Syndication Feed
Mordor
Overall Rating: 
Access Rating:
Vehicle Requirements: Any
FROM THE BOOK
Mordor (the Black Land): After the destruction of the strongholds of evil in the north of Middle-earth at the end of the First Age, Sauron fled southwards seeking new lands. At the end of the first millennium of the Second Age, he chose a land walled by mountains, and there built his great fortress of Barad-dûr. After Sauron settled there, the land became known as Mordor (the Black Land) - no record of an earlier name for this region exists.
Mordor was filmed in two locations: Tongariro National Park (which I visited) and the Whakapapa Ski Field (which I visited too). To be honest they’re pretty much the same place.
The book talks about the Grand Chateau, which the crew stayed in during filming, but you pass it on the way to the Whakapapa Ski Field, which is the most identifiable area of Mordor.
After the long drive up to the ski field (on a tarmac-covered road no less), you can park up and go exploring the area on foot. The whole area is reminiscent of Mordor and was used for both the opening battle in FOTR and the climactic battle in ROTK.
GPS would be useful to identify locations precisely and some sturdy boots to cope with the volcanic rocks. Also, this is best seen in the spring/summer months as it’s covered in snow otherwise – as you’d expect with a ski field.
