice Shire-like place for those Hobbits living in the southern Willamette Valley of Oregon:

Mt. Pisgah Arboretum

From the top of Mount Pisgah you can appreciate this scene in LotR - Book One - Chapter 11 - Knife in the Dark:

Quote:

Standing upon the rim of the ruined circle, they saw all round below them a wide prospect, for the most part of lands empty and featureless, except for patches of woodland away to the south, beyond which they caught here & there the glint of distant water. Beneath them on this southern side there ran like a ribbon the Old Road, coming out of the West & winding up & down, until it faded behind a ridge of dark land to the east. Nothing was moving on it. Following its line eastward with their eyes they saw the mountains: the nearer foothills were brown & sombre; behind them stood taller shapes of grey; and behind those again were high white peaks glimmering among the clouds.

mark12_30 · 09-01-2004, 06:09 AM

In Rhode Island, nothing beats Arcadia . There are roads broad and paths slender, trickling brooks and mossy streams, withywindle rivers, pine ridges, beech groves, deep woods, hills, and plenty of rocks for Trolls to hide in.

Lalwendë · 09-01-2004, 01:38 PM

I've never been to the US but from what I've read Appalachia sounds fantastic and unearthly. Someone's going to shatter my illusions now, I can just see it!

In the UK, there's a lot of strange walks you can take. Boggle Hole in North Yorkshire is a fairy glen leading straight down to the sea, which I think of as very elven. You can read descriptions of it in AS Byatt's Possession. Or you could visit the real Green Dragon Inn at Hardraw Force in North Yorkshire. I can always recommend walking around Malham, too, as long as you don't go at weekend!

Cornwall provides some very 'hobbity' walking. The little lanes are very narrow and edged with steep stone banks, covered in vegetation - lethal for cars, but wonderful for walkers as you see so many plant species, and occasionally lizards. Speaking of lizards, you are guaranteed to see these on the Goonhilly Downs in Cornwall, with the added bonus of feeling you are on the Barrow Downs. Unfortunately, you do have to look away from the huge radar station (unless you like that kind of thing).

I also like Stanton Moor in Derbyshire, which has an ancient feel. Here you find the Nine Ladies stone circle, hidden among the trees. This place has just been saved from quarrying, thankfully.

Lancashire has a lot of hobbity places, well away from the towns, and it is said that Tolkien may have drawn his inspiration for The Shire from around the Ribble Valley. There are a few hidden away places well worth a visit, including the tiny village of Slaidburn which is hidden in a steep valley and has a pub called The Hark to Bounty. Going West from here you'll also come across Dunsop Bridge, and then the Trough of Bowland, where you could spend all day walking round and imagining yourself in Middle Earth. Move on from here and you should come to Quernmoor, where you can go up a castellated tower and survey the view for miles.

The Elusive Spirit · 09-01-2004, 07:17 PM

Tuor, I know of many good trails in southwestern PA. I don't know any off hand, but if you feel like driving several hours west I can find some names for you. I do know of a beautiful trail out by the state college that reminds me of the hobbit's path out of Bree. I think my dad knows the name. I can ask him if your
interested.

For anyone who is looking for a nice vacation you should head to Gatlinburg, Ten. The town is very touristy but it is extremely close to the Great Smoky Mts. If you haven't guessed, it is the Misty Mts. in the United States.
Another place out of Middle Earth is the Bad Lands National Park, South Dakota. My brother and I agree it looks strikingly like Enym Muil.
Many happy trails!

Lalwendë · 09-02-2004, 12:33 PM

Bill Bryson's A Walk in the Woods is a great book if you like walking - he sets out on the Appalachian Trail and his adventures are funny and informative - for a Brit anyway. This book should give you plenty of ideas for good Hobbity and Entish walks.

elfearz1 · 09-03-2004, 06:21 PM

ah well living in the city I dont have much choice, but we do have some parks that I can take a walk in. Well good luck in your endeavor.

Laitoste · 09-03-2004, 06:35 PM

In Wisconsin, we have 14 state trails (I just learned this yesterday). I'm not sure how many are "hobbity", exactly, as I haven't been on any except on that runs from my town 15 miles to a larger town, mostly in the city. Not exactly hobbity. Anyway, there is a nice walking trail in the Upper Penninsula of Michigan that's by the Menominee River (I think). If you have an odd imagination, it's kind of hobbity, maybe... Thinking back on it, it strikes me as such, but my memory tends to fool me. And maybe the Kettle Moraine area has some. Driving through, it seemed to be a place hobbits would enjoy.

09-01-2004, 06:09 AM	#2
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	In Rhode Island, nothing beats Arcadia . There are roads broad and paths slender, trickling brooks and mossy streams, withywindle rivers, pine ridges, beech groves, deep woods, hills, and plenty of rocks for Trolls to hide in. __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.

09-01-2004, 07:17 PM	#4
The Elusive Spirit Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The out-skirts of Bree, on my way to some where. Posts: 53	Tuor, I know of many good trails in southwestern PA. I don't know any off hand, but if you feel like driving several hours west I can find some names for you. I do know of a beautiful trail out by the state college that reminds me of the hobbit's path out of Bree. I think my dad knows the name. I can ask him if your interested. For anyone who is looking for a nice vacation you should head to Gatlinburg, Ten. The town is very touristy but it is extremely close to the Great Smoky Mts. If you haven't guessed, it is the Misty Mts. in the United States. Another place out of Middle Earth is the Bad Lands National Park, South Dakota. My brother and I agree it looks strikingly like Enym Muil. Many happy trails! __________________ Before these fields were shorn and tilled, Full to the brim our rivers flowed; The melody of waters filled The fresh and boundless wood, And torrents dashed, and rivlets played, And fountains spouted in the shade. -Bryant

09-03-2004, 06:21 PM	#6
elfearz1 Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Mirkwood Posts: 259	ah well living in the city I dont have much choice, but we do have some parks that I can take a walk in. Well good luck in your endeavor. __________________ I didn't eat Merry, i just ate his waistcoat!-Horse maidens dream 915/920 miles. On my way to Lothlorien! ^^Elfearz^^

09-03-2004, 06:35 PM	#7
Laitoste Wight Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Behind the hills Posts: 164	In Wisconsin, we have 14 state trails (I just learned this yesterday). I'm not sure how many are "hobbity", exactly, as I haven't been on any except on that runs from my town 15 miles to a larger town, mostly in the city. Not exactly hobbity. Anyway, there is a nice walking trail in the Upper Penninsula of Michigan that's by the Menominee River (I think). If you have an odd imagination, it's kind of hobbity, maybe... Thinking back on it, it strikes me as such, but my memory tends to fool me. And maybe the Kettle Moraine area has some. Driving through, it seemed to be a place hobbits would enjoy. __________________ "If we're still alive in the morning, we'll know that we're not dead."~South Park

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09-01-2004, 01:38 PM	#3
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	I've never been to the US but from what I've read Appalachia sounds fantastic and unearthly. Someone's going to shatter my illusions now, I can just see it! In the UK, there's a lot of strange walks you can take. Boggle Hole in North Yorkshire is a fairy glen leading straight down to the sea, which I think of as very elven. You can read descriptions of it in AS Byatt's Possession. Or you could visit the real Green Dragon Inn at Hardraw Force in North Yorkshire. I can always recommend walking around Malham, too, as long as you don't go at weekend! Cornwall provides some very 'hobbity' walking. The little lanes are very narrow and edged with steep stone banks, covered in vegetation - lethal for cars, but wonderful for walkers as you see so many plant species, and occasionally lizards. Speaking of lizards, you are guaranteed to see these on the Goonhilly Downs in Cornwall, with the added bonus of feeling you are on the Barrow Downs. Unfortunately, you do have to look away from the huge radar station (unless you like that kind of thing). I also like Stanton Moor in Derbyshire, which has an ancient feel. Here you find the Nine Ladies stone circle, hidden among the trees. This place has just been saved from quarrying, thankfully. Lancashire has a lot of hobbity places, well away from the towns, and it is said that Tolkien may have drawn his inspiration for The Shire from around the Ribble Valley. There are a few hidden away places well worth a visit, including the tiny village of Slaidburn which is hidden in a steep valley and has a pub called The Hark to Bounty. Going West from here you'll also come across Dunsop Bridge, and then the Trough of Bowland, where you could spend all day walking round and imagining yourself in Middle Earth. Move on from here and you should come to Quernmoor, where you can go up a castellated tower and survey the view for miles.

09-02-2004, 12:33 PM	#5
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	Bill Bryson's A Walk in the Woods is a great book if you like walking - he sets out on the Appalachian Trail and his adventures are funny and informative - for a Brit anyway. This book should give you plenty of ideas for good Hobbity and Entish walks.