View more Lord of the Rings driving routes. Search Google Maps for walking directions and even that site will tell you: "One does not simply walk into Mordor." In the end though, what is more motivating than imagining oneself as Frodo or Sam, needing to walk that pesky One Ring into the volcano to its destruction? 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. Doom and 1625 Miles to get back to Bag End (with an extra 467 Miles to the Grey Havens). Embark on an unexpected journey and get ready for an awesome self drive LoTR (Hobbit) filming locations tour. Oh no. The sheep seem pretty idyllic themselves: polite little nibblers who only sometimes . Getting there:The Putangirua Pinnacles track is located in the Aorangi Forest Park, just an hours drive from Martinborough. 458 MILES from Hobbiton to Rivendell ! Filming Locations in North Island Matamata 1. Getting there:The best way to reach the start of the Milford Track is by departing Queenstown or Te Anau. View on Map. Weathertop (Amon Sl) is the hill where the Hobbits are attacked by Ringwraiths in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. The tour guide is extremely knowledgeable about the filming of the movies and how the town was involved. The Weta Cave serves as the shop-front for the Oscar-winning Weta Worskhop, the special effects studios behind Peter Jacksons film empire. Check out the range of adrenaline, adventure or relaxing activities in 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 guides at Adrift Outdoor Adventures are nearly as good as the fellowship to lead your way, and the companys owner worked with the LOTR team during filming (just note that the traditional crossing route has been altered due to a recent eruption). 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. These formations truly make you feel as though you are in an entirely different world. 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. That means Frodos eastward journey took 183 days [3], which works out to 9.7 miles a day. Journey to Mordor Experience wilderness in Tongariro National Park - an area known for its mountainous, desolate beauty. 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. No hiking experience is necessary. Make sure you are literally, on the right track, otherwise you will end up at Taumarunui. Also, camping is heavily preferred over staying at a formal accommodation. Tesla pioneered selling vehicles online. 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. 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. 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. Aragorn stands in front of the lake as shown above, looking out towards Lothlorien. Mounjaro did what decades of struggle with managing weight couldnt. And in the spirit of fellowship, users can log workouts together to see how they stack up and to remain motivated to complete the challenge. Gay marriage has helped pave the way for rainbow tourism in New Zealand. The Beach, 85Beach Road, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Head off down SH32 from Whakamaru, and then to the south-west on Arataki road, right to the end. With magical landscapes around every corner, it can be hard to see where Middle-earth ends and the real New Zealand begins. Maybe you can get some inspiration from them? from The RemarkablesOn the Bobs Cove Track in Mount Creighton is the lookout where Frodo and Sam see the men of Harad and the Oliphaunts in The Two Towers. Enjoy a guided tour around The Shire, where your knowledgeable guide will enlighten you about the history and the on-location filming processes. 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. To revist this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. Wt is the Academy Award-winning company behind the special effects of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies, and the Wt Cave(opens in new window) in Wellington is a mini-museum that showcases the props and characters that create the movie magic. Routeburn and Milford Tracks, Glaciers & More. What a wonderful idea, Precious! 751. HOWEVER, hobbits are smaller than humans and have a smaller stride like a child. It rests inside of Tongariro National Park, which was New Zealand's first UNESCO World Heritage site. Here Ive put together the most efficient Lord of the Rings road trip that hits many of the most recognizable, quintessential filming locations. These guys did the exact same thing a few years back, it's a series of videos. 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. Dont be surprised for fellow guests to quickly adopt character once properly cloaked and armed with weaponryor, even if one or two amongst you proves well-versed in Elvish (the language of Tolkiens elves). Then carry on to the central North Island's Volcanic Plateau for a dramatic contrastyou'll soon see why these mystical landscapes were so easily transformed into Mordor, Emyn Muil and Mount Doom. The company says it has already planted more than 5.4 million trees and prevented 3.7 million plastic bottles from getting dumped into the ocean from its other campaigns. 10 The Lake District, England (The Shire) The rolling fields and tiny towns of this national park bear an unmistakable resemblance to the Shire, but rising above the . Take some time out to enjoy all that nearby Lake Taupo has to offer. Hobbiton Movie Set, Waikato By Hobbiton Movie Set And Frodo and Sam both walked barefoot. An easy drive south of Auckland will take you to the verdant Waikato, home to Hobbiton and The Shire. NZ has excellent ski and snowboarding options for a range of abilities on many skifields. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. and fans- new content, just as good as a whole new story DLC would be anyway! Why not walk from the Shire to Mordor? Appendix C. 50th Anniversary ed. The Walk to Mordor app actually outdoes the journey in the films. In the heart of New Zealand, step into the lush pastures of the Shire with a guided walking tour of Hobbiton, as featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies. About 2.5 hrs. Oddly enough, both the dam and the powerhouse are historic places. I've checked out their route and it looks like they went through they Waikato River trails too, but then stuck to the main road for the rest of their journey. It is little wonder that Peter Jackson selected New Zealandto bringTolkien's Middle-earth tothe big screen. New Zealand Vote. . I quite agree with you, plodding along the highways is not the most wonderful way to walk. While the original LOTR Shire set had been largely dismantled post-filming, The Hobbit brought an entirely rebuilt site that was left intact as a permanent attraction (now jointly owned by the original farm family and Peter Jackson). Hopefully if we pace ourselves a little better and do it over a few extra days our feet won't end up looking like those poor Americans hahaha. Look out for our newsletters with travel tips and special offers. Stop for a pint ofThe Hobbit Southfarthing beerat the Green Dragon Inn or grab a light lunch at the Shires Rest Caf. It's the equivalent of walking from Denver to New York City, or from London to Moscow (provided you take the Chunnel, of course). To receive a free, no obligation, personalised itinerary -just follow the link and answer a few brief questions. GameSpot may get a share of the revenue if you buy anything featured on our site. First of all, Frodocheated [4]. from Kaitoke Regional ParkThe Hutt River throughout Upper Hutt was used to portray the Anduin River in The Fellowship of the Ring when the Fellowship paddles along the Anduin in Elven canoes. The Hobbiton Movie Set was created for The Lord of the Rings trilogy and rebuilt for The Hobbit trilogy. Frequently Asked Questions. Appalachian Trail Conservancy. From cast hangouts to the landscape of Mordor, New Zealand is an incredible travel destination . United Kingdom:0808-189-2382 Read on to see my top 7 Lord of the Rings filming locations to visit! Asking Google Maps for walking directions from the Shire, where the Hobbits live in J.R.R. Cross Cook Strait and enjoy Kiwi hospitality. New Zealand/Aotearoa is calling all halflings, elves and sorcerers on a quest through the ethereal and fantastical landscapes of the North Island, taking in The Shire to Mordor.. USA/Canada: 1-877-282-2577 5. TOP 101. Here you will find sheer walls of granite rising 800 meters from the basin floor, and a monumental glacier creating a number of cascading waterfalls from its meltwater that spill down from the cliff-tops. 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. Following the shooting, the area was returned to its natural state, but even without Hobbit holes it became a prime tourist attraction. from Port WaikatoHobbiton was originally built in 1999 for The Lord of the Rings trilogy and mostly demolished after filming. 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. Makes Sense. What is the weather like in the South Island in September. This is around a 200KM walk and will probably take us about a week to finish. Players can unlock each challenge individually or as a bundle containing all five. You can get a great view of the Hutt River and the surrounding scenery and skip some pebbles in Poets Park. Participants can run, cycle, swim, or walk to reach the set distance, and each stop has stories and postcards detailing Frodo and Sam's journey. Explore NewZealand - the real Middleearth - and follow in the footsteps of Bilbo, Frodo and Samfrom Tongariro National Park in the north, to Treble Cone and the Misty Mountains pathway in the south. 2014. Tolkien, J. R. R. The Lord of the Rings. About 40 mins. And having been the onscreen stand-in for J.R.R. Get answers to your questions about North Island, Photos showing where to visit in the North Island, From Auckland to Wellington in 10 days via Road, Flying in to Auckland April 26 for about 10 days, Help needed..North Island Itinerary - 10-11 days in Jun 2023. The lines in the graph above represent the journeys by Bilbo and Frodo in the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings respectively. I got a basic route from google heading down SH32 but the idea of walking alongside the road for our entire journey doesn't sound very interesting. Not Sleeping and Freaking Out About the World? 2022, please join us for "Walk to Mordor" Year 2! This self-drive New Zealand itinerary focuses on easy going guidedwalks for hikersofmodestfitness who love being in the bush and the naturalenvironment. About 45 mins. 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. About 25 mins. from Ithilien Lookout In my opinion, the drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy is one of the most scenic drives in New Zealand. My friends and I propose something slightly more complex, just for fun: a 552 mile (888 km) hike from the Shire, to Rivendell (A New Zealand national park), to Moria, to Mordor. 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. We lost this page. The filming location is on private farmland but can be seen from Waikaretu Road just South of Port Waikato. Only Bag End is featured extensively. Two direct hiking routes take you to the Putangirua Pinnacles, which can be undertaken in 2-4 hours. This portion of the road trip begins in Auckland where most international flights come in. Stopping off at Tom Bombadil's house factors into the app's. Mithrandir . This is around a 200KM walk and will probably take us about a week to finish. from Auckland. There are signs and maps all over the park pointing out where buildings like Frodos bedroom were constructed and which trees can be seen in the movies. 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. 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. It accounts for the longer distance recorded in Tolkien's book. Thanks for the advice. Ad Choices. 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. Glacier-carved valleys, sparkling rivers and rugged mountainous landscapes await you at Edoras, a must-do stop on any Lord of the Rings hiking tour in New Zealand. 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. At the end of the journey, stop for a few nights at the Chateau Tongariro - a bit large, for hobbits, but it is the most comfortable hotel in these parts, and has a great view of Mount Ngauruhoe from its lobby, if the day is clear. You may also want to rest at the historic Chateau Tongariro Hotel. Perhaps someone else can. Journey from the exciting urban hub of Auckland to Matamata - the home of the Hobbiton Movie Set. Freedom walkers can also walk the Milford Track, butare advised to check all details of the journey before they begin. That's why, as Google Maps itself insists, "One does not simply walk into Mordor.". The Walk to Mordor app actually outdoes the journey in the films. 3. Elon Musks New Twitter Superpower Is Dangerous. The Shire is an inland area settled exclusively by hobbits, the Shire-folk, largely sheltered from the goings-on in the rest of Middle-earth. Now, I don't know if I am doing right by sending you this way, it can be tough walking, and you will have heavier loads on your backs than Frodo and company, as you can't take ponies with you to carry much of the baggage! This means that the events of The Lord of the Rings take place over six months, or 182 days using the Shire calendar. About 1 hr. A new gamified fitness challenge involves performing exercise equivalent to the distance from The Shire to Mount Doom. Make sure you are literally, on the right track, otherwise you will end up at Taumarunui. I think it might have been because they didn't have a lot of time, or maybe their legs were too sore to climb any more mountains. A short riverside walk gives you a glimpse of the river that was once full of Dwarves on the silver screen, while a 3-4 hour trek takes you through podocarp forests, over a swing bridge and past thundering waterfalls on a track that makes up part of New Zealand's Te Araroa Trail - The Long Pathway, an incredible walk that runs the length of New Two diehard Tolkien fans. All the Top New Features in MacOS Ventura. Both are on my must-do list if I can visit again. New Zealand Faces a Future of Flood and Fire. Or, about 1,718.5 miles. Each challenge completed leads to five trees planted or 50 plastic bottles saved. Ever since those endearing little Hobbits first hit Hollywood, film fans have flocked to New Zealand in search of something tangible from the beloved films. It turns out that Frodo and Sam walked a whopping 2,765.6 kilometres (1,718.5 miles). It is also famous forthe Tongariro Crossing - an iconic kiwi day hike. Stranger Things has always been packed with pop culture references, and Season 4 . The choice of that mountain as Mount Doom was interesting, I thought, as the mountain's name comes from name of the slave of the priest Ngatoro who died on its summit, either from cold, or as a sacrifice to the Gods, depending on the legend. 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. And its named, appropriately enough, Walk to Mordor. The existence of this app comes to us via a story on CNET. Get a behind-the-scenes look before checking out nearby filming locations. Hobbiton itself, is 15km south-west of Matamata. 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. Fonstad, Karen Wynn. Nonetheless, you would be truly doing hobbit-like mountain walks, along the side of Mount Titiraupenga. Think I missed something? New features include a pub, more Hobbit homes, an electric fence to keep out the sheep and a gift shop offering high-end collectibles (magic cloaks, 900 New Zealand dollars, about $760 U.S.). Hundreds of thousands of workers lost jobs at Google, Meta, and other giants in recent months. See our top picks of Lord of the Rings hiking tours in New Zealand, and get ready for your unexpected journey to begin! An easy drive south of Auckland will take you to the verdant Waikato, home to Hobbiton and The Shire. Frodo also stopped for a good while in both Rivendell and Lothlorien. We have handcrafted a series of inspiring of New Zealand Lord of the Rings Tours that can all be fully customised to your exact requirements. Though the ruins were computer generated, the hill itself is very recognizable. 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. Those wanting to explore more Lord of the Rings hiking tours in New Zealand can do so by undertaking a multi-day hike of the Abel Tasman Coastal Track, a varied hike filled with lush forests giving way to white sandy-shores and welcoming wildlife. I've turned several themes from The Lord of the Rings & The Hobbit movies into chill, instrumental and easy-listening lofi beats so you can study, focus on work, read, draw, play games, relax or simply just daydream about walking around Rivendell while listening to classic soundtracks from . Of course, you wouldnt be weighed down by the worlds most powerful evil hanging around your neck, either. Your options include a 5-day guided hike that allows you to truly immerse yourself in the wonder of natural New Zealand. Then drive on to Wellington, production base for The Lord of the Rings movies and Director Peter Jackson's hometown. Eddie Makuch There are multiple trails that allow visitors to hike into the valley or up to a lookout above the formations. It's no wonder Peter Jackson chose this as the location for Beorn's House in The Hobbit Trilogy, as well asIsengard, Lothlorien and Amon Hen in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Walking into the Hobbiton Movie Set is like walking into the actual Hobbiton and is a must-do for fans and non-fans alike. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. Its the equivalent of walking from Denver to New York City, or from London to Moscow (provided you take the Chunnel, of course). They're going to simply walk into Mordor. A new Lord of the Rings TV series has also . 2. Its no surprise that it was chosen as the beautiful backdrop for Isengard. Find Hobbit-themed tourisms epicenter in this artsy little capital and film hub, which recently hosted The Hobbit world premiere (at the stylishly refurbished 1920s Embassy Theatre). As the map notes, orcs and trolls present serious potential traffic delays. For all those interested, and for fans of LOTR and the Hobbit, NerdFitness have done a breakdown of the miles it takes from the beginning at the Shire to the end at Mordor and have calculated it to be around 1779 Miles to Mt. But then Peter Jackson filmed his trilogy and transformed New Zealand into Middle-Earth. Gorgeous New Zealand scenery. Over 5,000 NZ events listed - find an event anywhere in the country. Google maps has the 208km journey, but as it is mostly following the highway this doesn't appeal at all. Travel time is approximate only, based on an average driving speed under normal road conditions. e.g. Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion. While the cast of characters has been shuffled some since LOTR days, New Zealands jagged mountain peaks, rolling green hills, sweeping forests, dramatic glaciers, and volcanic valleys remain. The WIRED conversation illuminates how technology is changing every aspect of our livesfrom culture to business, science to design. 10 mins. From the towering Mount Doom in Mordor, to the dreamy Hobbiton in the Shire, New Zealand's otherworldly landscapes brought the movies to life. Follow Frodo and Sam's journey down the 282mi (454km) route over the wasteland of Mordor and complete the quest by throwing the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom. . It was Mt Sunday that was transformed into the home of the Rohan people and Meduseld in The Two Towers. A physically fit person could cover roughly 12 miles per day, taking into account breaks, sleeping and difficult terrain. Follow this map, and it will guide you on, and off, country roads, down tracks and bike trails, from Horahora Road to Whakamaru Dam. The surrounding mountains make for an unbeatable view. Then follow the glacier access track. from MatamataThe area around the Whakapapa Ski Resort on Mount Ruapehu and a rock formation named Meads Wall served as Mordor in quite a few scenes in all three Lord of the Rings movies. It would be interesting to know how long the journey would be on foot all the way, and also how far it would be going the fellowships original route through Rohan. The distances are listed below. You can either post all your distances to all of your challenges or you can decide what types of distances go to which challenges. Just like a giant could walk further in a day than a human, its only logical a human could walk further in a day than a Hobbit. A short riverside walk gives you a glimpse of the river that was once full of Dwarves on the silver screen, while a 3-4 hour trek takes you through podocarp forests, over a swing bridge and past thundering waterfalls on a track that makes up part of New Zealands Te Araroa Trail - The Long Pathway, an incredible walk that runs the length of New Zealand. Would you rather road trip the North Island, South Island, or both? 88MilesPerHourPrints. Getting there:Drive 25km (15.5 miles) along an unsealed (gravel) road before beginning your journey to the summit of Mt Sunday. Some Hobbits don't like to stray too far from home, but occasionally they embark on a grand adventure. It's a 19.4km one-way journey where you can experience the beautiful national park in full. Singapore:800-130-1776