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

Bêthberry · 11-24-2008, 03:15 PM

Well, see, I suppose such places are powerful enough not to need dressing up in dragon-imagination to make them awesome.

And, really, they can simply be climbed and hiked, although this one, Whistlers Mountain, does have a tram for part of the way for those unwilling to take a real hike. You can imagine Bethberry at the top here, as I've hiked it twice, and the glue in my photoalbum won't let go so I can't scan my own pictures and post them.

In fact, you can just about hike the whole chain of the Rocky Mountains, from Jasper to Banff, from Whistlers, ( Jasper Hiking) pretending you're on your way to Rohan, including tramping through a snow storm and imagining those dark shadows of clouds on the distant ground are massing groups of orcs.

Lalwendë · 11-24-2008, 04:16 PM

Tch. You would be impressed if you saw a hill that looked like a sleeping dragon, you cannot tell me otherwise

Plus there's a pub nearby called The Quiet Woman that bears the sign of a headless lady, which is amusing in a sinister kind of League Of Gentlemen way (with the bonus it's frequented by folk musicians and general beardy types)

And for anyone who fancies it, I've found walk details which include both ale house and dragon-like hill:
http://www.derbyshire-peakdistrict.c...rndalewalk.htm
I may even sample that one myself...

Trams up mountains are a good idea - though strangely, more for going down again than going up. Going up just makes you tired and out of breath, but going down gives you vertigo and makes you scared you're going to break your neck. There's some true Lalwende-logic for you

mark12_30 · 11-25-2008, 01:04 PM

If it's mountains we want, I must cast my 'vote' for the Olympics, as seen from Hurricane Ridge.

Hurricane Ridge is both bare enough (and hikable enough) to be hobbity, but, the views of the rest of the Olympics are majestic enough. Misty Mountains indeed.

And the lakes are jewels, Durin.

Lalwendë · 11-25-2008, 02:35 PM

Actually, that second link makes me think of one thing only - the Firienfeld in Rohan! It's a dead ringer for what's inside my head.

If you want to see something that always makes me think of maybe the approach to Moria, then a walk to Gordale Scar is a good one:
http://www.walkingenglishman.com/dales17.htm

That's probably one of the most walked routes in the UK - I was taken on this one when I was a child and we ended up under a wall with the sheep, sheltering from a sudden thunderstorm. And here's a Romantic painting of said landscape beast:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:James_Ward_001.jpg

Though it's just like a garden feature to you Americans :P

Bêthberry · 11-25-2008, 03:01 PM

I think the issue, Lal, might be that us North Americans don't have the likes of The Quiet Woman pub to start us off on our hikes.

Those are great pictures, Helen, much more suitable than Mount Baker, which I first hiked as a young lass of eight, when my four year old brother climbed three feet up a tree and then couldn't get down.

By the by, Canada apparently has more lakes than the entire rest of the world combined, so I must find me some lake pictures that don't look like muskeg or moose meadow. Surely there are some.

Lalwendë · 11-25-2008, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

I think the issue, Lal, might be that us North Americans don't have the likes of The Quiet Woman pub to start us off on our hikes.

Are you suggesting that beer consumption may have something to do with seeing sleeping dragons in the fields?

Raefindel · 12-16-2008, 01:10 AM

I have hiked on a trail on the Oregon coast that is actually called "The Hobbit Trail".

It is mossy and the bushes arch over the trail and form a "tunnel". It reminds me of the trails to the Withywindle.

Hobbit Trail

Azaelia of Willowbottom · 03-01-2009, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark12_30

If it's mountains we want, I must cast my 'vote' for the Olympics, as seen from Hurricane Ridge.

Hurricane Ridge is both bare enough (and hikable enough) to be hobbity, but, the views of the rest of the Olympics are majestic enough. Misty Mountains indeed.

And the lakes are jewels, Durin.

Oooh, yes. I went out to Olympic National Park when visiting my aunt in summer 2006. It really was amazing. The landscape out there that the pictures capture is so very different and beautiful; untamed and so much wilder and fresher than the eastern part of the States, where I'm from.

Along the same thought, on the same trip, we encountered the Hoh rainforest, which I must say reminds me a bit of Fangorn, perhaps: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ho...Rainforest.jpg
http://3dparks.wr.usgs.gov/olympic/images/oly494.jpg

It really does look like that. Fantastic. I kept expecting to find an Ent around the next turn in the trail. I want to go back there someday.

kementari · 03-02-2009, 05:45 AM

Oh come to New Zealand. There are wicked tracks to walk!! Beech forest lies low and is accessable off most roads.

I've recently moved to the South Island have seen some spectacular landscapes...Rohan, where there's huge rocks poking out from ground, and in the background towering hills. Walking through the forest and river beds reminds me of Arwen's race to Rivendell.

Raefindel · 03-02-2009, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azaelia of Willowbottom

Oooh, yes. I went out to Olympic National Park when visiting my aunt in summer 2006. It really was amazing. The landscape out there that the pictures capture is so very different and beautiful; untamed and so much wilder and fresher than the eastern part of the States, where I'm from.

Along the same thought, on the same trip, we encountered the Hoh rainforest, which I must say reminds me a bit of Fangorn, perhaps: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ho...Rainforest.jpg
http://3dparks.wr.usgs.gov/olympic/images/oly494.jpg

It really does look like that. Fantastic. I kept expecting to find an Ent around the next turn in the trail. I want to go back there someday.

Actually, Azaelia, The Hoh Rainforest is part of the Olympic National Park. It is unique in all the world because it has 3 different climate zones in one park: The Mountains, the Temperate Rainforests and the Beaches.

I do enjoy the hiking in the the rainforest, but I have to say that the Mountains are by far, my favorite.

mark12_30 · 03-02-2009, 09:05 PM

I want to see mountains again, Gandalf. Mountains! And find someplace where I can finish my book!

Raefindel · 03-03-2009, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark12_30

I want to see mountains again, Gandalf. Mountains! And find someplace where I can finish my book!

My Teen-aged Elfling is anxious to hike with us again.

11-24-2008, 03:15 PM	#1
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	Well, see, I suppose such places are powerful enough not to need dressing up in dragon-imagination to make them awesome. And, really, they can simply be climbed and hiked, although this one, Whistlers Mountain, does have a tram for part of the way for those unwilling to take a real hike. You can imagine Bethberry at the top here, as I've hiked it twice, and the glue in my photoalbum won't let go so I can't scan my own pictures and post them. In fact, you can just about hike the whole chain of the Rocky Mountains, from Jasper to Banff, from Whistlers, ( Jasper Hiking) pretending you're on your way to Rohan, including tramping through a snow storm and imagining those dark shadows of clouds on the distant ground are massing groups of orcs. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

11-24-2008, 04:16 PM	#2
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	Tch. You would be impressed if you saw a hill that looked like a sleeping dragon, you cannot tell me otherwise Plus there's a pub nearby called The Quiet Woman that bears the sign of a headless lady, which is amusing in a sinister kind of League Of Gentlemen way (with the bonus it's frequented by folk musicians and general beardy types) And for anyone who fancies it, I've found walk details which include both ale house and dragon-like hill: http://www.derbyshire-peakdistrict.c...rndalewalk.htm I may even sample that one myself... Trams up mountains are a good idea - though strangely, more for going down again than going up. Going up just makes you tired and out of breath, but going down gives you vertigo and makes you scared you're going to break your neck. There's some true Lalwende-logic for you __________________ Gordon's alive!

11-25-2008, 01:04 PM	#3
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	If it's mountains we want, I must cast my 'vote' for the Olympics, as seen from Hurricane Ridge. Hurricane Ridge is both bare enough (and hikable enough) to be hobbity, but, the views of the rest of the Olympics are majestic enough. Misty Mountains indeed. And the lakes are jewels, Durin. __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.

11-25-2008, 02:35 PM	#4
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	Actually, that second link makes me think of one thing only - the Firienfeld in Rohan! It's a dead ringer for what's inside my head. If you want to see something that always makes me think of maybe the approach to Moria, then a walk to Gordale Scar is a good one: http://www.walkingenglishman.com/dales17.htm That's probably one of the most walked routes in the UK - I was taken on this one when I was a child and we ended up under a wall with the sheep, sheltering from a sudden thunderstorm. And here's a Romantic painting of said landscape beast: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:James_Ward_001.jpg Though it's just like a garden feature to you Americans :P __________________ Gordon's alive!

11-25-2008, 03:01 PM	#5
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	I think the issue, Lal, might be that us North Americans don't have the likes of The Quiet Woman pub to start us off on our hikes. Those are great pictures, Helen, much more suitable than Mount Baker, which I first hiked as a young lass of eight, when my four year old brother climbed three feet up a tree and then couldn't get down. By the by, Canada apparently has more lakes than the entire rest of the world combined, so I must find me some lake pictures that don't look like muskeg or moose meadow. Surely there are some. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

12-16-2008, 01:10 AM	#7
Raefindel Sword of the Spirit Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,313	I have hiked on a trail on the Oregon coast that is actually called "The Hobbit Trail". It is mossy and the bushes arch over the trail and form a "tunnel". It reminds me of the trails to the Withywindle. Hobbit Trail __________________ Blessed be the Lord my Strength, Who trained my hands for war and my fingers to fight. Psallm 144:1

03-02-2009, 05:45 AM	#9
kementari Haunting Spirit Join Date: May 2003 Location: Amongst the Ferns: New Zealand Posts: 56	New Zealand Oh come to New Zealand. There are wicked tracks to walk!! Beech forest lies low and is accessable off most roads. I've recently moved to the South Island have seen some spectacular landscapes...Rohan, where there's huge rocks poking out from ground, and in the background towering hills. Walking through the forest and river beds reminds me of Arwen's race to Rivendell. __________________ ~ Kementari ~ Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo. Last edited by kementari; 03-02-2009 at 05:52 AM.

03-02-2009, 09:05 PM	#11
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	I want to see mountains again, Gandalf. Mountains! And find someplace where I can finish my book! __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.