The LOTR TRAIL - 7 amazing places to retrace Frodo Baggins's epic journey

When we talk about movies , The Lord Of The Rings is one of the favorite trilogies for many . This movie tells the story of Frodo Baggins who carries “the one ring” to Mount Doom. This blog tries recreating the epic trail through 7 amazing locations in New Zealand . YES ! Those beautiful locations do exist in real. Drop us a note here and we will hand craft a personalised New Zealand LOTR trail for you to witness the Middle Earth.

“THE SHIRE”

The lush dairy farming landscape around the Waikato town of Matamata was used to portray the peaceful Shire region of Middle-earth. The village of Hobbiton was created here.

Did you know- It has since been rebuilt for the filming of The Hobbit Trilogy, and will now remain as a permanent attraction

“EDORAS”

Edoras was the chief city in the kingdom of Rohan, built atop a rocky outcrop in a valley surrounded on nearly all sides by craggy mountains. It is actually Mount Sunday in the Canterbury Region of New Zealand, lying in the Rangitata Valley .

Did you know– it lies on the property of Erewhon Station, which requires travel through Mount Potts Sheep Station, as well — all private property.

“ARGONATH”

The Argonath, also known as The Gates of Argonath or The Pillars of Kings, is a monument comprising two enormous statues carved in the likenesses of Isildur and Anárion. Kawarau Gorge on the Kawarau River, was the site of the ‘Argonath’, the gigantic statues of the two kings of Gondor past which the Fellowship sails.

Did you know– Kawarau Gorge takes you through the heart of one of New Zealand’s most historic gold mining regions

“THE MISTY MOUNTAINS”

Stretching across the central and southern parts of the South Island of New Zealand, the mighty chain of mountains named the Southern Alps was used extensively in filming The Lord of the Rings. The majestic peaks, with their exquisite glacier carved lakes and rivers depicted the Misty Mountains of Tolkien’s Middle Earth

Did you know –with prevailing westerly winds, the range creates excellent wave soaring conditions for gliding. It is one of the best spots for gliding worldwide

“WHITE MOUNTAINS”

Ered Nimrais “Whitehorn Mountains”, is a fictional mountain range in J. R. R. Tolkien‘s Middle-earth. The Franz Josef glacier located in Westland Tai Poutini National Park was used to shoot these mountains. The glacier is currently 12 km long and terminates 19 km from the Tasman Sea.

Did you know – scientists expect that Franz Josef Glacier will retreat 5 km and lose 38% of its mass by 2100 in a mid-range scenario of warming

“ITHILIEN CAMP”

Ithilien Camp- the no-man’s land between Gondor and Mordor was filmed at the Twelve Mile Delta. It is a river delta of stone and pebbles that is mainly used as a camping/fishing area.

Did you know – It’s a Department of Conservation (DOC) camping area and so is open all the time and free to enter.

“THE MOUNT DOOM”

The Mount Doom is where Frodo and Sam go to destroy the ring. It was shot in Mount Ngauruhoe which lies 25 kilometres to the south of the southern shore of Lake Taupo.

Did you know – Mount Ngauruhoe is an active stratovolcano or composite cone and one of the youngest vents in New Zealand