Caradhras

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Place from Tolkien's Legendarium
Name Caradhras
Description peak
Constructed by Morgoth, when the Misty Mountains were raised
Realm(s) The Misty Mountains
 

In the fictional universe of J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, Caradhras, also called the Redhorn (the literal English translation of the Sindarin name), is one of the mightiest peaks in the Misty Mountains.

The Redhorn Pass attempted by the Nine Walkers on their quest for Mount Doom lay beneath its slopes, linking the former Noldorin realm of Eregion in the west to the Dimrill Dale and hence the Vale of Anduin in the east.

After the fall of Khazad-dûm, this pass was predominantly used by Elves travelling between Lórien and Eriador.

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Caradhras (Barazinbar in Khuzdul, the language of the Dwarves) was one of the Mountains of Moria, the three mountains beneath which the great Dwarf palace of Khazad-dûm was built. Caradhras was also the site on Middle-earth where mithril was found. It was here, though, that miners found Durin's Bane, the Balrog of Moria.

Caradhras was called the Cruel by the Dwarves and had long had a bad reputation. The Redhorn Pass (also called the Redhorn Gate) was known to be treacherous. It was on this pass that Celebrían, the wife of Elrond, was captured by Orcs. This was also the pass used by the Hobbits migrating from Gladden Fields into Eriador.


Mountains from J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium
Ranges:  Crissaegrim | Echoriath | Ephel Dúath | Ered Engrin | Ered Gorgoroth | Ered Lithui | Ered Luin | Ered Lómin | Ered Mithrin | Ered Nimrais | Ered Wethrin | Hithaeglir | Iron Hills | Orocarni | Mountains of Angmar | Pelóri
Notable peaks:  Amon Anwar | Caradhras | Celebdil | Erebor | Fanuidhol | Meneltarma | Methedras | Mindolluin | Mount Dolmed | Mount Gram | Mount Gundabad | Mount Rerir | Orodruin | Starkhorn | Taniquetil | Thangorodrim
Notable passes:  Aglon | Calacirya | Cirith Gorgor | Cirith Ungol | Cirith Forn en Andrath | Redhorn Pass