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

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.

ninlaith · 09-06-2004, 08:47 PM

I think the Shire parts of Middle-Earth could have been easily shot in PA. Living in a very rural area I know of many places that are very hobbit like. Alot of over grown paths and little rivers and fields everywhere. It wouldn't have been difficult at all really. Just take your pick. However our grass isn't really THAT green, so that wouldn't work. Maybe in some rich soiled areas it would. There's an area near Pittsburgh called Novelt that is VERY Shire like. It has so many foothills and little rivers running everywhere. It's very beautiful.

Tuor of Gondolin · 09-07-2004, 11:19 AM

"I think the Shire parts of Middle-Earth could have been easily shot in PA."
----------------------

And if you've been along Route 6 in northern Pa. near Wellsboro is "The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania", (Pine Creek Gorge).
Of course, it's thickly forested, but from the west side looking to
the headquarters buildings and lookout veranda it rather
reminds you of Rivendell, especially since it's a little tricky
getting to the park headquarters.

(A few pictures)
http://postcards.route-6.com/tioga.html
http://www.visittiogapa.com/grandcanyon.html

Lady Gamgee · 09-07-2004, 07:34 PM

Right here on my farm of course

Well, it's part farm & part woodland, all 156 acres of it. There are many different paths in the woods and fields that the deer have made ... looks like something right out of a Hobbit's world. It's especially enchanting during a rain storm. Many huge trees, wildflowers, rocks, a couple of caves, etc .... Mountains & hills surround us from every angle, complete with a creek that runs through our backyard, gently rolling over rocks, shaping it's way. It's quite nice here, wouldn't wanna live anywhere else.

Plus we live at the foot of a mountain that is said to have gold buried on it from the civil war times. The Appalacian trail runs through it too ... another old trail that would be wonderful for a scenic view. All of this is here in southern WV.

09-01-2004, 07:17 PM	#1
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	#3
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	#4
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

09-06-2004, 08:47 PM	#5
ninlaith Wight Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: in my hobbit hole Posts: 204	I think the Shire parts of Middle-Earth could have been easily shot in PA. Living in a very rural area I know of many places that are very hobbit like. Alot of over grown paths and little rivers and fields everywhere. It wouldn't have been difficult at all really. Just take your pick. However our grass isn't really THAT green, so that wouldn't work. Maybe in some rich soiled areas it would. There's an area near Pittsburgh called Novelt that is VERY Shire like. It has so many foothills and little rivers running everywhere. It's very beautiful. __________________ "I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve!"-Bilbo Baggins

09-07-2004, 11:19 AM	#6
Tuor of Gondolin Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pennsylvania, WtR, passed Sarn Gebir: Above the rapids (1239 miles) BtR, passed Black Rider Stopping Place (31 miles) Posts: 1,548	"I think the Shire parts of Middle-Earth could have been easily shot in PA." ---------------------- And if you've been along Route 6 in northern Pa. near Wellsboro is "The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania", (Pine Creek Gorge). Of course, it's thickly forested, but from the west side looking to the headquarters buildings and lookout veranda it rather reminds you of Rivendell, especially since it's a little tricky getting to the park headquarters. (A few pictures) http://postcards.route-6.com/tioga.html http://www.visittiogapa.com/grandcanyon.html __________________ Aure Entuluva! Last edited by Tuor of Gondolin; 09-07-2004 at 11:26 AM.

09-02-2004, 12:33 PM	#2
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.

09-07-2004, 07:34 PM	#7
Lady Gamgee Animated Skeleton Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: The Shire Posts: 30	Right here on my farm of course Well, it's part farm & part woodland, all 156 acres of it. There are many different paths in the woods and fields that the deer have made ... looks like something right out of a Hobbit's world. It's especially enchanting during a rain storm. Many huge trees, wildflowers, rocks, a couple of caves, etc .... Mountains & hills surround us from every angle, complete with a creek that runs through our backyard, gently rolling over rocks, shaping it's way. It's quite nice here, wouldn't wanna live anywhere else. Plus we live at the foot of a mountain that is said to have gold buried on it from the civil war times. The Appalacian trail runs through it too ... another old trail that would be wonderful for a scenic view. All of this is here in southern WV. __________________ "....though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater." ~~ Haldir