The Lord of the Rings
The Ride of the Rohirrim
Théoden, Éowyn and Merry
Six thousand spears ride from Dunharrow to Minas Tirith in five days to break the siege
- Distance
- 320 miles · 515 km
- days
- 6
- Places
- 5
The Rohirrim covered about 100 leagues, roughly 300 miles, in five days, riding from Dunharrow on March 10, TA 3019 and reaching the Pelennor Fields at dawn on March 15.
Gondor's red arrow reached Dunharrow on March 9, TA 3019, and Theoden answered it. The full muster of Rohan, close to six thousand riders, had gathered in the mountain refuge above Harrowdale, and on the morning of March 10 they set out east.
The road is the simplest of the great journeys to trace on the map. It runs down out of Harrowdale, past Edoras, and onto the Great West Road that follows the northern edge of the White Mountains all the way to the Rammas Echor around the Pelennor. In peace it is a straight and easy ride. In March TA 3019 the eastern end of it was held by the enemy: the Rammas was broken, an army of Orcs and Easterlings was camped across the road at the Stonewain crossing, and a smoke and darkness out of Mordor lay over the whole country.
The solution comes from a people almost no one in Rohan believed existed. Ghan-buri-Ghan, headman of the Woses of the Drudan Forest, offers to lead the host along a forgotten road through the trees, the old Stonewain Valley cut by Gondor's masons long ago, bypassing the enemy entirely. The Rohirrim ride it single file through darkness, and come out on the Pelennor with the defenders' walls already stormed.
What happens at dawn on March 15 is the hinge of the whole war in the west. The horns of Rohan sound as the Witch-king is breaking the Great Gate of Minas Tirith, and the siege is thrown into confusion. Theoden rides down the chieftain of Harad, then falls under his own horse when the Witch-king's winged beast strikes him.
And riding in that host are two people who are not supposed to be there. Dernhelm is Eowyn, who was ordered to stay and govern, and she has Merry up behind her. Between them they kill the Lord of the Nazgul, which no man could have done.
Frequently asked questions
What route did the Rohirrim take to Minas Tirith?
From Dunharrow down Harrowdale past Edoras, east along the Great West Road under the White Mountains, then through the Drudan Forest by the Stonewain Valley to avoid the enemy blocking the road.
How long did the Ride of the Rohirrim take?
The host left Dunharrow on March 10, TA 3019 and arrived at dawn on March 15, covering about 100 leagues. The hardest riding was done in a little over three days.
Who guided the Rohirrim past the enemy?
Ghan-buri-Ghan, headman of the Woses of the Drudan Forest, showed them the old Stonewain Valley road, a paved way cut by Gondor's masons and long forgotten.
Route, stop by stop
-
01 · TA 3019, March 10
Dunharrow
The full muster of Rohan gathers in the mountain refuge. Hirgon of Gondor brings the Red Arrow, Aragorn has already gone into the Paths of the Dead, and Theoden orders the host east at once, leaving Merry behind.
-
02 · TA 3019, March 10 to 11
Edoras
The riders come down out of Harrowdale past the king's hall and turn onto the Great West Road. Merry rides hidden before Dernhelm, who says nothing, and the darkness out of Mordor spreads over the plain as they go.
-
03 · TA 3019, March 14
Drúadan Forest
With the Rammas broken and the road ahead held, Ghan-buri-Ghan of the Woses offers a guide. The host rides the forgotten Stonewain Valley road through the trees in single file, and drums beat in the hills behind them.
-
04 · TA 3019, March 15, dawn
Pelennor Fields
The Rohirrim come out onto the townlands as the Great Gate is broken. Theoden sounds the charge, scatters the southern cavalry, and kills the chieftain of Harad before the Witch-king's beast brings his horse down on him.
-
05 · TA 3019, March 15
Minas Tirith
Eowyn stands over the dying king and kills the winged beast, and Merry stabs the Witch-king behind the knee so she can strike the crown. Theoden dies naming Eomer king, and the battle turns again when Aragorn's ships reach the Harlond.