Maps of Movies
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Where The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring says it takes place, and where it was really shot.
Middle-earth is not on any map: Mordor is a ski field, the Shire a farm, Rivendell a park near Wellington
View on the map
Scenes and places
The battle at the foot of Mordor (2001)
The prologue narrates the forging of the Great Rings and a great battle at the foot of Mordor, where the Ring is taken from the Dark Lord. It sets up why the Ring must be found.
Set in Mordor (prologue) — The prologue battle where the Ring is taken from the Dark Lord.
Filmed at Whakapapa skifield, Tongariro National Park — The prologue's Mordor was shot here, on the slopes of Mount Ruapehu. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: Whakapapa village is the base of the ski field; access is by road from National Park.
Bilbo's birthday in the Shire (2001)
Frodo lies reading under a tree until Gandalf's cart arrives. At Bag End Gandalf knocks and Bilbo, about to celebrate his eleventy-first birthday, greets his old friend.
Set in The Shire (Hobbiton) — The village where Bilbo's eleventy-first birthday is celebrated and Frodo's journey starts.
Filmed at Hobbiton Movie Set, Matamata — The Shire's Hobbiton was built on this working farm. Bag End's interior was shot in a Wellington studio. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: A guided tour runs from the Matamata area in Waikato; it is a public tour site.
Gandalf visits Saruman (2001)
Gandalf visits Saruman and the two walk through the tree-lined gardens, then talk in Orthanc about the Ring. Saruman says Sauron is regaining strength.
Set in Isengard — Saruman's tower, where Gandalf comes to ask for counsel about the Ring.
Filmed at Harcourt Park, Upper Hutt — The gardens of Isengard were shot in this park. The coordinate is the Upper Hutt city centre, not the park itself. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: The park is on Akatarawa Road, Upper Hutt, north of Wellington.
The hobbits hide from the Black Rider (2001)
The hobbits leave the road and hide as a dark rider approaches.
Set in The road to Bree — The hobbits leave the road and hide as a rider approaches.
Filmed at Mount Victoria, Wellington — The 'Get off the road' scene was shot off Alexandra Road on this hill. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: A short walk from central Wellington; Alexandra Road runs along the ridge.
The Prancing Pony at Bree (2001)
The four hobbits reach the gate of Bree at night and are let in by a surly gatekeeper. In the Prancing Pony they wait for Gandalf's friend while strangers watch them.
Set in Bree — The hobbits reach Bree at night and wait for Gandalf's friend.
Filmed at Fort Dorset, Seatoun, Wellington — Bree was built on this old army base. The site has since been demolished. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there:
Weathertop under attack (2001)
On the summit ring of broken stones the hobbits stand back-to-back as five Ringwraiths close in. Sam's sword shatters and Frodo is tempted to put on the Ring.
Set in Weathertop — The ruined hilltop where the hobbits are cornered by the Ringwraiths.
Filmed at Limestone outcrops south of Port Waikato — Weathertop footage was shot in these outcrops. The coordinate is the town of Port Waikato. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: Port Waikato is about an hour south of Auckland; the outcrops lie just south of the village.
Arwen at the Ford of Bruinen (2001)
A white horse leaps into the shallow river and Arwen turns to face the nine riders across the ford. She calls on the river and the water begins to rise.
Set in Ford of Bruinen — Arwen carries Frodo to the river and turns to face the nine riders.
Filmed at Arrow River, Skippers Canyon, Otago — The ford scene was shot at a ford across this river. The coordinate is the river as listed in Wikidata. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: The Skippers Canyon road starts near Queenstown; access is by guided tour or 4WD.
The Council of Elrond (2001)
Frodo wakes recovering in Rivendell, and Elrond summons a council of Elves, Dwarves and Men. Frodo places the Ring on a stone plinth and Boromir reacts in shock.
Set in Rivendell — Frodo recovers and Elrond calls a council on the Ring.
Filmed at Kaitoke Regional Park, Upper Hutt — The exterior shots of Rivendell were filmed in this park. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: The park is north of Upper Hutt; there is a car park and walking trails by the Hutt River.
Through the Mines of Moria (2001)
The Fellowship passes through Moria and runs for the bridge of Khazad-dum, chased by a Balrog.
Set in Moria (Khazad-dum) — The Fellowship runs through the dwarf mines.
The golden forest of Lothlorien (2001)
The Fellowship enters a golden forest, and Gimli warns of an elf-witch. Galadriel shows Frodo a mirror in a silver basin.
Set in Lothlorien — The Fellowship rests in the Elven wood.
Filmed at Paradise, near Glenorchy, Otago — Lothlorien scenes were shot near Paradise. The coordinate is the village of Glenorchy, not Paradise itself. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: Paradise Road runs north-west from Glenorchy at the head of Lake Wakatipu.
The shore of Amon Hen (2001)
The Fellowship lands on the shore of Nen Hithoel and climbs the slopes of Amon Hen. On the hillside below, Uruk-hai led by Lurtz hunt the halflings.
Set in Amon Hen / Parth Galen — The Fellowship lands on the shore below the seat of seeing.
Filmed at Paradise, near Glenorchy, Otago (Parth Galen) — Wikipedia's filming table lists Parth Galen at Paradise. Coordinate is Glenorchy village. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: Paradise Road from Glenorchy.
Filmed at North Mavora Lake, Southland — A fan tour log places Parth Galen in the Mavora Lakes region. Sources disagree. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: Remote lakes on a gravel road; check access.
Filmed at Closeburn, Lake Wakatipu (Amon Hen) — Amon Hen was shot on a pine-forested peninsula near Closeburn. The coordinate is the village. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: The location is described as inaccessible.
Filmed at Mount Ngauruhoe, Tongariro — Mount Doom Google Maps · Apple Maps
Filmed at Tākaka Hill — Chetwood Forest Google Maps · Apple Maps
Filmed at Mount Owen — Dimrill Dale Google Maps · Apple Maps
Characters
- Frodo — A young hobbit of the Shire who inherits the Ring.
- Gandalf — The wizard who guides the Ring's bearer.
- Aragorn — A Ranger who meets the hobbits at Bree and travels with them.
- Arwen — An Elf who rides to bring Frodo to Rivendell.