The Hobbits' Return
The Hobbits' Return follows 20 mapped waypoints, from Minas Tirith to Bag End.
Travellers across this route: Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, Gandalf (with Elrond, Galadriel, Celeborn as far as Eregion).
Follow this journey on the map
Waypoints in order
19 Jul T.A. 3019
Minas Tirith
The funeral escort of King Théoden sets out from the City
Place reference: Minas Tirith (location context, not verification of this date).
late Jul T.A. 3019
Anórien (Great West Road)
The slow procession passes beneath the beacon-hills
Approximate map position.
7–14 Aug T.A. 3019
Edoras (Meduseld)
Théoden buried on 10 Aug; Éomer betroths Éowyn to Faramir; the guests leave on 14 Aug
Approximate map position.
Place reference: Meduseld (location context, not verification of this date).
18 Aug T.A. 3019
Helm's Deep
Legolas is shown the Glittering Caves of Aglarond
Place reference: Helm's Deep (location context, not verification of this date).
22 Aug T.A. 3019
Isengard
Treebeard's Treegarth; Saruman has been let go; Aragorn takes leave at sunset
Place reference: Isengard (location context, not verification of this date).
28 Aug T.A. 3019
Dunland
They overtake Saruman and Wormtongue on the road; Saruman turns towards the Shire
Approximate map position.
c. 3 Sep T.A. 3019
Ford of the Swanfleet (Glanduin)
The old ford east of the falls; into Eregion
Approximate map position.
6–13 Sep T.A. 3019
Hollin, in sight of the Mountains of Moria
A week's halt; Galadriel and Celeborn depart over the Redhorn on 13 Sep
Approximate map position.
mid-Sep T.A. 3019
Northern Hollin
Northward along the mountains' feet
Approximate map position.
21 Sep T.A. 3019
Ford of Bruinen
Across the Loudwater into the valley of Rivendell
Place reference: Ford of Bruinen (location context, not verification of this date).
21 Sep – 5 Oct T.A. 3019
Rivendell
Bilbo's 129th birthday; Bilbo gives Frodo the Red Book
Place reference: Rivendell (location context, not verification of this date).
6 Oct T.A. 3019
Ford of Bruinen (again)
Frodo feels the first return of the Morgul-wound's pain
Place reference: Ford of Bruinen (location context, not verification of this date).
c. 10 Oct T.A. 3019
Trollshaws
Past the stone trolls on the way west
Place reference: Trollshaws (location context, not verification of this date).
c. 14 Oct T.A. 3019
Last Bridge
Over the Hoarwell into the Lone-lands
Place reference: Last Bridge (location context, not verification of this date).
c. 24 Oct T.A. 3019
Weathertop
Frodo will not look at the hill as they pass it
Place reference: Weathertop (location context, not verification of this date).
28–30 Oct T.A. 3019
Bree (The Prancing Pony)
Barliman's troubles; news of ruffians in the Shire
Place reference: The Prancing Pony (location context, not verification of this date).
30 Oct T.A. 3019
Brandywine Bridge
The Travellers find the Bridge gated and guarded by Shirriffs at dark
Place reference: Brandywine Bridge (location context, not verification of this date).
1 Nov T.A. 3019
Frogmorton
Arrested by the Shirriffs at the Shirriff-house
Place reference: Frogmorton (location context, not verification of this date).
2–3 Nov T.A. 3019
Bywater
The Shire is roused; Battle of Bywater on 3 Nov ends the War of the Ring
Place reference: Bywater (location context, not verification of this date).
3 Nov T.A. 3019
Bag End
Saruman slain by Wormtongue at the door of Bag End; the Scouring of the Shire
Place reference: Bag End (location context, not verification of this date).
Sources and further reading
- The Return of the King, Many Partings, Homeward Bound, The Scouring of the Shire; Appendix B
Narrative reading references and chronology