Places in Middle-earth
Misty Mountains
Type: Mountains, Hills, Promontories
Region: Rhovanion/Misty Mtns
Other Names Hithaeglir, Towers of Mist
Location: Running north-south, they divide Eriador from Rhovanion. Several rivers originate on the eastern slopes of the mountain chain; they empty into the Anduin which roughly parallels the Misty Mountains for much of its course.
The northern edge of the range bends west and bears the the name Mountains of Angmar. The eastern side projects a lower and shorter separate side chain: the Grey Mountains.
Description: "...mountains whose sharp horns seemed to pierce the realm of the stars.…the mountains were the Hithaeglir, the Towers of Mist upon the borders of Eriador; yet they were taller and more terrible in those days, and were reared by Melkor to hinder the riding of Oromë."
They were so daunting that "…when Oromë was gone forward the Teleri looked upon the shadowy heights and were afraid."
The Silmarillion, Ch 3, Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor
The mountains are said to be cold, and if Caradhras is a good example, snowcapped. In the Hobbit it is mentioned that the east side of the Misty Mountains has pine forests.
The Hobbit, Ch 7, Queer Lodgings
The range has been inhabited at various times by orcs and eagles, wargs and dwarves.
It is notable that the Misty Mountains defined the Nandor - those of the Teleri who refused to cross the mountains.
Passes: In The Hobbit Tolkien says there "were many paths that led up into those mountains, and many passes over them." He names only three: The High Pass, the Redhorn Pass, and the Gap of Rohan.
There are at least two routes under the mountains: Moria and the unnamed orc caves that Bilbo and the dwarves travel through.
The Hobbit, Ch 4, Over Hill and Under Hill
Named Peaks: Mount Gundabad, Caradhras, Celebdil, Fanuidhol, Methedras
Contributors: Lyllyn 12.05.03
