Dunharrow

It was a refuge of the Rohirrim, hidden in the deep vales of the White Mountains and fortified against attack.

Dunharrow as a refuge actually predated Rohan by several centuries: it had first been used as a refuge by the Middle Men of the White Mountains in the Second Age. Here they fled from the dark forces of Sauron, or the equally hostile Númenóreans.

After the foundation of Gondor the Dúnedain seemed not to have used Dunharrow, instead opting to use the fortresses at Aglarond, Angrenost and along the Anduin to secure Calenardhon.

Dunharrow proper was a clifftop overlooking the valley of the river Snowbourn, Harrowdale. To reach the refuge, a winding path had to be used, known as the Stair of the Hold. This path was lined with statues known as the Púkel-men — statues originally carved by the Men of the White Mountains, in the likeness of the Drúedain. After the stair was the Firienfeld, a large grassy area where in the War of the Ring Théoden King had his camps.

Large carved stones marked the entrance to the Dimholt, a dark forest on the mountain slopes of Irensaga, Starkhorn, and Dwimorberg. After the Dimholt was a natural amphitheater, which led into the Paths of the Dead.